24.7
PDI
15.6 mi
DISTANCE
4,385 ft
GAINED
5.3 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Passo di Gavia from Bormio is a 25.1 km (15.6 mi) climb that gains 1,337 m (4,385 ft) at a 5.3% average grade, from 1,254 m (4,114 ft) in Bormio toward the pass at 2,621 m (8,599 ft); our route data tops out at 2,579 m (8,461 ft). It ranks 102nd in Italy by our difficulty rankings. This is the much easier route to the top of the pass: there is no tunnel and the average is milder than the 8% from Ponte di Legno, though the upper road is far from easy.
The road follows the Frodolfo torrent up the Valfurva, climbs through ten tight switchbacks beginning around km 12 (mile 7.5), passes Santa Caterina Valfurva at 1,736 m (5,696 ft) and the Rifugio Berni, and finishes with a narrow, steep-sided stretch around km 19-24 and open riding to Lago Bianco near the top. It is a very nice out-and-back with the Ponte di Legno side tacked on - 80 km (50 mi) with 2,743 m (9,000 ft) of climbing.
The Gavia is fully paved, with its bends resurfaced in 2022. It first appeared in the Giro d'Italia in 1960 on a stage from Trento to Bormio, and on 5 June 1988 the race crossed it in a snowstorm, the day Andy Hampsten took the pink jersey on his way to winning the Giro.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. From Bormio the climb covers 25.1 km (15.6 mi) and gains 1,337 m (4,385 ft) at 5.3%, with only about 18 m (60 ft) of descending along the way.
That average hides an irregular climb: the lower valley road is gentle, then the grade steps up in earnest on the switchbacks and above. The steepest 500 m (0.3 mi) averages 10.8% and the steepest kilometer 10.1% (0.6 mi); our steepest kilometer begins around km 19 (mile 12). The steepest 2 km (1.2 mi) averages 8.9%, the steepest 5 km (3.1 mi) 8.0% and the steepest 10 km (6.2 mi) 7.4%, so the upper half of the climb is considerably harder than the 5.3% headline suggests.
Roadway: A two-lane road in good condition with a solid center stripe and no shoulder. It is fully paved, with the bends resurfaced in 2022, and narrows through the forest switchbacks and the steep-sided stretch around km 19-24. The pass is closed by snow in winter and is typically passable from around early June into autumn - the first car-free day of 2026 was June 5 - so check conditions before a spring or fall visit.
Traffic: Moderate - not as heavy as the more famous route up to Passo Stelvio, but with heavy motorcycle traffic once the road opens. On the car-free days, motor traffic is banned from 9:00 to 13:00, starting from Santa Caterina Valfurva and Sant'Apollonia (5 June and 30 August in 2026); the lower valley road from Bormio is not closed.
Parking: On our trips to Bormio we have always started from our hotel. However, there are several places to park in Bormio - probably the best and closest location to the start of the climb is at the Bormio Tram parking lot 750 meters (0.5 mi) south of the climb start and just over the Adda River bridge - Map; Street View. To skip the valley road, you can also start from Santa Caterina Valfurva, about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Bormio.
Provisions: The Rifugio Arnaldo Berni (2,541 m / 8,337 ft) on the Gavia road has a bar and kitchen and is open from 20 June to 20 September; the Rifugio Bonetta (2,600 m / 8,530 ft) is also on the Gavia road near the top. Santa Caterina Valfurva has hotels and restaurants, including some listed just above the village on the Gavia road, and Bormio has everything before the start. Fill bottles before the upper climb, where services are seasonal.
Gear: A compact crankset is a good idea given the 10.8% steepest 500 m and the sustained 8% stretches. The summit is at 2,621 m (8,599 ft), so pack a windproof, arm warmers and gloves for the descent even on a hot day in Bormio; one reviewer found it freezing at the top while it reached 30 °C in the valley.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
See our Bormio, Italy climb area page for the top bike climbs in this area (including Gavia and Mortirolo). Also consider this climb along with the world famous Passo dello Stelvio as an out and back which we did one time and thoroughly enjoyed - 94 kilometers (58.4 mi) gaining 3,415 meters (11,204 ft) (Map).
Timing a trip around the car-free days is worth it: in 2026 the Gavia was closed to motor traffic from 9:00 to 13:00 on Friday 5 June and Sunday 30 August, the day after the Stelvio's Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina event on 29 August, so the two can be ridden back to back.
Santa Caterina Valfurva, about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Bormio, is a ski resort that co-hosted the Alpine World Championships with Bormio in 1985 and 2005. The Forni glacier valley above it, with the Rifugio Stella Alpina and Rifugio Forni, is a good rest-day walk. To see the other climbs around Bormio, or build a custom route from here, try our Routes in the Area tool.
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jbm1102
Road closed to motor vehicles today. Climbed both sides of pass. Agree that from Ponte di Legno is breathtaking! This is still great climb. Heavy motorcycle traffic after roads opened.
Cyclopaat
The 'easier' end, but it's also more irregular and past Santa Caterina it's not easy at all. During all but one of my ascends, it was freezing cold - on a summer's day, with up to 30 degrees (C) in Bormio.
