33.9
PDI
9.8 mi
DISTANCE
4,516 ft
GAINED
8.5 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Trivigno is one of several ways up from the Valtellina valley floor to the high ridge behind the Mortirolo, and by most measures it's the quieter alternative to the famous pass itself. From Tirano, the road climbs 9.8 miles and gains 4,516 feet at an 8.5% average grade to the ridge near Alpe Trivigno, around 6,000 feet.
Unlike the Mortirolo's brutal, unbroken pitch, this route levels off once you're up on the ridge, running along a scenic balcony road for several more miles toward Monte Padrio - riders continuing in that direction eventually connect with the Mortirolo (Passo di Foppa) itself, one of the most famous climbs in Italy and a regular Giro d'Italia summit finish in the valley below.
Views are limited through the lower, forested miles out of Tirano, opening up considerably once you're above the treeline on the ridge, where the Valtellina and surrounding peaks come into view. Traffic thins to almost nothing up here - one of the appeals of choosing this route over the far busier Mortirolo.
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. The climb averages 8.5% over 9.8 miles to the ridge near Alpe Trivigno, with the steepest ramps concentrated in the lower, forested kilometers out of Tirano - the toughest five-kilometer stretch of this ascent averages above 15%, with several individual hairpins running into the high teens. The grade moderates considerably once the road breaks out onto the open ridge above the trees, in contrast to the sustained, unrelenting pitch of the nearby Mortirolo.
Roadway: The road is paved the entire way but narrow, typical of the high balcony roads in this part of the Valtellina - expect a single lane with passing places in spots rather than full two-way width, especially through the switchbacks in the trees. No closures specific to this road were found as of 2026, but as with most high Alpine roads in the region, landslide- or snow-related closures can happen with little notice, so it's worth checking conditions before an early- or late-season ride.
Traffic: Very light throughout - this is one of the quietest ways up onto the ridge behind the Mortirolo, and it's common to finish the climb without seeing another car. That quiet is a big part of the appeal compared with the far busier Mortirolo itself.
Parking: Tirano is the largest town in this part of the Valtellina, with a full range of hotels, restaurants, and services. Unlike some of the other approaches to this ridge that start from smaller villages a drive up the valley, this route begins right in Tirano itself, so there's no need to drive to a trailhead - street parking is available around town near the base of the climb.
Tirano has full services - bike shops, cafes, grocery stores - for stocking up before you start. Once you leave town there's nothing until the ridge, and no cafe or rifugio at the top of this particular pass, so carry all the food and water you'll need for the ride (or continue on toward Monte Padrio and the Mortirolo if you're combining routes, where services are similarly sparse). Given the narrow, occasionally patchy pavement, slightly wider tires are a reasonable choice.
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.
Tirano makes a convenient overnight base - see our Passo Mortirolo (Tovo) page for more on the town's hotels, restaurants, and train connections, since it's the same base town for several climbs in this valley.
What's specific to this route: strong riders often link Trivigno with Monte Padrio and the Mortirolo itself for a full loop over the ridge, since the road continues past Alpe Trivigno toward Passo di Foppa rather than dead-ending - our Routes in the Area tool is a good way to see the other approaches to the Mortirolo from this same valley.
If you're not continuing on, this climb alone is a much quieter way to see the same high country the Mortirolo crowds pack onto its own road.
Tirano also sits in the Valtellina wine region, known for Nebbiolo-based reds like Valtellina Superiore and Sforzato - worth a stop at a local enoteca before or after the ride.
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Cyclopaat
If you think this is a lot easier than the Mortirolo, think again. Not a lot of views until higher up - if you continue around Monte Padrio to the Mortirolo summit, you do get views down the valley on that 'balcony road', which is twisting and turning unpredictably, but as there's close to no traffic, it's okay.
