23
PDI
10.5 mi
DISTANCE
3,687 ft
GAINED
6.7 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Passo Mortirolo from Edolo is the longest and mildest of the pass's four paved approaches: 16.8 km (10.5 mi) and 1,124 m (3,687 ft) of gain at a 6.7% average grade, compared to the double-digit averages of the Mazzo di Valtellina and Tovo sides. Don't mistake "mildest" for easy, though - the steepest quarter mile still averages 13.0%, and the road never really flattens for long.
This is also the side with the deepest Giro d'Italia roots: it's the route that first carried Mortirolo into the race in 1990, years before Marco Pantani's legendary 1994 attack turned the Mazzo side into a global cycling icon. Edolo has returned to the Giro repeatedly since - 2017, 2022, 2024, and again in 2025 - making it the pass's second-most-used approach in race history after Mazzo.
The road shares its first few kilometers with the climb to Passo di Gavia before turning off toward Monno, a small mountain village about a third of the way up, then continues through narrow, forested switchbacks - including a stretch enclosed by trees on both sides between roughly km 9 and 14 - before opening out near the historic church of San Giacomo around km 15 and the final push to the top.
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 Edolo to the Mortirolo summit, the climb covers 16.8 km (10.5 mi) and gains 1,124 m (3,687 ft) at a 6.7% average grade - noticeably milder on paper than the pass's other three approaches.
That mild average hides real ramps: the steepest quarter mile averages 13.0%, and the steepest 100 yards reaches 13.9%. The steepest continuous 10 km still averages 7.7%, so while there's more genuine recovery here than on the Mazzo or Tovo sides, this is still a long, demanding climb rather than a gentle one.
Roadway: Paved the entire way and generally in good condition. From Edolo, the road shares its lower kilometers with the approach to Passo di Gavia before turning left at about km 4.5 onto the SP 81 toward Monno and the Mortirolo summit. Like the rest of the Mortirolo-Gavia road network, the upper stretch is a seasonal mountain road that typically closes with the first serious snowfall and reopens by late April - check current status before a shoulder-season ride.
Traffic: Light overall, though the shared opening kilometers with the Gavia road can carry a bit more traffic than the other Mortirolo approaches before the SP 81 turnoff toward Monno splits the routes apart. Above that point it settles into the same quiet mountain-road character as the rest of the pass.
Parking: Edolo has ordinary town parking near the base of the climb. Because this side shares a start with Passo di Gavia, Edolo is a practical base for riders looking to tackle both of the Val Camonica's signature passes from the same town without moving hotels.
At 16.8 km (10.5 mi), this is the longest of Mortirolo's four approaches, so plan fueling accordingly even though the average grade is mild - Monno, a little under a third of the way up, is the last reliable spot for water before the summit.
The milder average grade doesn't mean easier gearing needs: the steepest pitches here still hit double digits, so don't leave the compact crankset at home just because the overall number looks friendlier than the other sides.
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.
Edolo and nearby Ponte di Legno, a few miles up the valley, both make practical bases - Ponte di Legno in particular is a well-established cycling hub for riders combining Mortirolo with the Gavia and Stelvio passes on the same trip, with a fuller range of hotels and bike-friendly services.
With four separate paved routes converging on the same summit, Mortirolo rewards a multi-day visit - our Routes in the Area tool is a good way to see the other three approaches (Mazzo di Valtellina, Grosio, and Tovo) from here.
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