Italian Alps Road Bike Tour

Welcome! Spend today settling in, getting your bike ready, and enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Starting off from Bormio, the first stage of the tour will be the least demanding pass of the week, Gavia Pass. One of the highest mountain passes in Europe, it represents one of the epic climbs of the Giro d’Italia and is the home of unforgettable images shown around the world of exhausted cyclists in the snow in some editions of the Giro. Today, you won’t be battling quite the same conditions!

Head towards Santa Caterina on a wide road which narrows and becomes demanding. This very special ride alternates easy stretches that allow you to enjoy the beautiful view with demanding sections. After the effort of the climb, face the descent to enter the province of Brescia at a famous ski resort in the splendid Valle Camonica. This valley is well-known for its rock etchings and prehistoric remains that led to the area becoming the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Italy in 1979.

Descending the valley, you reach Monno, where you’ll ascend Mortirolo Pass.This side of this epic pass is easier than the Valtellina side, but after you’ve done Gavia Pass, it will be a great challenge. Descend to Bormio for food and wine.

After breakfast, transfer to Tirano where the climb starts off steep to reach Lake Poschiavo. Here you’ll get your breath back for a moment. You’ll be cycling through a significant difference in altitude, but the breathtaking landscapes and fabulous scenery of the Bernina glaciers will inspire you. Should you need a rest, the minibus is always there.

Cycle over a Swiss pass that connects the Valtellina and Upper Engadine. Here you have a spectacular panoramic view towards the Alpine peaks of Pizzo Bernina (4049m) Pizzo Palù (3906m) and the Morteratsch (3751m) with its imposing glacier. After this spectacular pass you’ll head to Livigno, a beautiful mountain village called Little Tibet.

The last climb of the day takes you to Foscagno Pass where you start the descent towards Bormio. As a reward, you can expect an excellent dinner paired with local wines.

Just like professional cyclists during the big races, your team needs a relaxing day to recover some energy. Immediately after breakfast, with the bikes on the minibus, head for the lower Valtellina. Today’s ride is an easy trip completely on the flat. Enjoying the incomparable beauty of Lake Como, you will arrive in Varenna and then reach Bellagio by boat.

In Bellagio, start a climb towards the famous Madonna del Ghisallo, the Patron Saint of Cyclists. Then, return to Bellagio where the ferry will transfer you to Menaggio. From here, riding on the east shores, you will conclude the day.

Full of energy once again, take the minibus to Mazzo, the starting point today. Today you’ll cycle one of the most popular but also hardest ascents in Europe; it became famous when it was included in the Giro d’Italia route in 1990. It was here that, in 1994, the great Marco Pantani broke free, winning the stage, and in memory of the epic endeavours of the “Pirate,” a monument was placed in his honor at kilometre 8 on the Valtellina side in 2006.

Passo del Mortirolo is “the pass of all passes,” where the toughest, most important battles of the Giro d’Italia are fought. You too will have the opportunity to try out this ascent, always with the minibus there for support should it be required. Return via a different route through Trivigno to reach the Aprica Pass. Thoroughly deserved after so much effort, a fine dinner awaits.

A generous breakfast will help you face the last of your epic climbs from Bormio to the Stelvio Pass. This is the highest Italian pass open to motorised vehicles and connects the Valtellina with Val Venosta in the province of Bolzano. An impressive series of hairpin bends and breathtaking nature write the story of this famous climb. The grandeur and majesty of the Ortler, with its huge glaciers, will be the reward for your efforts. Head downhill to visit the Trentino side from Prato dello Stelvio, then up to the fortified town of Glorenza, a few kilometers from the Swiss border.

After passing the Swiss border, another epic ascent is waiting: Umbrail Pass.From the top of this pass you will return to Bormio for dinner.

After a challenging but overwhelmingly rewarding week, you’ll pack up and head home. Safe travels!