With an altitude of 2,621m, the Passo di Gavia is ranked 6th in the list of highest paved passes in Europe, if the Galibier is ranked without the loop over the tunnel.
The Gavia is frequently included in the Giro d’Italia – as Cima Coppi if the Stelvio or Agnel are not in it too – and it is legendary for the “ride from hell” in 1988’s edition.
You would do well to inform yourself about the weather conditions, specifically those higher up the mountain.
Even with good weather in the valley, it’s not uncommon that the weather in the upper half of the climb is less comfortable.
Towards the end of all my ascents so far, I was forced to change clothing in the biting cold and even so, I was glad I could get inside the warm refuge.
However, it’s likely that there will be more comfortable days at the summit – I just didn’t get any…
Climbing the Gavia is part of several Gran Fondos, riding a “round trip” including the Mortirolo.
Clockwise from Bormio this means the Gavia first and then the Mortirolo from Monno; counterclockwise it involves the Mortirolo from Mazzo and then the Gavia from Ponte di Legno, arguably a much more difficult course.
During my Giro of 2020, I did the reverse of that: the Gavia from Ponte di Legno, followed the Mortirolo from Mazzo. That was a little more than I could handle – I succeeded, but only just.
I believe there’s also at least one Gran Fondo combining either loop with a finish on top of the Stelvio…
Bormio
This climb of the Gavia is the more irregular and the longest: almost 26 kilometers and 1,400 altimeters.
I have included the Gavia in all my Giro d’Italia trips: 2011, 2015, 2020 and 2025.
The first part is steep, very steep, flat, sometimes even has short descents. This spells trouble if, like me, you do not like these changes…
But, up to Santa Caterina Valfurva, the ascent is actually not too difficult.
From there the more interesting and beautiful part of the climb starts – some 13.5 kilometers, with almost 900 altimeters.
You’ll first go through a secluded stretch with a lot of cover from the trees and some beautiful views, especially from a few of the 10 hairpins.
Around kilometer 18 you get one last chance to look down into the valley towards Valvurfa, after which the road runs around to the other side in a long, right turn.
The final part towards the summit can be – just like the Stelvio from Bormio – a challenging effort, perhaps not as far as grades are concerned, but more so when it’s cold and you’re battling a stinging head wind.
Refugio Bonetta at the summit is always warm and cozy though…
Video from the Col Collective
❗️If you descend towards Ponte di Legno, be very careful. The road is often in bad shape, it’s twisting and turning unpredictably, quite – and often scarily – narrow and the abyss to your right is shielded by little more than bricks (30 to 40 cm high) or a wooden railing…
And some 3 kilometers from the summit, you will go through a pitch-dark tunnel at a 9% decline – it’s scary, you should slow down and I strongly recommend bike lights.
Knowing this, I still had a hard time going through it…
Gavia – Bormio side
Ponte di Legno
From Ponte di Legno, the tougher climb of the Gavia awaits you.
Shorter than from Bormio, but with nearly 1,500 altimeters over a distance of some 17.5 kilometers, definitely more challenging.
Also this side of the Gavia was in all of my Giro d’Italia trips: 2011, 2015 and 2020.
I started climbing this end in 2025 with Grasshopper Volkan – after the ascent from Bormio and descent to Ponte di Legno – but I had to give up after some 10 kilometers…
You can use the first few kilometers to warm up, but from thereon you do not get a lot of easy stretches.
By far the most difficult part starts near Sant’Apollonia, a 10-hairpin section through the woods, where the grades increase to 14%.
But also after that – and certainly in the often cold and windy upper part – you hardly ever get the chance to catch your breath.
❗️After some 14 kilometers, you cycle through a pitch-dark tunnel of about 500 meters at 9% – it’s scary and I strongly recommend you use bike lights.
The final 3 – 3,5 kilometers, with 3 hairpins, will offer you the best views – be careful enjoying those, because the road is narrow and the quality of the surface is (very) poor.
Video from the Col Collective
