Passo Gavia (Ponte di Legno) - Cycling Inspiration & Education

I’m not sure what it is that excites me so much about the Passo Gavia, perhaps it’s the iconic snowy images of Andy Hampsten from the 1988 Giro d’Italia that really set my imagination free as a kid. Since then I’ve ridden it in the cold, the rain, the wind but also in glorious Italian Alps sunshine, the type that gently warms your soul from within as you put the whole world on pause and simply enjoy the gift of being on you bike and breathing pure mountain air. Whatever conditions I’ve faced I always get a special feeling when I’m on the Gavia. Whilst its neighbouring Passo dello Stelvio may enjoy more of the limelight for me the Gavia has everything that I enjoy most about alpine cycling - tranquility, tiny narrow roads, steep pitches, busted up tarmac and some of the most sensational scenery I’ve ever been blessed to see. Such a hard climb but so rewarding. We bring to you the Passo Gavia, absolutely one of the greatest climbs you’ll ever ride!

Length: 17.3km
Summit: 2,621m
Elevation gain: 1,363m
Average gradient: 7.9%
Max gradient: 16%

If you like what you see and are able to help spread our message by sharing with your friends and fellow riders then that would be truly appreciated. Our goal is to try and help inspire and educate as many cyclists as we can and we hope you can become part of our journey!

Keep up to date with our latest mountain videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel or get in touch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We’d love to hear from you. 

Ride safe and thanks for watching. 

Mike Cotty
The Col Collective

[Ciclistidelpollino]

Cima conquistata nel 2010 in occasione della Granfondo Pantani. Salita stupenda che mi è rimasta nel cuore!!!

[spencerlong]

Mike Cotty you've created another inspirational master class..wow what a beautiful climb

Thank you for all of these beautiful videos. Looking forward to more. 

[GilletNickOrme]

Just found out about the Col Collective and mike cotty through bike fantastic series of films, beautifully shot, wonderfully edited, uniting music AND superbly ridden. Thank you so much for a truly magical reminder of why I ride a bike!

[smokinbbl]

These video's are great!  I just moved to North East Italy, and these video's give me some goals to achieve.

[reflectionsdetail]

just last week I did this same climb after doing the Mortirolo that day. The road condition from the unlit tunnel to the top is a horrid patchwork with ample potholes to match, a decent would be sketchy at best. The descent down into Bormio is better. Take a headlamp or front light for the tunnel, or use your cell phone, it was light is a must! Watch the weather and get off the summit before the afternoon thunderstorms come in. It is a great tough climb!

[johansjoberg]

This climb is amazing. Discovered it thanks to you. Had the same weather. Religious feeling.

[MikeCotty]

Graham Van Der Wielen. I'm riding a Cannondale EVO Hi-Mod with Mavic CC40C wheels. Always brings a smile to my face, especially in the mountains :-)

[Italiaoutdoors]

Excellent video, thank you for posting.  I have added to my playlist and will send to all the people who have ridden with me in the past on the Gavia and who will be riding this year.  I usually ride the Passo 4-5 times each year.  I like the northern approach much better and the is generally less traffic.  Hope to see other great Italian climbs in your videos.

[superluvver]

I rode it in june when it was very cold and snowy but worth it. All my cycling dreams came true on this -so epic especially from my hometown of tirano. I know it sounds corny bt it was almost spiritual for me  . beautiful beyond compare even compared to stelvio . This mountain is very dear to us italians -the battle of san matteo and the giro legends. do it you'll know what i mean .

[eduardoadesa]

Climbed the Gavia after the Mortirolo which makes it for an epic ride, but the clouds moved in and for the second half of the climb all you could see were 300m of tarmac ahead and all white over the cliffs. Although it made the ascent even more epic, I missed all the amazing scenery shown in the video...i guess i will have to do it again!  That tunnel is brutal...

[alpinisme]

'd be nice to do this. Cool weather will be good, I climb slowly, so outside of the summer should be possible. On one of my climbs in Italy, a car was coming down. The road was narrow like here on the Gavia, I had to stop and lean against the wall right of me. For me, that's part of the charm of those Italian climbs. Can't get any better excuse to take a rest!

[TurkiyeCumhurbaskani]

Those tunnels freak me out, I was once caught in there without a rear light in Smoky mountains Tennessee, had to pass 3 tunnels in a busy road, it was a nasty experience.  

Thank you for great videos w. beautiful music. Have you ridden Monte Zoncolan ?

[ploglet]

Great video of a fantastic pass. Wondering if Mike ever sits down on any of these climbs?

[acurusaragon]

Cotty ...brilliant !  what wheel are u using if u dont mind ?

[etienneduclap]

This videos and all others are amazing !!
What is the song's name of this one ?

[simonjagassar]

More Cotty brilliance. Wish I was suffering alongside you Mike. Looks like you were up it before sunrise as there is no one on the road?

[Jakubescu]

I climbed it two weeks ago...LOL that tunnel...I did not see anything inside...it was  really dangerous..:-)

[Robert]

Great video, I'm planning on doing the climb this August. What time of year did you film this?