Passo dello Stelvio (Bormio) - Cycling Inspiration & Education

Whatever way you look at it, the Stelvio is a spiritual cycling experience like no other. First featuring in the Giro d’Italia in 1953 its long history and sky high credentials make it a mountain of legend and unique lure for every rider that dares to tackle its serpentine slopes. Not only is it the highest road pass in Italy at 2,758 metres above sea level but it’s also the highest finish of any Grand Tour stage. That aside, it’s the architecture of the climb that really makes it famous and sets it apart from the rest. Bend after bend with a relentless gradient, jaw dropping waterfalls free-falling on a non-stop trajectory towards the valley below and a vast expanse of mountain mystique the higher you climb. That’s the real beauty of the mighty Stelvio, a true test of physical and mental strength all the way to the summit.

I’ll never forget the first time I rode the Stelvio from Bormio, in true Cotty fashion this was meant to be a “transition day” to get over the delights of a day of travel. We set off late in the afternoon with the original idea of spinning our legs out for a few kilometres just to loosen things up for the days to come. The higher we climbed the more inspired the ride became. When it was time to turn around neither my buddy or I had it in us to say let’s stop. I mean, they’re the rules right? “Don’t start something you don’t intend on finishing”. As the light began to dwindle and the temperature took a sharp dip, unintentionally we made it all the way to the top just in the nick of time as the final shops were shutting their doors for the night. The wind was bitter and we were well under dressed for the occasion. No time for selfies at the summit but just enough money for two cotton caps and a couple of copies of La Gazzetta dello Sport to stuff under each jersey to help against the wind chill (Giro style…..or so we thought). Watch out, the tunnels on the way down are dark and damp, even worse when you’re shivering like Frosty the Snowman. What a ride, what a climb, what a memory. Wouldn’t change it for the world!

Start: Bormio
Length: 21.5km
Summit: 2,758m
Elevation gain: 1,533m
Average gradient: 7.1%
Max gradient: 14%



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Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching.

Mike Cotty
The Col Collective

[Gugner]

I did it this year. With 7 kg. luggage. From St. Motritz, to Zernez and the over two passes before taking the last one to Passo dello Stevio. I was devastated and emotionally exhausted. I fully enjoyed eating and drinking till I couldn’t take more and sleeping warm and cozzy in the hotel at 2764 metres😀😀. In total 18 mountain passes done this summer - about 1173 km in the Alps.

[hikinganthropology]

Magnifique. La Stelvio pour Bormio regarde si beau ! Chapeau, Col Collective!

[bitterly_sorrying]

I can thoroughly unwaveringly say that Europe has the prettiest, the most soul-soothing and mood-uplifting landscape on the Earth and Italy is the prettiest pearl of Europe ! Wonderful video !

[gerardvanommenkloeke]

I come back often to this film, to relive my ride up the Stelvio. I’m a religious man and don’t use the word spiritual lightly but I think you’re right Mike, it is a stirring experience and the mountain reaches into you in an indescribable way . What a glorious place what a spiritual ride.

[johnnyuddstrand]

Great video ! Stelvio is definitely on my bucket list.

[evictorr]

I just watched this video again, it never gets old, particularly since I rode this side of Stelvio in late June last year (followed by the Prato climb later that day). I love Stelvio, and hope I get to revisit it one day.

[drummeralek]

Love this series! I watch those videos every morning now, for motivation ;)

[martinsoelby]

Great video. Did the Granfondo Stelvio this year pasing Teglio, Mortirolo and finaly Stelvio. Great to see that weather can be other then rain truning to snow at the top.

[Phaidrus]

Keep coming back to this video. The Stelvio is just magical.

[ciarandinsmore]

(1/3) Anther great video from you guys. Plus mike is great I like him a lot. This channel in just great. I love cycling and climbeing and can't wait yo these climbes me self.

[greghart]

Fantastic videos, always inspirational. Pity I'm at work at the moment, got itchy feet after watching that 😊

[kwacker]

You and the team just keep getting better. Thanks for working so hard on quality of production fantastic images combined with a real cyclists commentary. I've been off my bike due to pretty nasty illness..this has made my day

[DavidYamaha]

As always, great video ... I want to be there, right now! Thanks Col Colective and Mike!

[Phaidrus]

So pure. Thank you for these images Mike.

[horrovac]

"Mike's using 34x25 gearing for this climb". Well screw you, Mike! I did that with 34x28 and nearly died. "Gradient alert! The final 3km are the hardest, averaging 10.3%" - and don't I know it! That's what nearly did me in, my airways narrowed because I was breathing so hard, I had to creep up gasping for air, barely rolling, dizzy and with tunnel vision until the airways opened up a bit again. And the bugger is going up that TALKING. Once you're on top however, it's more than worth it. Epic.

[adrimorrone]

another great video!!! congrats for all of them!

[williamsham]

Just absolutely top notch cycling content. Your sponsors should be very, very pleased with everything this channel provides.

[leeshrobin]

awesome video, makes me want to ride every friggin day

[andreascarmona]

Beauuuutiful !!! after you posted this short film, it really inspired me to go there ! in July last year I made it ! it was the first climb of a few Legendary "Puertos de Montaña " I have riden now, it open the door to a new level of riding for me, thanks for making a difference Mr Col Collective, see you out there on the lonely roads, it has to be that way ! good luck always ! Andreas Carmona.

[rahulkota]

Yet another beautiful video The Col Collective , liked the music the whole way and the segment through the tunnels was awesome. I loved the way there are these markers on the roads in Europe showing the gradient of the climbs. Thank you for your efforts to give us something beautiful to look at. Cheers :)