Stelvio Pass – Italy
Stelvio Pass – the best in the Alps?
It’s the most famous pass in the Alps due to it’s Top Gear association, but is the Stelvio Pass really the best? Back in 2015 we set out to find our for ourselves in our lime green Lamborghini Huracan LP610 and red Ferrari 488 Speciale…
Setting the Scene / Our Stelvio Pass Roadtrip
We have been driving the Stelvio Pass in Italy since 2010 when we started running tours in the Alps. However, back in 2015 we decided to go on a mission and recreate a little bit of Top Gear and make our own group test on the Stelvio Pass. Taking the recently launched Ferrari 458 Speciale and Lamborghini Huracan LP610, we decided to test them back to back on the Stelvio pass and at the same time decide for ourselves if this pass Pass really is the greatest driving road in the world (or at very least the greatest of those 60-70 passes we had driven over the previous 5 seasons in the Alps!).
Our LP610 Lamborghini Huracan Heading up the North Face of Stelvio Pass
What a road, what a noise from the Huracan!
However, as you start to make your way up the Stelvio pass, when you do get some clear road ahead (fortunately we had a guide car ahead calling the road for us) you are able to attack the long straights, some 300-400M, then break late into the switchbacks, the smiles start to well and truly appear – this is what the guys on Top Gear were on about for sure – it’s kind of relentless, and goes on and on!!
Not only is the drive fun, and we think this is the beauty of the Stelvio Pass Italy is that to drive it well is a real challenge! By that, we mean a challenge to your driving skills and technique. Perfectly judging a breaking point, attaining the best turn in, then accelerating smoothly out of the corner gives you an incredible sense of accomplishment – and we think that’s what the Stelvio Pass is really all about when it comes to the driving experience – driving it well – we honestly feel that’s what the guys were on about when they drove the Stelvio Pass back in 2008. In many ways, it’s just like a drive around a track like the Nordschleife, it shouldn’t be easy, it isn’t, but if you do a lap or even a section of corners just right you get that amazing buzz inside.
Our two mean machines – Lamborghini LP610 Huracan & Ferrari 458 Speciale
Finally at the top of the Stelvio Pass Italy, and the views on a day like this are to die for!
Once at the summit, be sure not to miss the left turn up to the Albergo Ristorante Tibet where we took our pictures from – that’s where you will get the signature shot from.
Heading back down the Stelvio Pass towards Bormio is still a great drive, the turns are of course much more “sweepy” in their nature, but still great fun with several superb vantage points to park up and take pictures from. Once at the foot of the pass your are literally spat out into the center of Bormio, which is not maybe the most beautiful village, but plenty of good places to grab a bite to eat.
OUR TIP: rather than heading down to Bormio, around 1KM after starting the ascent, turn right onto the Umbrail Pass, direction Switzerland, and into the stunning Swiss National Park. This deserted pass (sometimes almost single track) really feels like you are visiting the land that time forgot, then takes you directly into the heart of the Swiss National Park and the beautiful Offenpass, completing your drive back on the Swiss Lower Engadin valley.
More pictures from the summit outside the Albergo Ristorante Tibet – Stelvio Pass in background
Stelvio Pass Car Test Line up
So what’s the catch / why the bad press?
It’s quite common for people these days to just write the Stelvio Pass off – but that’s not because it’s a bad road, it’s because it’s a busy road. Due to the Stelvio Pass’s iconic status since this series of Top Gear was aired, it’s become the busiest of the ultra high passes in the Alps. At the weekends often packed with cyclists and bikers, many with not much regard for road positioning, as well of course as the cars, often even causing tailbacks, and this wasn’t what it was supposed to be about.
In realty, all this means is the Stelvio Pass really is a road of two stories – hit the pass when it’s empty, and ideally you have someone ahead able to call the road ahead, it’s an absolute gem!! Hit it at the wrong time, when it’s busy with bikers and other cars, then it’s hell on earth – probably the worst alpine driving experience you can imagine.
The view heading up the North face of the Stelvio Pass
Our Winner – the Ferrari 458 Speciale – you don’t need to be driving this car to have fun on the Stelvio Pass…it just helps a bit!
Our Conclusions on the Stelvio Pass
Well it’s quite simple – you really MUST drive the Stelvio Pass, it really IS an incredible road. HOWEVER, the only way to do it is very early in the morning, and we are talking 7am, or into the early evening, after 7pm – for the former, it’s quite easy, just grab yourself an overnight on the pass (we highly recommend Hotel Belle Vista at the foot) rise early, make the drive once, or maybe twice, return back to your hotel for breakfast, then you may even agree with the guys at Top Gear, this really is the greatest driving road in the World.
And the cars we tested?
Well anyone that likes the sound of a car is never going to be disappointed with the Lambo, it handles a dream, and the pop pop of the exhaust on the overrun as you head down the pass is amazing. However, as a driving machine, the Ferrari 458 Speciale really is special, and even now, we haven’t found a better driving machine to tackle the Alps, it truly is the last of the track focused naturally aspirated V8’s Ferrari built, and they certainly ended on an epic high!
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Stelvio Pass Italy first opened / what was it's original purpose?
The original road was built in 1820–25 by the Austrian Empire as a route that would connect the former Austrian province of Lombardy with the rest of Austria. The engineer and project manager was Carlo Donegani and since that date the route has changed very little, asides of course an occasional re-tarmac.
Is the Stelvio Pass open all year around?
The Stelvio Pass like most high alpine passes will be closed through the winter season due to snowfall, however there is never an official closing date, as this is largely dependent on weather conditions on the Stelvio Pass. Under normal circumstances, the Stelvio Pass will open mid to late May, and will remain open until the end of October. However, you should always check the latest status when making drives close to the start and end of season – a really good source for the latest status on the pass (open / shut / snow down) would be https://www.alpenpaesse.de/
What's the best direction to drive the Stelvio Pass?
Unlike many mountain passes where approaching from either direction offers a similar experience, with the Stelvio, it’s best approached from the north west side. It’s only by coming from this direction you get to drive up the Stelvio Pass’s famous wall of switchbacks – and one thing we know from experience is that’s always lot more fun than heading down. It’s also by approaching from this side you get to run through the heart of the Stelvio National Park itself before starting the ascent – this run takes you through several great stretches of alpine forest and many KMs of fast/ sweeping roads before arriving at the foot of the pass. Once on the pass, each of the turns are numbered with stones, so at least you get to count your arrival to the top, 48, 47, 46…
What's the best month to drive the Stelvio Pass?
Without doubt June, and the earlier the better – at this time you will see walls of snow as you approach the summit, plus the nearby rivers and waterfalls are that bit more dramatic as the glacial snow melts on the surrounding peaks
What's the best time of day to drive the Stelvio Pass?
As already mentioned, the pass can get very busy, try to ensure you drive mid-week and either before 8am (normally requires that you stay close by overnight) or actually often better, the early evening around 7pm, when most people are already tucked up in their hotels!
Where's the best place to stop on the Stelvio Pass for a bite to eat?
Our recommendation is the hotel / Albergo Bella Vista – the terrace on the back as you suspect by the name, has an incredible vista!
Where's the best place on the Stelvio Pass to take a picture
Without doubt, looking down from the Albergo Ristorante Tibet, just above the summit – from inside the restaurant, lean out of the window for the perfect picture!