Stelvio Pass High Alpine Road — Bormio to Prato allo Stelvio via the Eastern Alps Roof
75 hairpins. 9,045 feet. No excuses.
The Stelvio Pass — Passo dello Stelvio in Italian — has been punishing and thrilling drivers since 1825 when Austrian engineer Carlo Donegani carved it out of the Ortler Alps on the Lombardy-South Tyrol border. You climb from Bormio at around 4,000 feet through 48 numbered hairpins on the east face alone, switchbacking up a near-vertical wall of alpine rock with sheer drops and no guardrails on stretches that’ll make your passenger very quiet. At the top, at 9,045 feet, you’re standing on the second-highest paved mountain pass in the Alps, looking down into the Adige Valley toward Austria. The descent into Prato allo Stelvio unspools another 27 hairpins. The road passes through Stelvio National Park — Italy’s largest — and crosses the watershed between the Black Sea and the Adriatic.
This is a paved mountain road, not a 4×4 trail, but it absolutely earns its place in any overland driver’s life list. Any vehicle can make it in dry summer conditions — the road is wide enough for two cars if everyone stays calm — but it demands total attention: buses, cyclists, and motorcycles share every corner. Snow closes the pass typically from November through late May; July and August bring crowds. No permit required, no fees. Fuel in Bormio before you climb — there’s nothing at the top. The views are staggering: glaciers, Ortler massif, the whole Vinschgau Valley laid out below you. Do it once before you die.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Paved |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 15 mi / 24.1 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9045 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle (paved road) |
| Nearest town | Bormio, Lombardy, Italy |
| Land manager | Stelvio National Park / Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Stelvio National Park official site Province of Bolzano road authority |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a capable 4x4 or can any vehicle drive Stelvio Pass?
Any street-legal vehicle can handle it — the road is fully paved the entire 15 miles. That said, the relentless hairpins and steep grade demand solid brakes and a transmission you trust; check your brake fluid and watch for overheating if you're towing or driving something heavy.
When does Stelvio Pass close for the season?
The pass typically opens in late May or early June and closes in late October or November depending on snowfall. Outside that window, the road is gated — winter attempts are not an option. Check current status with the Province of Bolzano road authority before you go.
Is there an entry fee or permit required to drive the pass?
No permit or entry fee is required to drive SS38 over Stelvio Pass. You are passing through Stelvio National Park, so stopping to camp or go off-road requires adherence to park rules — check stelviopark.it for specifics on what's allowed where.
What's the hardest section of the drive and what makes it sketch?
The eastern wall out of Bormio is the most intense stretch — dozens of tight, stacked switchbacks with sheer drop-offs and no guardrail on some corners. It's not technically difficult, but oncoming buses and cyclists mid-hairpin will get your attention fast. Take it slow and keep your wheels on your side of the line.
Is there fuel or food available at the top, and what's cell service like on the route?
There are cafes, a hotel, and a small cluster of vendors at the Stelvio summit (2,757m) — fuel is not available up top, so fill up in Bormio before you start the climb. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent for most of the route; don't count on navigation or communication once you're on the upper switchbacks.
Trail track
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