Stelvio Pass

[superviggen]

Ordinary Bloke said:

AKA Passo di Rombo, I've done it on a bike, and 100BHP felt like a moped at the summit (2500M sounds right).

That was July, as I remember, and plenty of snow at the sides of the road. I think it'll usually be shut in October, or at least I'd work out the alternative route you're going to take instead, which could add a day to your journey.

Went down to Merano, beautiful area, enjoy yourself!

Passo di Rombo is AKA Timmelsjoch not the St Bernard pass.

[Ordinary Bloke]

superviggen said:

Ordinary Bloke said:

AKA Passo di Rombo, I've done it on a bike, and 100BHP felt like a moped at the summit (2500M sounds right).

That was July, as I remember, and plenty of snow at the sides of the road. I think it'll usually be shut in October, or at least I'd work out the alternative route you're going to take instead, which could add a day to your journey.

Went down to Merano, beautiful area, enjoy yourself!

Passo di Rombo is AKA Timmelsjoch not the St Bernard pass.

Oh yeah, well spotted, sorry! I did Timmelsjoch (2509M) and Reschen (1504M) passes, got close to Stelvio but ran out of time. In fact, Stelvio is 10% higher (2757M), so please take everything I said and add 10%.



ETA: It was 15 years ago so they may have moved them around since then???

Edited by Ordinary Bloke on Friday 22 August 16:38

[smack]

snapper8v said:

Yeah, I've been reading some of the posts when I done a search, but personally I've always wanted "to do" a hairpinned mountain pass.

Most mountain passes in the Alps are hairpinned for a section of it, just look at maps and it is easy to spot. The exeption with Stelvio, is it very little apart from hairpins. Personally I don't like it. And I ground out my car, and snapped an anti roll bar link. It was quite empty when I was there as it was the first weekend it was open for the year.
I've done almost all the passes from Geneva down to Monaco, the West side of Italy from Aosta valley down to the Med, and East side of Switzerland. My favourite area is the Savoie, such as Petit St Bernard, most of passes in Italy (Frence side of a pass pot holed, Italian side racetrack smooth )

I did the Col de la Forclaz (Switzerland to Chamonix) a motorbike, started with hairpins up the side of the shear side of the mountain in the rain - that one really gave me the willys! Once past that, the road was lovely!

[mybrainhurts]

F308 MAN said:

mybrainhurts said:

.... and I remember being very disappointed
.... Did it several times on the way to Croatia, out of habit.

i think if i had eaten a meal at a restaurant which was naff, i don't think i would venture there again, habit or no habit, would you ?
plus i think there are easier/quicker ways to travel to croatia.



d

Getting to Croatia easily/quickly is not the meaning of life, you three legged git....so..

[cw42]

Did the Stelvio back in 2005 on a mini euro tour, and I'd agree with others that it's not the best mountain pass in the area.
I'm second from the left:

There are some absolutely fantastic roads around there, like this, down one side, up the other:


Id recommend doing it though, just to say you've done it

Cool vid of the lancias in Turin btw

[snapper8v]

Thanks for the comment about the vid. I've still got Stelvio as my number 1 road, but I'm also highlighting others, where's that road in the 2nd photo? The 1 thing going against finding other roads is the timing, we're due to be back in blighty on Tuesday morning, having left San Marino on Sunday morning & getting to the Alps Sunday evening, which leaves Monday to do a pass or 2 before catching the Eurotunnel at around midnight Monday.

[cw42]

snapper8v said:

Thanks for the comment about the vid. I've still got Stelvio as my number 1 road, but I'm also highlighting others, where's that road in the 2nd photo? The 1 thing going against finding other roads is the timing, we're due to be back in blighty on Tuesday morning, having left San Marino on Sunday morning & getting to the Alps Sunday evening, which leaves Monday to do a pass or 2 before catching the Eurotunnel at around midnight Monday.

I can't remember I'm afraid We did so many on that holiday. (off to google maps to see if I can find it )

[cw42]

cw42 said:

snapper8v said:

Thanks for the comment about the vid. I've still got Stelvio as my number 1 road, but I'm also highlighting others, where's that road in the 2nd photo? The 1 thing going against finding other roads is the timing, we're due to be back in blighty on Tuesday morning, having left San Marino on Sunday morning & getting to the Alps Sunday evening, which leaves Monday to do a pass or 2 before catching the Eurotunnel at around midnight Monday.

I can't remember I'm afraid We did so many on that holiday. (off to google maps to see if I can find it )

Found it! Grimsellpass: http://tinyurl.com/42gjod Bloody awesome. The only pass that was still closed for construction after the nasty floods Switzerland had back in 2005.

[fade2grey]

Stelvio is alright, but nothing wow - you'll probably be disapointed but it's nice to say you've done it. I did it about 2 weeks ago in the Gransport. There are a LOT of cyclists, the road is in poor condition & it's 2 way traffic so you wont be able to pick up any real speed. Plus the hairpins are virtually 3 point turns in places (well, they are in the gransport - the grale will be easier).

If you are thinking of doing the umbrail pass (swiss side) then be warned, it turns to gravel basically after the point of no return lol. Now I know why no route planners will use it lol. Still I came out unscathed - surprised a few bikers though

If you want fast flowing hairpins on decent quality road, I can recommend the route from geneve to the dijon boarder. For various reasons I ended up doing it 3 times & it's lovely - certainly makes the skyhook & CC box on mine shine!

Oh & there are some fab roads through the wine regions too!

[F308 MAN]

F308 MAN said:

fade2grey said:

If you are thinking of doing the umbrail pass (swiss side) then be warned, it turns to gravel basically after the point of no return lol. Now I know why no route planners will use it lol. Still I came out unscathed - surprised a few bikers though

umbrail pass is brilliant !
some pics from a recent thread:

F308 MAN said:

hello,
Some pics below of the umbrail pass from start to finish (Santa Maria to Stelvio).
We recently aproached from Lake Como & St Moritz up to Zernez (pic #1), turned left and headed to Santa Maria eastbound along the Ofenpass.
Just after the village of Valchava, take a signposted road right to the umbrail.
The last pic is at the Italy/Switzerland border just a kilometre or so from the head of the Stelvio pass.
Lunch was at a tacky "burger van" equivalent at the summit of the Stelvio.
Descent was via the eastbound route via Trafoi, Glorenza and Mustair. We then rejoined the earlier road at Valchava and headed back toward Zernez, the Fluelapass and a good nights rest in Davos.

Simply the most fantastic day's driving I've ever enjoyed, in all of my 50+ years !

if you need itn. files (or any other help), please let me know.

d


































apologies if i've spoilt your anticipation.

[snapper8v]

"apologies if i've spoilt your anticipation."

Far from it, if anything I may be increasing my stay . I'll take a look at the maps later on today.
LAWRENCE

[Dudd]

This is great info lads. I'm Heading down to Tuscany Area in a couple of weeks and am planning a nice long return route. Want to take in loads of Mountain passes. Are the below routes the ones to drive;

Gross Glockner
Kuhtai
Route Napoleon
Grimsel
St Bernards
Col de la Forclaz
Stelvio

Have i missed any out?
How long do the routes take? could i do all in one day? or is it worth taking it slow and using a couple of days. I'm gonna be doing nothing but driving!! None of this tourist crap... It'll be last week of Sept, will the weather be ok?

Also does anyone know of any roads around the Lakes in Northern Italy? they worth heading to as well?

[superviggen]

Big vote for the Grossglockner from me - but dont expect to race up and around it lots of other road users but the views are great and lots of things to see (marmots!). Give yourself a couple of hours driving over it.

Italian Dolomites are very spectacular also. We drove over Grossglockner thru Dolomites via Cortina D'Ampezzo to Treviso in one long day. I liked driving in Austria better than Italy though, better roads and cheaper petrol, and dare I say it much nicer people.

Drove back from Lago di Garda via Timmelsjoch as Stelvio proved to be a longer detour for our onward journey and I didnt fancy the tons of cyclists etc that everyone reports on Stelvio. Timmelsjoch was strangely deserted and on the Italian side quite narrow and bumpy.

Edited by superviggen on Thursday 28th August 17:46

[sleepersix]

Returned earlier this week from our Alps trip and can report on an incredible drive over the Stelvio. Early start on monday morning saw very little traffic (or cyclists), clear blue skies and sunshine (still -4 degrees at the top though!) and great driving. Some of the hairpins are a litle tight but not a problem as long as the road is clear and you can take a wide line.

This was the highlight of our trip (15 paases in all) and is highly recommended.

[Camel]

Superb - timing is everything on these roads isn't it? Beat the Dutch and Belgian caravans by getting in an early start, have an awesome drive then breakfast on the col

[Airbag]

mybrainhurts said:

As Alpine passes go, the views are crap...

Isn't that a bit like saying "as supermodels go, she's a minger"?

[snapper8v]

What's the script when entering Switzerland, I've heard that there's a 40 euro charge? Thanks.

[dougc]

Its not really a charge to enter Swissland, just the cost of the vignette for your windscreen to allow you to drive on their roads. You can arrange one in advance here so you don't have to bugger about when you get to the border.

[Camel]

In fact it's only required for motorways, if you keep off them you will not need it. Be careful you chose a border crossing that is not on a motorway otherwise you will be forced into buying one!

[snapper8v]

Thanks for the info. I've been in touch with them, but they don't accept my type of debit card, so I'll have to pay locally. At least I've been made aware of it. Set of to Italy this coming Monday & will be doing Stelvio a week on Monday.