Stelvio Pass or St Bernardino Pass
Discussion
Which route would you recommend? I'll be going from UK to Italy in couple of days (in Ferrari 360) and can choose either. I read that Stelvio can be a little bit overcrowded (I'm planning to hit it between 1-2pm on a weekday, going towards Bormio), too narrow in some places for Fezza to enjoy and you will have to do 3 point turn in couple of places. From what I've seen on youtube St Bernardino looks faster road but I might be wrong. I personally don't think that 360 is designed to do 180 degree corners every few seconds that's why I'm worrying about Stelvio. I don't have massive experience driving mountain roads but I've done route Napoleon in 360 before as well as some winter Swiss mountain roads in Supra.
Another thing to consider is that Stelvio is in Italy but St Bernardino is in Swiss and Swiss police is fairly unfriendly
P.S. In theory I can do Stelvio on my way to Italy and St Bernardino on my way back but on my way back I will be taking my missus with me and she is not the one who enjoys fast driving on mountain roads (that's why she flies outbound to Italy instead going with me by car)
Another thing to consider is that Stelvio is in Italy but St Bernardino is in Swiss and Swiss police is fairly unfriendly
P.S. In theory I can do Stelvio on my way to Italy and St Bernardino on my way back but on my way back I will be taking my missus with me and she is not the one who enjoys fast driving on mountain roads (that's why she flies outbound to Italy instead going with me by car)
4leks said:
Which route would you recommend? I'll be going from UK to Italy in couple of days (in Ferrari 360) and can choose either. I read that Stelvio can be a little bit overcrowded (I'm planning to hit it between 1-2pm on a weekday, going towards Bormio), too narrow in some places for Fezza to enjoy and you will have to do 3 point turn in couple of places. From what I've seen on youtube St Bernardino looks faster road but I might be wrong. I personally don't think that 360 is designed to do 180 degree corners every few seconds that's why I'm worrying about Stelvio. I don't have massive experience driving mountain roads but I've done route Napoleon in 360 before as well as some winter Swiss mountain roads in Supra.
Another thing to consider is that Stelvio is in Italy but St Bernardino is in Swiss and Swiss police is fairly unfriendly
P.S. In theory I can do Stelvio on my way to Italy and St Bernardino on my way back but on my way back I will be taking my missus with me and she is not the one who enjoys fast driving on mountain roads (that's why she flies outbound to Italy instead going with me by car)
I'm in Germany on my way back from Venice and have done both pass's in the last 2 weeks. I did Stelvio on the way to Venice and the St Bernardino on my way back. I have always had my hart set on driving the Stelvio, but driving the St Bernardino was so much better Another thing to consider is that Stelvio is in Italy but St Bernardino is in Swiss and Swiss police is fairly unfriendly
P.S. In theory I can do Stelvio on my way to Italy and St Bernardino on my way back but on my way back I will be taking my missus with me and she is not the one who enjoys fast driving on mountain roads (that's why she flies outbound to Italy instead going with me by car)
still cant get the grin off my face. Like many say its best to do them between Monday-Friday, we was on the road's between 9 am -1 pm and had both pass's to ourselfs mostly. Im sure I also have taken my missus to Italy, and like your she is not a fan of moutain driving. But to be fair she has done realy well and not moaned at me for speeding too much 
i'm off to the ring tomorrow. 
St Bernardino Pass taken on Monday.
Enjoy your trip.
Edited by JasonJH on Thursday 22 September 08:09
Stelvio has to be done but is massively over-rated, not really a driving road that can be approached with speed and rythym. Umbrail off the top of Stelvio is fantastic including short gravel section. Other passes mentioned above are better driving roads, better views, more open sweeping turns. Don't scrimp on your time there.
petfroguk said:
Stelvio has to be done but is massively over-rated, not really a driving road that can be approached with speed and rythym. Umbrail off the top of Stelvio is fantastic including short gravel section. Other passes mentioned above are better driving roads, better views, more open sweeping turns. Don't scrimp on your time there.
Umbrail in a Fezza 
why not send him on the Mortirolo as well. 
It's probably too late as he's gone already, but the Umbrail pass is great, and OK in anything, just don't have your vertigo sensitive wife in the passenger seat of your LHD car as you slither down this bit
Coming down on the gravel... by Suggs, on Flickr
Coming down on the gravel... by Suggs, on Flickr
Harsh said:
skodamanpat said:
Umbrail in a Fezza why not send him on the Mortirolo as well.
What's wrong with Umbrail in a Fezza? done it 4 years in a row. had a Diablo and a Murci with us this year at various points too! why not send him on the Mortirolo as well. 4leks said:
I don't have massive experience driving mountain roads but I've done route Napoleon in 360 before
I would say a gravel switchback with some areas of sheer drop off and wandering cattle wheren't the best places to gain experience in a 360 but I may be wrong. 
gary71 said:
It's probably too late as he's gone already, but the Umbrail pass is great, and OK in anything, just don't have your vertigo sensitive wife in the passenger seat of your LHD car as you slither down this bit
You should try it in the rain !Which turns into July snow the higher up you get.
Mind you, the bus stop near the top of the Umbrial
is quite funny. It gives the whole thing a sense
of perspective - the Brits think it's the bees
knees and yet it's on a bus route, for to serve
the local community.
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