Umbrail Pass, Switzerland to Italy (near Stelvio Pass)
Discussion
Postedt his in General Gassing, I didn'r spot the "Roads" forum!
Has anyone ever driven over the Umbrail Pass from Santa Maria im Mustair (Switzerland) to Giogo di Santa Maria (Italy)? The reason I ask is I will be going on a bit of a driving tour with others in cars and on bikes; our stopover will be in Meran in Italy. The Umbrail pass is a short cut to get to the Stelvio Pass, which isn't currently on the itinerary (although it is on mine!) and I would like to make a slight detour- you can't not pass within a few KM of the Stelvio and not drive it!
Getting to the Stelvio via Livigno and Bormio would be too big a detour. The Umbrail pass could be the perfect solution. However, the only slight problem I have with the Umbrail Pass is that it appears to be a very minor road, part graveled. And every routefinding tool (e.g. Via Michelin) I have used will not take you over it! So I was wqondering if anyone has actually driven over it, and is it ok?
Thanks for any responses
Has anyone ever driven over the Umbrail Pass from Santa Maria im Mustair (Switzerland) to Giogo di Santa Maria (Italy)? The reason I ask is I will be going on a bit of a driving tour with others in cars and on bikes; our stopover will be in Meran in Italy. The Umbrail pass is a short cut to get to the Stelvio Pass, which isn't currently on the itinerary (although it is on mine!) and I would like to make a slight detour- you can't not pass within a few KM of the Stelvio and not drive it!
Getting to the Stelvio via Livigno and Bormio would be too big a detour. The Umbrail pass could be the perfect solution. However, the only slight problem I have with the Umbrail Pass is that it appears to be a very minor road, part graveled. And every routefinding tool (e.g. Via Michelin) I have used will not take you over it! So I was wqondering if anyone has actually driven over it, and is it ok?
Thanks for any responses
Yep. It was on the S2N route a couple of years ago.
It starts as tarmac which deteriorates about a third of the way up and becomes gravel. When we drove it, a couple of blokes on motorbikes came the other way as we were going up so we decided it must be OK. The gravel lasts for about 3 or 4 miles I think and is hard and compacted. Its not Kielder forest but it certainly isn't tarmac. The road is wide - easily wide enough for me to go 'rally style' on a couple of the corners with prodigious use of the handbrake.
It becomes tarmac again towards the top although by that time we were up in the clouds and couldn't see anything but the road so I can't really give you a description of the view!
It starts as tarmac which deteriorates about a third of the way up and becomes gravel. When we drove it, a couple of blokes on motorbikes came the other way as we were going up so we decided it must be OK. The gravel lasts for about 3 or 4 miles I think and is hard and compacted. Its not Kielder forest but it certainly isn't tarmac. The road is wide - easily wide enough for me to go 'rally style' on a couple of the corners with prodigious use of the handbrake.
It becomes tarmac again towards the top although by that time we were up in the clouds and couldn't see anything but the road so I can't really give you a description of the view!
Edited by dougc on Tuesday 5th August 09:44
Just did the pass in my GT3 and half way up it goes from Tarmac to Gravel not what i was expecting and crindged every time someone drove passed me at speed.....
I thought i would do it to get to the top of the Stelvio so i could then go up and down the North Side then Down the South side.
If you dont mind stone chips and enjoy the Rally go for it!
Pictures below.
I thought i would do it to get to the top of the Stelvio so i could then go up and down the North Side then Down the South side.
If you dont mind stone chips and enjoy the Rally go for it!
Pictures below.
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
If you come up from Bormio up the western approach, you will do the first bit of climbing, through a few tunnels, then go up the ladder, and then you come out onto a fast plateau. The plateau goes on for about 2 miles and then you have a few more switchbacks. About the 5th one up (as a guess), its a right hand switchback, and there are some buildings to your left (after you do the switchback). The border is just there and its a left turn.- If you dont mind stone chips and enjoy the Rally go for it!***
The road is rather well sign-posted and otherwise very drivable,but,
be aware, that depending on corners or ability of car or driver, you might get
some little stones ;-)
otherwise, when I drove it during rain, nobody around, and even less little
stones :-)
Nobody is driving fast there,..normally,..
Just go for it.
Enjoy your trip
Rainer (living around there)
Edited by RainerM on Wednesday 6th August 16:00
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.
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.
dapologies if i've spoilt your anticipation.
or in the Engadin (40 mins via Vereina-Tunnel)
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