Motorcycling

The Gavia Pass is traversed from Ponte di Legno to Bormio by the road SS 300 del Passo di Gavia, which in about 44km leads from the 1258mslm of Ponte di Legno to the 2652mslm of the Gavia Pass and finally to the 1225mslm of Bormio. The pass connects the provinces of Sondrio and Brescia, and the pass therefore serves as their administrative border. The high average gradient, the winding nature of the roadway, and the large number of hairpin bends and curves make the Gavia Pass a coveted destination with irresistible appeal. Motorcyclists and sports enthusiasts come from all over the world to confront the asphalt, its tight curves and its roadway often lacking side barriers and protection. Excellent driving skills as well as safety and caution are essential to be able to safely navigate the entire course.

The road originates from the town of Bormio from which it exits in an easterly direction passing through the agglomerations of Uzza, Valfurva and Sant’Antonio. The road then reaches Santa Caterina Valfurva, after which the road narrows and through ten hairpin bends reaches the Berni refuge, Lake Bianco and finally the pass, the administrative border between the provinces of Sondrio and Brescia. Right at the pass we find Rifugio Bonetta where a stop is definitely a must for a meal with local specialties prepared by Chef Chicco, the purchase of gadgets, badges, clothing and souvenirs.

It then continues into the province of Brescia and descends through three hairpin bends to a tunnel opened to traffic in 1991. Near it, on the then dirt road that ran along the rocky ridge, is a monument dedicated to the Alpine soldiers who died in 1954 when the truck on which they were traveling went off the road. The next 10 km reach gradients of up to 16%, and the roadway is so narrow that it does not allow two cars coming from opposite directions to cross each other, so reverse maneuvers by one of the two vehicles until a few slightly wider points that allow the two vehicles to pass each other are quite frequent. Via eight hairpin bends, the steep descent ends, reaching Santa Apollonia, a small town known for its historic ferruginous bicarbonate water spring, where refreshments and a parking lot enabled for camping can be found. The route continues, with a wider roadway, past the junction to the Ponte di Legno hamlet of Pezzo. The road then continues its descent (with gradients as steep as 9 percent), reaching Ponte di Legno, grafting at the 140th km of the Tonale and Mendola Highway 42.

The proximity of other major Alpine passes such as Stelvio, Mortirolo and Tonale allows for easy chaining even on the same day giving rise to spectacular and legendary motoring tours to be remembered and immortalized in smartphone and action-cam memories.

Rifugio Bonetta at Gavia Pass is waiting for you to experience a great and wonderful adventure in the heart of Stelvio National Park.

Check on the opening of the pass, road conditions, and ask for advice on possible tours or itineraries by writing or calling us at our contacts found on the appropriate page on our portal.