The Stelvio Pass in short
The Stelvio Pass reaches 2,758 m according to the national park. Some promotional texts round it to 2,760 m. The road climbs from the Valtellina side near Bormio and continues down to South Tyrol on the other side. It is a summer pass, closed in winter, and the exact dates change from year to year, so check the current road status before you set out.
The pass is also home to a summer ski area, with its own lifts and dates. That operation is announced separately and does not tell you when the road is open.
Before you drive or ride
Five things to settle first.
Check the road, not the lifts
The pass road and the summer ski lifts are different things. A lift season that runs to 1 November does not mean the road is open to that date. Check the current road status before you set out, and plan an alternative for the day.
Start from Bormio
Bormio is the town on the Valtellina side. It has the buses, the baths and the beds. The Bormio guide has the details.
Dress for the height
At 2,758 m the weather differs from the valley. Take layers, even on a warm day in Bormio.
Cycling
Cyclists share the road with other traffic in season. The national park holds a Stelvio Bike Day at the end of August, and the next one is announced for 28 August 2027. Closures can apply around the event, so check its page before you plan a ride.
Leave room in the day
Do not plan the pass as a quick drive between two towns. Allow time for stops, and keep a flexible plan in case the road or the lifts are closed.
Stelvio Pass tours and day trips
Excursions in the Bormio area and over the mountains, with live prices and availability.
The hairpins
Numbers differ, so treat any count as approximate.
An anniversary site for the pass gives 88 hairpins in total, with 48 on the South Tyrol side and 36 on the Valtellina side. Those two numbers add up to 84, not 88. So do not rely on a precise count for the Bormio side.
The road has two sides. On the Valtellina side the road starts near Bormio, where the Bormio guide lists buses, baths and places to stay.
Summer skiing on the pass
Announced dates and lift hours for 2026.
| Lift | Hours |
|---|---|
| Cable cars Passo Stelvio to Trincerone and Trincerone to Livrio | 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| T-bars Pajer and Cristallo | 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
| Season announced for 2026 | 30 May to 1 November |
These are planned dates from the Bormio information page. Summer skiing depends on snow and on safety, and it can pause in hot weather. A planned season is not a promise of daily operation. For winter skiing in the valley, see skiing in Valtellina.
Behavior in the national park
Guidance from the park's South Tyrol section.
Animals
Keep your distance from wild and grazing animals and pass them calmly.
Dogs, paths and parking
Keep dogs on a leash and use marked paths and parking areas.
Litter, fire and tents
Take your litter with you. Fires are forbidden, and camping is allowed only at designated sites.
This guidance comes from the page of the South Tyrol part of the park. Do not treat it as a new rule for the Lombard side.
The Gavia Pass
The second high road from Bormio.
The Gavia Pass runs through mountain meadows and is closed in winter. Check the current road status and any vehicle limits before you set out, especially with a large vehicle or a camper.
The Perego winter timetable took effect on 14 September 2026. Do not count on the summer buses to the Gavia and Cancano areas in autumn or winter.
Other mountain roads near Bormio
The routes that matter if you continue to Livigno.
Foscagno
The Foscagno road is normally open all year, 24 hours a day. The local portal advises winter equipment from 15 October, at the Foscagno until 30 April.
Forcola
Forcola is a summer-season option only.
Munt La Schera tunnel
The tunnel is 3.5 km long, has a toll and is one lane, with traffic lights alternating the direction. The maximum height is 3.60 m, and bicycles are not allowed. Openings are announced for 26 October to 7 November 2026: Monday 0:00 to 8 p.m., Tuesday to Friday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to midnight, Sunday around the clock. A special Saturday rule is announced for 28 November 2026 to 17 April 2027.
Livigno guide →Plan the rest of your trip
What goes well with the pass.
Stelvio Pass: frequently asked questions
When is the Stelvio Pass open?
It is a summer pass, closed in winter. Exact dates change from year to year and with the weather, so check the current road status before you travel.
How high is the Stelvio Pass?
The national park gives 2,758 m. Some promotional texts round it to 2,760 m.
How many hairpins does the Stelvio Pass have?
An anniversary site gives 88 in total, with 48 on the South Tyrol side and 36 on the Valtellina side. Those two numbers add up to 84, so any count is approximate.
Can I ski on the pass in summer?
A summer ski season was announced for 30 May to 1 November 2026, with lifts from 6:30 a.m. It depends on snow and safety, and it can pause in hot weather.
Is the Gavia Pass open in winter?
No. The Gavia Pass is closed in winter. Check the current status before you plan a summer trip.