stelvio Pass: Which way?
 

Hi,

I'm planning a tour round Europe last this year, and am taking in the Stelvio Pass.

I'm heading from Germany to Italy and utlimately to France, so which is the 'best' way to approach the pass? From the Italian-Italian side, going from Spondigna to Bormio: or the Swiss-Italian side, going from Valchava/Santa Maria val Mustair-Bormio?

my Garmin Mapsource software wanted to avoid the Italian only route, unless I forced it to use several waypoints on the road itself. Last time I had to do this (last summer in France) it turned out the road was actually gated, and inaccessible to the public. I'm concerned it coud be the same here. On the other hand, the GPS software could just be trying to avoid all the hairpins.

If anyone's interested, the whole route is here, in google earth.
http://home.kickingtyres.com/summer_07.kmz

Thanks

Andrew

Many possibilities
 

Actually you've got multiple choices. Every access is brilliant. The Umbrail Pass (Switzerland) is partly dirt road, but well maintained. Of course the pass is closed during the winter season, but to my knowledge all three access roads are open in summer.

I'd suggest to ride from the east (48 hairpins), pay a short visit to Sitzerland via the Umbrail Pass, return and carry on westwards.

Hans

thanks.. as the Pass is part of a longer 5 day tour (with a 7-day holiday in a gite at the end of it) I'm not sure if we'll have time for the Umbrail Pass excursion, but I'll check it out. ta a