Mortirolo and Gavia from Bormio

This tough ride (107 kilometers long with 3,050 meters of elevation gain) combines the ascent of two legendary passes, the Passo del Mortirolo and the Passo di Gavia. The Gavia is cycled up from the south side, which is perhaps the most beautiful climb I know. The Mortirolo climb of this ride, which starts in Grosio, is also scenically wonderful. As far as I am concerned, it is the most beautiful of the three Mortirolo versions I have done so far. However it is not the toughest version of the Mortirolo; that is the infamous climb from Mazzo.

The entire route consists of six parts. These are the following if you start in Bormio:

1) A gentle descent through the valley of the Adda river (the Valtellina), mostly along the cycle route (the Sentiero Valtellina). Here and there, the route proposed here deviates from the Sentiero, if the latter is too winding, by taking the road.

2) The climb to the Mortirolo.

3) The descent from the Mortirolo to Monno in the Val Camonica.

4) A gentle ascent through the Val Camonica to Ponte di Legno, sometimes along the busy main road, mostly on secondary roads.

5) The climb to the Gavia.

6) The magnificent descent from the Gavia to Bormio.

The route can easily be done in the reverse direction. In that case, you cycle up the Gavia from Bormio first and then climb to the Mortirolo from Monno.