A MOTORCYCLE TOUR IN THE ITALIAN ALPS CROSSING GAVIA PASS
The Gavia is a very challenging Italian Alpine pass when riding a motorcycle, but it offers extraordinary views and spectacular panoramas over one of the most beautiful areas in the Stelvio National Park.
Until a few years ago there was only a short stretch of paved road that led from Bormio to the picturesque small hamlet of Santa Caterina Valfurva located in the Alps. From here a narrow dirt road, built for defensive reasons by the Italian army during the 1st World War kept on crossing first the Gavia river valley, then the Gavia Pass until reaching the village of Ponte di Legno, the most important tourist center of the upper Vallecamonica.
In 1986 the organizers of the famous cycling event "Giro d'Italia" decided to insert the Gavia Pass as a new stage, provided that an entirely paved road crossing the pass had to be built. And so it was. Since that year you could cross in both directions the Gavia pass with fair ease.
Starting out on this motorcycle tour in the Italian Alps from the city of Bormio the road you will follow is completely surrounded by dense woods and pine forests until you will reach the altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. From here on, the road narrows so much that two cars are barely able to pass.
Despite the narrowness through this rocky environment, you will enjoy breathtaking views in this stretch. A characteristic Crucifix, the Cerulean Lago Bianco and Lago Nero will denote you have reached the summit of the Gavia Pass at an altitude of 2,621 meters.
The descending stretch from Gavia Pass offers stunning views, unfortunately, the road narrows again. Beyond that, you have to pay careful attention because of the poor lateral road protections that separate the motorcycle and its motorcyclist from the abyss below.
But, as we have already mentioned you will be surrounded by magnificent panoramas over the Italian Alps. This road is still one of the most beloved roads between the Italian motorcyclists (and not only the "Italian" ones)!
Drive Length: 45 km, Time: about 1 hour, 7 minutes
