Written by Damian Hancock, co-founder of A’qto Cycling.
Italy is undoubtedly one of the best locations for cycling and it has some of the best cycling climbs in the world. It’s why so many riders travel here each year in search of the ultimate cycling holiday.
Many of these climbs have been made famous by the Giro d’Italia, where legends of the sport have cemented their place in cycling history. Others have earned their reputation because of the jaw-dropping landscapes they are part of, that often look like something from a postcard.
I’ve been fortunate enough to ride many of Italy’s most famous climbs, both personally and while guiding cyclists through the Alps, Dolomites and Sicily on our cycling tours over the past 10 years. Even after all these years, these are the cycling climbs that never get old and always leave me with the same sense of accomplishment and awe as the first time.
I’ve put together the five most famous Italian climbs I’d recommend every cyclist experience at least once.
Passo dello Stelvio, the king of Italian Mountain climbs
Stelvio is the undisputed king of Italian mountain climbs. If you’ve followed the Giro d’Italia, chances are you already know this one.
Key Stats
- Location: Italian Alps (Lombardy & South Tyrol region)
- Distance: 21.1 km (from Bormio)
- Average Gradient: 7.4%
- Elevation Gain: 1,551m
- Summit Elevation: 2,758m
- Famous for: The highest paved mountain in the Eastern Alps, 48 dramatic hairpin turns on the Prato dello Stelvio side and 34 on the Bormio side, and Giro d’Italia highest point of the race.
Stelvio is one of the most famous climbs in the world, and for good reason. You quickly understand why as soon as you leave Bormio. From that first pedal stroke, the show begins.
The road begins climbing almost immediately and soon the first of Stelvio’s iconic 34 hairpin corners appears, followed by a majestic waterfall, tunnels carved through the mountainside and alpine scenery that becomes more spectacular with every kilometre. Depending on the time of year, you may even find yourself riding alongside walls of snow as you approach the summit.
This is the climb that most guests tell me is their number one goal when joining our Stelvio & Dolomites cycling tour. Everyone who takes on Stelvio does it in their own way and in their own time, but always with that same sense of personal satisfaction.
It’s clear why Stelvio deserves its place on the list. Chapeau to everyone who conquers Stelvio!
Passo Gavia, the complete alpine experience
Passo Gavia has it all. That’s why it’s also one of my personal favourites.
Key Stats
- Location: Italian Alps (Lombardy region)
- Distance: 25.7 km (from Bormio)
- Average Gradient: 5.6%
- Elevation Gain: 1,429m
- Summit Elevation: 2,621m
- Steepest Sections: 16%
- Famous For: The legendary 1988 Giro d’Italia snow stage
Gavia reached mythical status after the 1988 Giro d’Italia, where Andy Hampsten finished second on the stage but ended up winning the overall race on the penultimate day. The riders crossed the pass through a snowstorm, with enormous 3-metre walls of snow lining the road, creating a white canyon through the mountains. It was truly an epic day of racing.
Gavia is a solid climbing challenge, with an absolutely stunning landscape that changes kilometre after kilometre. After passing through a beautiful alpine village, the road winds its way through forests and open plains, before climbing along a mountainside that drops away into the ravine below.
Higher up, the landscape changes again to a rocky alpine plateau dotted with small lakes.
There are times on Gavia where it feels like it’s just you and the mountain. Traffic is minimal and there’s a real sense of isolation that makes the experience even more memorable.
Then there’s the descent. It is nothing short of an adrenaline-spiked rollercoaster ride.
If you don’t feel alive after descending Gavia, hook yourself up to a defibrillator!
Mount Etna, the volcano climb
Etna is Sicily’s premier mountain climb, and who doesn’t want to ride up the side of an active volcano?
Key stats:
- Location: Sicily
- Distance: 18–25 km (depending on route)
- Average Gradient: 6–7%
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,500m
- Summit Road Elevation: Around 1,900m
- Famous For: Europe’s highest and most active volcano
Riding Etna from the southern side is just such a beautiful experience. The lower part of the climb serves up the steeper gradients, but after a few kilometres you’ve climbed above the villages and are fully on the mountain.
As you ride through the mesmerising black lava landscape, there’s an eerie silence that seems to fill the air and follow you uphill. Every hairpin corner offers a different vista and another perspective of the mountain.
It’s a truly unique place to ride.
After enjoying a delicious plate of Sicilian goodness, it’s time for the stunning descent back down the mountain, a descent that fills you with joy the whole winding way down.
Passo Giau, the natural beauty
For absolute natural beauty, Passo Giau is very hard to beat (if not impossible), especially from the Selva side.
Key stats:
- Location: Dolomites
- Distance: 9.9 km (from Selva di Cadore)
- Average Gradient: approximately 9.5%
- Elevation Gain: 922m
- Summit Elevation: 2,236m
- Famous For: Steep climbing, 360-degree alpine views, and a regular inclusion in the Giro d’Italia
The only catch of climbing the Passo Giau from the Selva side, is that it means taking on 10 kilometres at an average gradient of around 10%.
Yes, it’s tough, particularly in those first few kilometres. But after corner number 11, the pass begins to reveal its true splendour, little by little.
Keep your head up and your eyes open and you’ll be rewarded with the most incredible views that will stay imprinted in your mind forever.
I still remember how hard it felt the first time I climbed Giau. But I also remember reaching the second-last corner and seeing the entire pass laid out in front of me. It was and is an absolute wonder.
Sella Ronda, the thrill seeker
Sella Ronda is actually four mountain passes rolled into one adventure: Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo. I like to call it the Dolomiti Rollercoaster.
You climb, you descend, then you climb again, and descend again. It’s one challenge and one thrill after another.
Key stats:
- Location: Dolomites
- Total Loop Distance: Approximately 55 km
- Total Climbing: 1,700–1,900m
- Passes Included: Gardena, Sella, Pordoi & Campolongo
- Highest Point: Passo Pordoi (2,239m)
- Famous For: Four iconic Dolomite passes in one unforgettable ride, passes through UNESCO World Heritage site with massive limestone peaks, and portions of the route feature on races such as the Giro d’Italia.
If you start with Passo Gardena, you’ll knock over the longest and hardest ascent first. After that, you can settle in and simply enjoy the show.
Each of the climbs and descents is different, and every one of them is superb. The scenery is nothing short of mind-blowing.
Every time I ride this loop, I’m left in awe of just how high and beautiful the Dolomites are, and how small we are in comparison. You can ride this each year and never tire of its wonder and beauty.
An extra tip to keep in mind when planning your climbs in the Dolomites: Riding these climbs is best enjoyed with strong training and preparation in the lead-up.
Over the years we’ve had riders join us in the mountains who felt they hadn’t done themselves justice the first time with their preparation and riding. So they went home, trained harder, prepared better and came back to ride the climbs again. But this time they knew what to expect from their climbing.
On their return, every climb was still a challenge, but they now tackled them with greater confidence and determination. And in their words, the experience was every bit as magnificent the second time around!
For more tips on how to train for this, check out our post on Cycling Endurance Tips to Prepare You for a Cycling Holiday.
