Three days driving Top Gear's "greatest driving road in the world" — the Stelvio Pass's 48 hairpins from Prato up to 2,758 m, an overnight at the saddle Rifugio Garibaldi, then descending the Swiss side to Müstair for a UNESCO Carolingian monastery and dinner in Bormio.
Type
Road trip
Mood
Freedom
Days
3
When
Fri–Sun
Season
Closing in 10 days
The itinerary.
3 days · 10 stops
Friday
Day One
Fly into BGY or INN, drive up the Val Venosta to Bormio, evening Aperol on the medieval main square.
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Airport → Bormio
From BGY: 3h via Sondrio. From INN: 2h30 via Reschenpass. Rental car essential — Stelvio is car-only on the Italian side, motorhomes >7m banned.
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Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi
1834 thermal hotel above Bormio — 100 rooms in Art Nouveau wing, 9 outdoor thermal pools dripped from the mountain springs. Pools are included with the stay. bagnidibormio.it
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Bormio old town
Bormio Alta — 12th-century stone alleys around Piazza Cavour. Aperol stop at Pasticceria Filippini, dinner at Vecchia Bormio (pizzoccheri, sciatt cheese fritters).
The pass — 21 km of climb from Bormio (48 hairpins from the north side), summit lunch at Rifugio Garibaldi, descent into Switzerland, return via Müstair UNESCO monastery.
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Bormio → Stelvio Pass climb
SS38 north — 21 km, 48 hairpins (Italian side; the more famous 48-stack), 1,500 m vertical climb. Drive 06:00–08:00 to avoid cyclists + bus tours. Each switchback is numbered (Tornante 1 at top descending).
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Rifugio Garibaldi — lunch at the saddle
2,758 m summit refuge — polenta concia, bresaola, krapfen, espresso with grappa. Wear a fleece; even in August the saddle sits at 8–12°C.
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Swiss side descent → Val Müstair
SS38 → 25 hairpins south into the Stelvio National Park, then over Umbrail Pass (2,503 m) into Switzerland. Stop at Santa Maria Val Müstair for the UNESCO Carolingian monastery Saint John (8th-century frescoes).
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Return loop to Bormio
Via Reschenpass + Glurns (Italian-German bilingual walled village) — 3 hour loop total. Or back over Stelvio for a second pass — even better at sunset light.
1,300 m up the mountain from Bormio — Roman-era thermal water flows through cave pools cut into the rock. Sunrise visit (07:00–09:00) is quietest. 4-hour slot.
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Livigno duty-free (optional)
Swiss-border tax-free enclave 1h drive from Bormio — Italian Alpine town with no VAT. Skiing in winter; otherwise shopping + a coffee then back. Skip if pressed for time.
How many days do you need for Stelvio Pass — Italy's 48-Hairpin Alpine Climb?
3 days. The itinerary runs from Friday to Sunday and covers 10 curated stops across 3 days.
How much does Stelvio Pass — Italy's 48-Hairpin Alpine Climb cost?
Mid-range — comfortable lodging with a mix of paid and free experiences.
Where do you stay during Stelvio Pass — Italy's 48-Hairpin Alpine Climb?
Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi, Bormio is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Stelvio Pass — Italy's 48-Hairpin Alpine Climb itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 10 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Stelvio Pass (2,758 m).
