South Tyrol, Italy · from Prato allo Stelvio
Passo dello Stelvio
The Stelvio from Prato is one of the longest and highest paved climbs in Europe, famous for its wall of 48 numbered hairpins stacked up the mountainside. The gradient grinds steadily upward for over two hours of climbing for most riders, with altitude becoming a real factor above 2,000 metres.
Summit elevation: 2758 m
Route overview
Passo dello Stelvio · from Prato allo Stelvio
Schematic road geometry from the routed track, with 47 detected hairpins marked (filled markers are tighter than 15 m radius). Use it to see the shape of the climb, not for navigation.
Measured road detail
Taken from the Passo dello Stelvio track used by the 3D flyover: Prato allo Stelvio → Passo dello Stelvio · 1,275 road points
- Measured length
- 25.07 km
- Measured ascent
- 1853 m
- Elevation range
- 905 → 2758 m
- Hairpins detected
- 47
- Tightest hairpin
- 4.1 m radius
- Surface
- Asphalt
The routed track measures prato allo stelvio → passo dello stelvio, a slightly different start or finish than the from Prato allo Stelvio profile this page simulates, so its length and ascent are reported separately from the headline figures above.
Tightest hairpins on Passo dello Stelvio
- 8.9 km · 1362 mRight · 5.6 m
- 13.5 km · 1730 mRight · 6 m
- 13.9 km · 1763 mLeft · 6.1 m
- 17.5 km · 2093 mLeft · 5.6 m
- 17.8 km · 2118 mRight · 5.8 m
- 23.6 km · 2629 mLeft · 4.1 m
Landmarks along the way
- Trafoi
- Franzenshöhe
- Passo dello Stelvio
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Passo dello Stelvio?
Enter your power and weight. A physics engine calculates your estimated time against the gradient profile.
Predict your
performance.
See how power and weight affect your time on a real climb.
*Demo simulation uses standard road bike physics (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004).
Passo dello Stelvio and the Tour
Built between 1820 and 1825 by the Austrian Empire to connect Lombardy with Tyrol, the Stelvio Pass is a masterpiece of mountain engineering. The Tour of Italy (Giro d'Italia) first crossed it in 1953, when Fausto Coppi launched a dramatic solo attack on Stage 20 to wrest the pink jersey from Hugo Koblet.
The summit of Stelvio at 2,758 m is frequently named the Cima Coppi (highest peak of the Giro). In the 2020 Giro, Rohan Dennis, Tao Geoghegan Hart, and Jai Hindley set the race record on the Prato ascent in 1:11:06.
1:11:06 for the 24.96 km climb during Stage 18 of the 2020 Giro d'Italia.
Riding it yourself
When to go
Open strictly from late May to October due to high-altitude snowpack. Peak summer months (July–August) bring motorbikes and cars; June and September offer ideal riding conditions.
Base & logistics
Prato allo Stelvio is the starting village for the 48-hairpin side. Hydration and extra windproof layers are mandatory due to the 2,758 m summit altitude.
FAQ
How long is the Passo dello Stelvio climb?
From Prato allo Stelvio, the climb is about 23.5 km with roughly 1814 m of elevation gain at 7.7% average gradient (based on the simplified profile used by this simulator; published figures vary slightly by source).
How long does it take to cycle up Passo dello Stelvio?
It depends almost entirely on your power-to-weight ratio. Use the simulator on this page: enter your FTP and weight, and a physics model (air resistance, rolling resistance, gravity) estimates your time on the gradient profile.
Can I see Passo dello Stelvio in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 1,275 routed points covering Prato allo Stelvio → Passo dello Stelvio, with terrain, gradient and the road's own bends. It runs in the browser, no account needed.
How many hairpins does Passo dello Stelvio have?
47 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 4.1 m radius. They are marked on the 2D sketch and ridden in order in the 3D flyover.
How accurate is the time simulation?
The simulator uses a simplified segment profile and standard road bike assumptions (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004, 8 kg bike). It does not model wind, drafting, altitude, surface or pacing errors, so treat the result as a realistic estimate, not a guarantee.
How should I train for Passo dello Stelvio?
Sustained climbs reward steady threshold and sweet spot work plus a power-to-weight improvement over weeks, not days. TrainCraft builds structured cycling training plans and adapts them when you miss sessions, using fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB).
More famous climbs
Preparing for this climb?
A climb like this is won weeks in advance. TrainCraft builds a structured plan around your FTP and available hours, and adapts it when you miss a workout.
Start Training FreeThe profile is simplified into 32 segments for simulation; real gradients vary metre by metre. Stats shown are derived from this simulated profile and closely match commonly published figures. Time estimates assume standard road bike physics and no wind.
Training for a climb like this?
TrainCraft builds structured training plans and adapts them when life gets in the way — real fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB), visual workout builder, Strava & Garmin sync. Free to start.