📷 Photo by Samuele Bertoli on UnsplashStelvio and Bernina: two giants of the Alps
Forty-eight hairpins over the Stelvio, duty-free Livigno, St. Moritz and down the Bernina pass to Tirano.
- Distance
- 123 km (76 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 42 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- Italy, Switzerland
- Updated
- August 26, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 123 km (76 mi) with 6 stops, from Bormio to Tirano. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Italy, Switzerland
Route description
Bormio, an old spa town in upper Valtellina, is the base for the Stelvio. The SS38 climbs from here to the Passo dello Stelvio at 2,757 m, the highest paved pass in Italy, and at the top you look down the famous 48 numbered hairpins that drop towards Trafoi on the other side.
The pass is usually open only from about June to October, and on summer days the road is shared with crowds of cyclists and motorbikes. The hairpins are tight and steep, so long motorhomes should drive with great care and avoid the busiest hours, or enjoy the view from the Bormio side and turn back. From Bormio, the road over the Passo del Foscagno leads to Livigno, a high valley town with duty-free status where many drivers fill up.
From Livigno the Forcola di Livigno crosses into Switzerland, so carry your passport or ID for the customs post. The road joins the Bernina route in the Engadine, and a short detour north brings you to St. Moritz, with its lake and its smart resort centre in a wide valley of larch and lakes.
Heading south again, the Bernina Pass at 2,328 m has glaciers on one side and the turquoise Lago Bianco on the other, with the red trains of the Bernina railway often in sight. The road then drops in long bends through Poschiavo to Tirano, back in Italy, where the railway ends in the middle of town. Like the Stelvio, this is a summer route: snow can close the higher passes well into spring.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Bormio
Italy - 212 km
Passo dello Stelvio
ViewsBormio, ItalyAt 2,757 m, the highest paved pass in Italy, with 48 numbered hairpins on the Trafoi side. Usually open June to October.
- 330 km
Livigno
Italy - 429 km
St. Moritz
Switzerland - 521 km
Bernina Pass
ViewsPontresina, SwitzerlandA 2,328 m pass with glaciers on one side and turquoise lakes on the other, shared with the red Bernina railway.
- 630 km
Tirano
Italy
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Bormio → Livigno · 42 km · 0 h 35 minOn the way: Passo dello Stelvio.Overnight nearby, for example: Aquafresca (4 km); Palipert (4 km).
- Day 2: Livigno → St. Moritz · 29 km · 0 h 24 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping St. Moritz (2 km); Camping Gravatscha (7 km).
- Day 3: St. Moritz → Tirano · 52 km · 0 h 43 minOn the way: Bernina Pass.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Cavresc (11 km); Adamello (12 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–July. Still fine, with some compromises, in August–September. Cold, short days in November–March. Mountain passes on this route are usually open June–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
- Passo dello Stelvio (2,757 m). Usually open June–October; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: Via the Reschen and Ofen passes, or the valley roads around it.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Stelvio and Bernina: two giants of the Alps?
3-day road trip of about 123 km (76 mi) with 6 stops, from Bormio to Tirano. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Stelvio and Bernina: two giants of the Alps?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 42 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Stelvio and Bernina: two giants of the Alps start and end?
It starts in Bormio and ends in Tirano.
Which countries does Stelvio and Bernina: two giants of the Alps pass through?
Italy and Switzerland.
Where can you camp along Stelvio and Bernina: two giants of the Alps?
OpenStreetMap lists 56 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Cima Piazzi, Camping Trafoi and Palipert.
When is the best time for Stelvio and Bernina: two giants of the Alps?
The most pleasant months are usually June–July. Still fine, with some compromises, in August–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
