The Passo dello Stelvio the Most Popular Cycling Climb

The Italian climb is the most frequently searched col by myCols bike enthusiasts in the popular app with more than 5000 cols that focuses entirely on cycling

The Passo dello Stelvio is the most popular cycling col in the myCols app in 2019.

The Passo dello Stelvio the Most Popular Cycling Climb

The Stelvio is a pass in the Italian Alps that is best known thanks to the Giro d’Italia. The climb from Prato has no less than 48 breathtaking hairpin bends that are clearly visible from the top. The Stelvio (up to and including the 2017 edition) has been conquered eleven times in the Giro d’Italia; the first time was in 1953. Four times the arrival of a Giro stage was on the mountain. The Stelvio is not included in the Giro every year, since the pass may still be closed in the spring due to snowfall. In 1988 and 2013, the Stelvio was initially part of the Giro, but was eventually ruled out due to bad weather and snowfall.

Runner up and number three in our top ten of the most popular cols are two notorious cols from the Tour de France; Mont Ventoux and L'Alpe d’Huez.

Since 40% of the myCols users are from The Netherlands, it’s no surprise that the Cauberg and Keutenberg - both known from the Amstel Gold Race – claim their spot in the ranking, in 6th and 9th place.

Furthermore it was striking that the Col de la Loze peaked the charts in October. The Tour de France announced in that month that this ‘new’ col in the Alps will play a crucial role in the 2020-edition of the Tour, with an uphill arrival.

myCols Most Popular Climbs in 2019

1 Passo dello Stelvio
2 Mont Ventoux
3 Alpe d'Huez
4 Mortirolo
5 Col du Galibier
6 Cauberg
7 Col du Grand Ballon
8 Col du Tourmalet
9 Keutenberg
10 Col de la Madeleine

For more information and to download the myCols app, please visit: https://mycols.app

Video: Passo dello Stelvio - Cycling Inspiration & Education

Not only the highest road pass in Italy at 2,758m, but also the highest finish in any Grand Tour, the Passo dello Stelvio is a beast of a climb and although the ascent from Bormio may not be quite as famous as from Prato it’s the stuff of cycling legend as you’ll see!

Whatever way you look at it, the Stelvio is a spiritual cycling experience like no other. First featuring in the Giro d’Italia in 1953 its long history and sky high credentials make it a mountain of legend and unique lure for every rider that dares to tackle its serpentine slopes. Not only is it the highest road pass in Italy at 2,758 metres above sea level but it’s also the highest finish of any Grand Tour stage. That aside, it’s the architecture of the climb that really makes it famous and sets it apart from the rest. Bend after bend with a relentless gradient, jaw dropping waterfalls free-falling on a non-stop trajectory towards the valley below and a vast expanse of mountain mystique the higher you climb.

That’s the real beauty of the mighty Stelvio, a true test of physical and mental strength all the way to the summit.

Start: Bormio

Length: 21.5km

Summit: 2,758m

Elevation gain: 1,533m

Average gradient: 7.1%

Max gradient: 14%