MOHO - Hotel Monte Giner - Stelvio Pass and Gavia Pass

We start from the Hotel Monte Giner and travel via Malè and Cles to reach Fondo.

Situated to the west, in a parallel valley to the Adige Valley, the Gampen Pass runs from Fondo in the south up to Lana and Merano in the north.

In the first part, the road only gains a little height and leads through sparse coniferous forest until shortly before Sankt Felix. From here, the road climbs a little more quickly over alpine pastures, through small villages and past the pilgrimage site of "Our Lady of the Woods". Shortly afterwards, you reach the top of the pass, which is rather unspectacular with an inn and a small wooden souvenir shop.

The north side then leads back down to the village of Gfrill via several beautifully developed hairpin bends through dense coniferous forest, opening up a fantastic view of the Adige Valley and Merano after the village of Gfrill. The path leads past Leonburg Castle (Castello Leone) down to Lana.

In Lana, turn west onto the SS 38 and head north of the national park. The SS 38 leads directly to the Stelvio Pass. "The queen of pass roads" and "Europe's highest fairground" are the two most frequently used nicknames for the Stelvio Pass. However, it is undisputed that, at 2757 metres above sea level, it is not only the highest road pass in Italy, but also the second highest pass road in the Alps, and that the classic 48-turn ascent from Prad is probably one of the most famous and prestigious climbs in Europe.

The pass is framed in the south by the Ortler massif with the Ortler (3905 m) and Monte Scorluzzo (3094 m) as the most famous peaks, so that a suitably grandiose panorama is guaranteed on the approach. However, the most famous photo motif is probably the sequence of hairpin bends on the final slope of the eastern side.

The Stelvio Pass lies in the centre of the national park of the same name.

The Gavia Pass in the Italian Stelvio National Park connects Bórmio (1217 m) in the north with Ponte di Legno (1258 m) in the south.

The road, which is now asphalted on both sides, is narrow and not very busy. The Gavia Pass unjustly leads a rather unnoticed life in the shadow of the Stelvio Pass, as it is much more impressive in terms of scenery, even if its construction is not as spectacular.

However, it makes up for this with its great variety. At the top of the pass, Lago Bianco lies in front of the snow-covered peaks of the Corno dei Tre Signori (3359 m). Even more beautiful: Lago Nero (2386 m) just below the top of the pass from the south. The Gavia Pass is one of the most beautiful passes in the Alps

You then leave Ponte di Legno (1,258 m) and head towards the Tonale Pass. The pass itself is located in the centre of the village, which is surrounded by a very large ski area. So if you need anything (drinks or postcards, for example), you will find a well-developed infrastructure up there. The 12 kilometres from Ponte di Legno (1,258 m) to Passo del Tonale (1,884 m) are easy to manage, the road is wide and without any major damage. The landscape is very varied and the traffic is limited.

Then it's back to Mezzana and the Hotel Monte Giner.