This is the self-preservation society. Want to join, mate? Will you pass the Stelvio Pass? If you have no idea what we’re talking about, let us bring you up to date, mate. The Stelvio Pass, or Passo dello Stelvio, in the Italian Alps is renowned for several compelling reasons, making it a truly unforgettable destination for many rather fun (and possibly hair-raising) reasons. People try to tackle it. Some win, some fail and some fail spectacularly. When you look at the curves, and the river far, far below, you’ll know that you’re either in, or you’re you’re either out. Engineering Marvel and Iconic Road: Built between 1820 and 1825 by the Austrian Empire, the Stelvio Pass is a masterpiece of 19th-century road engineering. It features an incredible 48 hairpin bends (switchbacks) on its northern ascent and around 60 in total. This “wall of switchbacks” is visually dramatic and presents a significant challenge for drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists alike. It’s often referred to as the “Queen of Alpine Roads” and was famously declared the “greatest driving road in the world” by the British car show Top Gear.
At 2,758 meters (9,045 feet) above sea level, it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps and the second highest in the entire Alps (only 7 meters lower than France’s Col de l’Iseran). Its altitude offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Ortler Alps and often features snow-capped peaks even in summer. One way to get there is to plummet. The other is to run like fun in a snazzy Porsche down the mountains of Italy. And we have that for you. For unforgettable fun, Click here.
Picture yourself in Europe, driving by Porsche on this 5-night driving tour from Zurich. Get your adrenaline going as you cross Alpine passes including Furka Pass, Oberalp Pass, and Stelvio Pass, then re-energize with a good night’s rest at four- and five-star hotels, all included as per itinerary. Manage your own pace on the self-led route, stopping at your choice of nearby landmarks such as the Swiss National Park, Albula Railway Museum, or Aare Gorge. Read more about – 6-Day Drive 9 Swiss Passes, Glacier Express Route +Stelvio, Italy
Ready for a heady wild ride in Stuttgart’s best? (Our affiliate partners, Viator have it.) Click here.