Gavia from Ponte di Legno: the climb that starts at Sant'Apollonia

The Gavia is the wildest of the great Lombard passes: a narrow road that climbs from Val Camonica to about 2,620 m through meadows, rock and high lakes. It is the pass of the Giro's most famous snowstorm, and from Ponte di Legno it is the harder of its two sides. The Lombardy Region's tourism site gives 18 km and about 1,380 m of climbing, with a maximum of 12%. The numbers do not tell you the most important thing, which is that the climb really starts a third of the way up. Here is how it builds, how to pace it, and how to ride it safely.

The climb: a valley road, then a mountain road

Our track runs 17.9 km from the centre of Ponte di Legno at 1,241 m to the pass, with 1,391 m of climbing at an average of 7.7%. That average mixes two very different roads.

• Ponte di Legno to Sant'Apollonia. The regional tourism site describes the first five or six kilometres as wide and well kept, with easy gradients, up to the hamlet of Sant'Apollonia at 1,584 m. On our track the first four kilometres average under 5%. Ride this as a warm-up. It is the only part of the climb where you can lose time by going too hard and gain nothing.
• The narrow section. After Sant'Apollonia, in the tourism site's words, the "real" climb begins: the road narrows and steepens through about three kilometres of hairpins. This is where our track has its two steepest full kilometres, 10.5% and 10.1%, between km 7 and km 9. On a road this narrow, a car coming down takes most of it. Keep right and stay seated.
• The long middle. From about km 9 to km 14 the gradient settles between 7 and 9%. The trees thin and you climb into open, rocky ground. It is steady, but you are now above 1,900 m and well into the effort.
• The tunnel and the top. Past the 14th kilometre comes a tunnel of about 300 m, which the tourism site warns feels endless. Our track has its hardest sustained stretch here, three kilometres at 9.5–10%. The last kilometre eases to about 6%, past Lago Bianco and Rifugio Bonetta, just below the pass.

How to ride it

Expect somewhere between an hour and a quarter and two hours. The art is to arrive at Sant'Apollonia feeling as if you have not started yet.

• Back-load the effort. Spin the valley at endurance pace, then come up to your climbing effort, around 85–90% of FTP for most people, on the narrow section. Hold that, and if you have anything left, use it after the tunnel. Pacing a climb with power explains why a slow start pays on long climbs.
• Lights for the tunnel. It is long enough to matter. Fit a front and rear light before you start, not when you reach it.
• Gear for the top third. Kilometres 14 to 17 average close to 10% at over 2,200 m, where the same effort gives fewer watts. A 34×32 or 34×34 is a sensible bottom gear; see gearing for climbing.
• Pack for winter. The regional tourism site warns of sudden weather changes, blizzards and fog on the pass. Even on a warm day, carry a rain jacket, a warm layer and full gloves for the descent.

The pass of the snowstorm

The Giro d'Italia first crossed the Gavia in 1960, when it was still a dirt road and muddy on race day. Imerio Massignan went over the top first but punctured on the descent and finished second to Charly Gaul in Bormio, earning the nickname "Angelo del Gavia". Jacques Anquetil punctured too, but kept the pink jersey by 28 seconds. According to Italia.it, the race has crossed the pass fourteen times.

The day everyone remembers is 5 June 1988. The stage from Chiesa in Valmalenco to Bormio crossed the Gavia in snow and sub-zero temperatures. Johan Van der Velde went over the top first in shorts and short sleeves, then had to shelter in a campervan and lost 47 minutes. Andrew Hampsten, dressed for the cold, took the pink jersey, and Erik Breukink won the stage. The Giro's own history calls it one of the most epic days the sport has seen.

Planning the ride

• Season. The regional tourism site lists the Gavia as a summer ride, and at this height the season is short. Check the road status with the local tourist office before you travel.
• Descending to Bormio. The Valfurva side is gentler: 13.5 km and 884 m of climbing, according to the regional tourism site. It drops past Santa Caterina Valfurva to Bormio, and it is long, cold and fast. See descending faster and safer.
• The big loop. The Bormio tourist board describes a loop from Bormio down the Valtellina to Mazzo, over the Mortirolo to Edolo and Ponte di Legno, then over the Gavia and back down Valfurva. It estimates nine hours forty and recommends it only for experienced, well-prepared riders. From Bormio you are also at the foot of the Stelvio.

Ride it in Moveee Indoor

The route on this page is the real road from Ponte di Legno to the pass. In Moveee Indoor your smart trainer reproduces its gradient, and the world around you is built from map data of the real place, so you feel the climb change character at Sant'Apollonia and the long pull after the tunnel. Indoors, the Gavia teaches you restraint. Ride the first four kilometres too hard and the last four will show you.

The ride is saved with its power data, so you can see exactly where your effort faded and try a better split next time. You can ride it in the browser or in the Mac and Windows apps. For another device, download the GPX above.

The short version

About 18 km and 1,380 m from Ponte di Legno to roughly 2,620 m, but the climb only starts at Sant'Apollonia. Spin the valley, settle in on the narrow hairpins, fit lights for the tunnel and save something for the last four kilometres. Carry winter clothes whatever the forecast: this is the pass of the 1988 snowstorm.