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Climbs in SwitzerlandSplügen Pass - Splügen Pass: A cream of the crop among the climbs

Climbs in Switzerland: Splügen Pass - Splügen Pass: A cream of the crop among the climbs
The Passo dello Spluga (2,113 m), as it is known in Italian, connects the Hinterrheintal valley in Graubünden with Chiavenna in the province of Sondrio. Once an important trade route used by the Romans, the Splügen fell into obscurity with the opening of the St Gotthard and San Bernardino. Cyclists can only be happy about this, as the winding road is now a real gem. Even the short nine-kilometre northern ramp on the Swiss side delights every pass rider with its twenty hairpin bends, some of which follow each other in close succession.

The sight of the serpentine lines is reminiscent of the Stelvio Pass. But it is not only on the Swiss side that a comparison with the more famous pass road comes to mind: On the southern ramp of the Splügen, climbers can expect almost as many metres in altitude as on the Stelvio Pass. Around 1,800 metres in altitude - only a few Alpine passes can match that. The picturesque little town of Chiavenna lies at the bottom of this impressive wall at just 333 metres above sea level. If you turn off onto the Splügen road there, you immediately get down to business. The valley narrows dramatically, and the tarmac leans towards the vertical. The bends and hairpin bends are never boring. Between the villages of Prestone and Campodolcino - where you pass a small lake - the route leans back to a gradient of around three per cent for about two kilometres, giving cyclists time to catch their breath. But only briefly. Then the road strives towards its boldest passages and winds its way up vertical rock faces in hairpin bends. At an altitude of 1,900 metres, a long flat section follows alongside the Lago di Montespluga reservoir. Another opportunity to catch your breath before the final ascent to the top of the pass - and with it more hairpin bends. There will be 51 in total up to the top of the pass and the Swiss border: record-breaking!

Profile of the north and south ramps of the Splügen Pass

North ramp: Rhine forest in the fog, Alperschällihorn behind you North ramp: Rhine forest in the fog, Alperschällihorn behind you The Splügen Pass can be incorporated into two long, tough circular tours: Tour 1 (220 kilometres, 3,000 metres in altitude) and Tour 2 (165 kilometres, 3,500 metres in altitude) The Splügen Pass can be incorporated into two long, tough circular tours: Tour 1 (220 kilometres, 3,000 metres in altitude) and Tour 2 (165 kilometres, 3,500 metres in altitude)

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Pass profile: Switzerland: Splügen Pass

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