Stage 3: from Bormio to Livigno
On the shortest of the seven TOUR Transalp stages 2022 you can live a little into the day. So why not sip a cappuccino in Bormio before setting off in the direction of Livigno. The climb towards Torri di Fraele at the start is the scenic highlight of this stage, but doesn't climb all the way up to the towers. However, it is worth leaving the route and taking the detour further up to the Torri di Fraele and the Lago di Cancano dam. The enormous, 136 metre high dam wall is stuck like a plug in a steeply sloping gorge and is therefore hardly noticeable. The lake therefore seems to belong there and, with its turquoise-coloured mirror, forms a natural spectacle worth seeing. For mountain bikers, there are two pass crossings from here to Livigno, but these are not manageable on a road bike. So it's back down into the valley to Valdidentro. Now there are two passes in the way, the Passo Foscagno and the Passo d'Eira, which can be tackled on the main road, the only tarmac road to Livigno. At Passo Foscagno you pass the customs station, even though you remain in Italy. It quickly becomes clear why this is the case when you stroll through Livigno in the afternoon. The town is duty-free and there is one shop after another where you can buy the typical "duty-free" items - schnapps, cigarettes, perfume. Electronics are also available here at bargain prices. But don't worry, Livigno is not as cold and impersonal as an airport check-in zone. The centre is lined with old, sun-tanned wooden houses, which are home to many sports shops, restaurants and bars in addition to the bargain shops. In short, a shopping spree through Livingo with an espresso or a beer in a bar is the perfect way to round off this stage in style.
You can stop off here
After the first descent, several bars and restaurants crowd around the church of Valdidentro, e.g. the Bar Viola. In a bend to the right on the way to Passo Foscagno stands the Hotel Li Arnoga with bar and restaurant. From Trepalle, the village on the last ascent to the Passo d'Eira, the density of shops, bars and restaurants along the route increases abruptly. And in Livigno itself there is culinary abundance. A tip is the ice cream parlour of the Latteria di Livigno at the end of Lago di Livigno.
Shortcuts / variants to the original route
From Premadio, the TOUR Transalp race route leads up towards Torri di Fraele, but turns off halfway up because the road up is a dead end and is therefore cancelled for the race. However, if you are travelling alone, you should follow in the footsteps of the Giro d'Italia, for which a stage finish was set up at the top of Lago di Cancano in 2020. You can also stop off at the top, either at the Ristoro Monte Scale at the finish of the Giro d'Italia or a little before in the Villa Valania. And then roll back to the junction to Valdidentro on the same route with its panoramic views.
The stage as a short trip:
There is a bus service between Livigno and Bormio that transports bikes on request. More info at livigno.eu/public-transportation
The stage as part of a circular tour:
The stage from Bormio to Livigno can be incorporated into an exciting 3-day tour: Day 2: Livigno - Forcola di Livigno - Bernina Pass - Zernez - Ofen Pass - Münstertal - Vinschgau (overnight stay e.g. in Glurns or Prad). Day 3: Prad - Stilfserjoch - Bormio.
Marc Schneider's tip:
Livigno still has a very lively farming culture with its own marketing co-operative. I like to go to the Alpe Livigno shop (alpelivigno.it) in the centre, where you can buy local products. For example, bresaola, the typical air-dried beef ham, or various types of cheese from cows or goats.
General info
If you want to stay overnight or are looking for other tourist offers, you will find what you are looking for at bormio.eu and livigno.eu. If you need a bike service, you will find a large selection of bike shops in both cycling strongholds (search at bormio.eu/en/road-cycling-in-bormio/ and livigno.eu/en/businesses)
The 3rd stage from Bormio to Livigno: 46.85 kilometres and 1771 metres in altitude.
The GPS data will be available for download on the TOUR website after the TOUR Transalp 2022, which takes place from 19-25 June.
If you are still thinking about switching from Touri to Race mode, you can find all the details about the Everyman Race over the Alps at www.tour-transalp.de
