Legendary climbs: The Passo del Mortirolo - Passo del Mortirolo: classic climb of the Giro d'Italia

Since 1990, the Mortirolo (1,852 metres) has regularly played the executioner of the Tour of Italy. Its absolute altitude of less than 2,000 metres seems less threatening than its neighbours the Stelvio Pass (2,757 m) and Passo di Gavia (2,618 m), but the steep ramps are all the more so: 12, 13 per cent over longer stretches, plus some passages with 16 and sometimes 18 per cent over a few metres - that requires a certain ability to suffer. The Mortirolo connects the upper Valtellina with the Valcamonica in the south. To approach the top of the pass, you can choose between different variants, as several old military roads cover the mountain ridge like a network. The one we have described between Mazzo and Monno is the most popular of all the routes because the north side is extremely difficult. The Pantani monument 1.5 kilometres below the top of the pass bears witness to its classic status. The hairpin bends above Mazzo already require the use of the rescue pinion, but are only a vague foretaste.

You can find the entire passport profile as a PDF download below.

Downloads:
Pass profile: Italy: Passo del Mortirolo