Stelvio Pass - Królowa Przełęczy w Alpach - GoIberia 🏕 Blog o podróżach po Iberii

Campervan Adventure. A Ride Through One of the Highest Roads in the World

The route is a mecca for car and motorcycle enthusiasts, cyclists, and mountain view enthusiasts.

The drive is certainly recommended to drivers with nerves of steel and experience, especially if the journey starts in Trafoi and ends in Bormio, as this is the most demanding direction due to the steep climbs and narrow road.

Stelvio Pass key parameters:

Altitude: 2758m, making it the highest hard-surfaced mountain road in the Eastern Alps, the second highest in the Alps, and one of the highest roads in the world!
The curves There are 48 hairpin turns, and they are numbered on the northern section, the famous North Face.
Length of the drive 35 km of spectacular views! Assuming the distance from Trafoi to Bormio

The route

We started our ride from the campsite in Trafoi at about 9 am to avoid traffic jams. The first few turns gave us a taste of what awaited us much higher up, as the navigation showed sharp zigzags.

Before the real climbing started, there were a couple of ascents above the forest line. It was quite a challenge to drive a 6-meter campervan on these roads. We had to take turns as wide as possible on the steep, sharp turns, so it was essential to check if we had enough space to make it.

We had one stressful situation when we got stuck on a sharp curve. We started to sway as we tried to get out of the hole because the rear wheel was hanging over a broken drainpipe and collapsed tarmac. Oncoming vehicles from the opposite direction didn't make it any easier to get out of the trap, as they had nowhere to go back.

Fortunately, after a few minutes, we managed to get out of the trap. We carefully made our way upwards, turn after turn, with stunning views of the alpine glaciers.

Finally, we reached the top! It was a moment of rest for us and the campervan. We admired the Queen of the Alpine Passes and the masterpiece of road architecture. We were happy to have made it so high! We took some photos and started the descent towards Bormio.

I made a video so you can get a glimpse of the route and see how beautiful it is! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! :)

Here are a few of my insights that you may find useful::

Only drive this road if you feel comfortable behind the wheel and your vehicle is in good condition!
If you have any concerns about the technical condition of your vehicle, choose a different route!!
The most demanding section of the road is the pass on the Trafoi - the famous North Face.
If you are driving a camper van or RV, it is important to be aware that turning back from the North Face is almost impossible
It is best to get an early start to avoid traffic, especially in summer and on weekends.
The turns aren't as sharp as on Bormio's side, and climbing is much easier.
Due to the high altitude, a rapid change in pressure can cause dizziness.