Gavia Pass () (el. 2621 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Italian Alps. It is the tenth highest paved road in the Alps.
The pass lies in the Lombardy region and divides the province of Sondrio to the north and the province of Brescia to the south. The road over the pass (SS 300) connects Bormio to the northwest with Ponte di Legno to the south and is single track most on its southern section.
Climbing around Gavia Pass There are many peaks to climb around. Directly above the pass on its east side is Corno dei Tre Signori (3360 m) and next to it Monte Gaviola (3025). On the other side of the road raises Monte Gavia (3223 m). By continuing along the road in the direction of Bormio, after less than 3 km, one arrives at the monument from where routes start for the Punta San Matteo (3678 m) group. The group includes Pizo Tresero (3594 m), Punta Pendranzini (3599), Cima Dosegu (3560) and several others.
Huts Several huts dot the area. Rifugio Bonetta is positioned right on the Pass, while Rifugio A. Berni is located nearby the monument. Further up in the mountains, at 3398 meters, is Bivacco Seveso, situated directly below the summit of Tresero. Another refuge, Bivacco Battaglione Ortles, lies below Cima di Val Umbrina at 3122 meters altitude.
Giro d'Italia The Gavia Pass is often on the route of the Giro d'Italia road bicycle race and is sometimes designated the Cima Coppi, the highest point of the race. On 5 June 1988, the race passed over the Gavia in a snowstorm, making for an epic stage won by Erik Breukink. American Andrew Hampsten, the second-place finisher, became the overall race leader and went on to win the Giro.
Appearances in Giro d'Italia (since 1960) YearStageCategoryStartFinishLeader at the summit201416HCPonte di LegnoVal Martello (Martelltal)201020Cima CoppiBormioPasso del Tonale200820Cima CoppiRovettaTirano200620Cima CoppiTrentoAprica200418Cima CoppiClesBormio200014HCBra Borgo San Dalmazzo199921Cima CoppiMadonna di Campiglio Aprica199621Cima CoppiCavaleseAprica198814Cima CoppiChiesa in ValmalencoBormio196020TrentoBormio
Gallery
See also List of highest paved roads in Europe List of mountain passes
References
External links
Profile on climbbybike.com Map, photos, cycling profile for both sides