The Gavia Pass, between the provinces of Sondrio and Brescia, is one of the highest and even most beautiful passes of the Alps. The uphill in this case starts in Santa Caterina Valfurva (the other side stardts from Ponte di Legno -BS-). On top of the Gavia Pass you find the pittoresque lake "Lago Bianco", surrounded by the mountain "Corno dei Tre Signori", 3359 m. Even more beautiful is the lake "Lago Nero" on 2386 m, which is situated just underneath the pass on the south side. The Gavia Pass is opened from June to September.
The side facing the Valtellina is less steep than the other one, even if it is a longer way up to the pass.
The road is mostly constantly uphill, with some short but very steep stretches.
Starting in Bormio, take the road SS 300 which leads through the Valfurva: you pass by its little villages Uzza, San Nicolò, S.Antonio und San Gottardo and will arrive, after 13 km and 600 metres in altitude, to Santa Caterina (little map). After Santa Caterina the "real" road up to the Gaviapass begins with its first switchback. From here on, the gradient is most of the time at about over 7 %, it reaches, however, quite often the 10 % mark for short stretches. The tight road brings you constantly higher in altitude.
