Less famous than its alpine neighbours, the Umbrail Pass is nonetheless Switzerland’s highest paved road pass, with a road that joins directly onto the north side of the legendary Stelvio in Italy.
A sustained climb towards 2,501 m
From Santa Maria Val Müstair, it’s 13.4 km for 1,126 m of elevation gain, averaging 8.4% with no real flat stretch. The narrow road winds through tight hairpins in the second half of the route, with some unguarded sections that demand focus.
A quiet gateway to the Stelvio
On its eastern side, the road joins the final bends of the Stelvio’s north side in Italy, letting well-trained riders combine both climbs in the same outing without dropping back down into a valley.
Getting the ride right
The narrow road and the altitude call for caution and anticipation, especially when passing vehicles on the hairpins. A compact or triple crankset is still recommended to manage the sustained gradient over the distance.
When to go
June to September — the pass tops out at 2,501 m and can stay closed by snow into early summer depending on the year.
Good to know
Santa Maria Val Müstair, the starting town, sits in the Val Müstair, a secluded Swiss valley wedged between Austria and Italy, right next to the Swiss National Park.
