Coined by Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear as “the greatest driving road in the world,” the Stelvio Pass has been on my bucket-list since that episode aired in 2007. Conveniently located between our planned roadtrip from Innsbruck to Lake Como, I quietly mapped out the specific routes to make sure I would be able to check off driving the Stelvio Pass from my bucket-list. It wasn’t long before my son, a fellow gearhead, realized that the route I chose, wasn’t the most direct and efficient path, and in fact added an extra 4 hours to drive the Stelvio Pass. Giddy with excitement, the two of us knew my wife and daughter would not be able to say no to our idea as we were the only two who would get behind the wheel while in Europe. It also helped that this trip was to celebrate my 50th birthday, so it was a win-win situation for me.
Sitting at 2,757 meters above sea level with more than 100 hairpin turns, the Stelvio Pass divides the south Tyrol Switzerland border with the Sondrio provinces of Italy. The roads are very narrow, and sorting buses, cars, motorcycles, and bicycles is challenging, especially after the TV show made it famous, increasing petrol-head visitors. Breathtaking and absolutely stunning, it is a piece of engineering prowess.
During one of the many twists and turns, we drove past a photography team who drives around scenic European roads to capture photos like this one. Maybe we can do it all over again, in a better car this time, to celebrate 53?
Hey Apple, let me know if you need a new screensaver video… I know a guy who wouldn’t mind making the trip.