Passo dello Spluga from Chiavenna via Isola is a climb in the region Lombardy. It is 33.1km long and bridges 1823 vertical meters with an average gradient of 5.5%, resulting in a difficulty score of 1357. The top of the ascent is located at 2118 meters above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 3 reviews of this climb and uploaded 20 photos.
Road names: Strada Statale 36 del lago di Como e dello Spluga, Strada Provinciale di Isola, Strada Provinciale di Isola & Strada Statale 36 del lago di Como e dello Spluga
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Long climb... endless... exhausting... up to Campodolcino not even much in terms of scenery, then it changes drastically and becomes pleasant from this point of view. Once at the dam, you can take a rest before tackling the last few hairpin bends leading to the pass (about 2.5 km).
It is best to tackle it during the week because at the weekend the traffic increases dramatically!
Salita lunga.. infinita.. sfiancante.. fino a Campodolcino nemmeno un granché a livello paesaggistico, poi cambia drasticamente e diventa piacevole sotto questo punto di vista. Una volta arrivati alla diga si può rifiatare prima di affrontare gli ultimi tornanti che portano al passo (2,5 km circa).
Meglio affrontarla in settimana perché nel week-end il traffico aumenta a dismisura!
Due to road works or too much traffic, I often take this route.
In my opinion it is preferable because I do not pass through the tunnels and the village of Isola is always a pleasant place to stop.
The climb is long and demanding, especially from Isola to the dam.
Often exposed to north winds.
Quite busy, especially with motorcyclists.
No refreshments at the pass (stop at Montespluga).
Water fountains at Campodolcino and Montespluga.
At Chiavenna, there is usually a car park before entering the village (easily found at Gordona).
Causa lavori stradali o per troppo traffico, spesso effettuo questa variante.
Secondo me preferibile in quanto non passo dalle gallerie e il paese di Isola è sempre un posto in cui sostare volentieri.
La salita è lunga e impegnativa soprattutto da Isola sino alla diga.
Spesso esposta a vento da nord.
Abbastanza frequentata, soprattutto da motociclisti.
Nessun ristoro al passo (fermatevi a Montespluga).
Fontane acqua a Campodolcino e Montespluga.
A Chiavenna solitamente parcheggio auto prima di entrare in paese ( si trova facilmente a Gordona).
Alternative route, slightly different and slightly more distance/altitude metres than the classic route of the Passo dello Spluga, cycled (June 2022)
After the start in Chiavenna, more than 33 kilometres of irregular climbing awaits with many hairpin bends between small villages with several (wet) tunnels and galleries in all lengths and varying lighting intensity (absolute front/rear light on bike!!!!!). Quality of road surface and traffic intensity varies on the whole route.
From Campodolcino the road is completely closed due to long term road works in the well known "stacked" tunnel section and you are diverted (via SP1) to the small reservoir with hydro power plant of Isola after which you have to climb steeply to get back on the original road just after Pianazzo. This diversion already existed for slightly longer vehicles that could not pass the tunnel puzzle.
Climbing continues unabated until the wonderful reservoir of Montespluga where you have about 3 flat recovery kilometres, if the wind is not a spoilsport, followed by the last 10 hairpins in high mountain scenery until the pass/boundary. Summit is desolate with only a derelict customs building in beautiful surroundings.
Practical: The classic route has 51 numbered hairpins that add up to the summit, but due to the diversion (only 6 unnumbered bends) some of them are dropped.
So there is no provisioning at the summit but there is in the small villages along the way.
Beautiful heavy climb in all its facets, despite the sometimes busy traffic.
I fully agree with the cover title of the British cycling magazine Cyclist (October 2021):
Italy's new masterpiece - the 30 km climb destined to become a classic ".
Alternatieve route , licht verschillend en met iets meer afstand/hoogtemeters dan de klassieke route van de Passo dello Spluga, gefietst (Juni 2022).
Na de start in Chiavenna wacht er meer dan 33 kilometer onregelmatig klimwerk met vele haarspeldbochten tussen kleine dorpjes met verschillende (natte) tunnels en galerieën in alle lengtes en wisselende verlichtingsintensiteit (absoluut voor/achterlicht op fiets!!!!!). Kwaliteit van het wegdek en de verkeersdrukte varieert op gehele route.
Vanaf Campodolcino is wegens langdurige wegenwerken in de bekende "gestapelde" tunnelsectie de weg volledig afgesloten en wordt je omgeleid ( via SP1) naar het kleine stuwmeer met hydro elektriciteitscentrale van Isola waarna je stevig moet klimmen om terug op de oorspronkelijke weg te belanden vlak na Pianazzo. Deze omleiding bestond reeds voor iets langere voertuigen die niet door de tunnelpuzzel konden.
Klimwerk blijft onverminderd verdergaan tot het wondermooie stuwmeer van Montespluga waarlangs je ongeveer 3 vlakke recuperatiekilometers hebt, als de wind geen spelbreker is, gevolgd door de laatste 10 haarspeldbochten in hooggebergte decor tot de pas/grensovergang. Top is desolaat met alleen een verlaten vervallen douanegebouw in een schitterende omgeving.
Praktisch: Klassieke route heeft 51 genummerde haarspeldbochten die optellen naar de top maar door de omleiding (slechts 6 ongenummerde bochten) vallen er wat tussenuit.
Op de top is er dus geen bevoorrading maar wel onderweg in de kleine dorpjes.
Prachtige zware letterlijk grensoverschrijdende klim in al zijn facetten ,ondanks het soms drukke verkeer.
Ik ben het volledig eens met de covertitel van het Brits fietswielertijdschrift Cyclist (Oktober 2021) :
" Italy's new masterpiece - the 30 km climb destined to become a classic ".
| 7 km/h | 04:43:25 |
| 11 km/h | 03:00:21 |
| 15 km/h | 02:12:15 |
| 19 km/h | 01:44:25 |
