Passo del Bernina from Tirano

Difficulty points	1414
Length	20.6 mi
Average gradient	5.7%
Steepest segment	10.4%
Total ascent	6234 ft

Reviews (13)

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DStentler ^premium

10 Mo 4.0 via the Climbfinder app

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Long climb that actually consists of two sections. From Tirano, it first goes through a warm valley, where there is fairly heavy traffic. The gradients are even. On the way you pass the clear lake of Miralago, where it levels off for a while and you can recover. Then it gradually continues on a well-paved road with nice vistas to the Bernina Express railway line. After the Livigno/Bernina Pass junction, it gets spicier, but the high-alpine scenery and views at the summit make up for everything.

guidoalessv

10 Mo 4.0 via the Climbfinder app

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Italian. Show original

Beautiful climb, long and demanding, especially in the second part, after the lake and the municipality of Poschiavo, a few hairpin bends only after the diversions to Livigno, superb views of the Bernina group, the only pity, the traffic which, having done the climb on a Sunday, was quite intense and heavy with the transit of many coaches, so you have to pay attention ⚠️. On the road in dta 27/07/2025 there are three construction sites with relative traffic lights, and the last 300 mt. Before the pass, going up from Tirano, they are unpaved, due to asphalt resurfacing.

MichaelT75 ^premium

1 y 4.0

There is a lot of cars, trucks and buses going up and down. The initial part serves both Bernina and Forcola so there is a lot.

fakirsessel ^premium

1 y 3.0 via the Climbfinder app

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: German. Show original

The upper neighbourhood is fantastic. Until you get there, you have to share the road with a lot of traffic.

fpic12 ^premium

1 y 5.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Italian. Show original

From Poschiavo the landscape becomes very beautiful and the climb returns to being hard with long straight stretches. Be careful that in some villages you have to cross the tracks of the little red train, which are very large and must be taken well otherwise you risk getting your wheels stuck. arrived at the fork for the forcola begins what is perhaps the most beautiful part, about 3 km hard but with hairpin bends that lead to the pass with a view of the glacier. The road is always perfect, spectacular manhole covers...traffic is never exaggerated...the descent towards tirano is also beautiful. the pass is open all year round so it happens to be able to go up by bike even in march with the walls of snow next to you, a spectacle!

Cla7 ^premium

1 y 4.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Italian. Show original

In terms of scenery, it doesn't compare in beauty to the climb from Samedan (although it is still beautiful), but if you want to make an effort, go up from Tirano! Up to Miralago it's ok, then it becomes really demanding and at the top there are still over 18 km to go... I recommend not tackling it on a too hot day.

alessandromaiorani

2 y 5.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Italian. Show original

The Bernina Pass from this side is a little more demanding. Fatigue amply repaid by the scenery!

Lukas73

3 y 3.0

Long climb made of 2 sections:
a) Tirano - Miralago = about 8 km
b) Poschiavo - BerninaPass = about 18,5 km
In between you have a 7 km flat that will give you the chance to get ready for the second section that climbs constantly with a 7-9％ positive gradient.
Maximum slope is around 11％.
Not a killer climb but the last part that consists of about 18,5 km will not give you any chance of recovery so be aware of it.
I left the car in Teglio a small town 8 km far from Tirano just to warm up my legs. I climbed to the top and then downhilled reaching the beautiful town of Celerina/Schlarigna where I had a break before to go back on the same road.
The BerninaPass from Celerina is much easier with just a few points where gradient reaches 7％ - 8％, otherwise it stays between 2％ and 5％. It's just long (20 km).

I found the 1st part quite boring climbing from Tirano at least till I reached 1500 m of altitude but then the landscape becomes very nice. Great to stop on top to enjoy the view of those beautiful lakes and the red train that drives across the valley!
Road surface is super but you can find quite a lot of traffic during the weekends. I had the chance to climb it at the end of October due to a fantastic weather and traffic has been quite acceptable.

RobiRini66

3 y 5.0 03:05:03 (6.7 mph)

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Italian. Show original

Long, tiring but unmissable climb.
In the middle part you recover your strength for the final assault. Stunning views of the Bernina group.
In the first part, watch out for treacherous tram tracks.
Park before the church square in Tirano (from Sondrio).
Possibility of refreshments at the finish.
Fountains at Poschiavio and in the villages you pass through.

Sissco

3 y 3.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Italian. Show original

Lang.. Tamelijk druk (ik reed hem op een zondag). Maar lang.. Prachtige omgeving natuurlijk. Weet niet of ik hem per se zou aanraden. Nu wil ik hem ook wel een keer afdalen 😁.

Stearena

4 y 4.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Italian. Show original

Endless climbs category, very nice even if with some traffic in summer. Great to then descend a piece and go to Livigno making the Forcola

patrickbaert ^premium

4 y 4.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Climbed Bernina pass from the Swiss town of Poschiavo, so the last 19 challenging kilometers. Apart from the first few kilometers it is continuously steep without any recovery, always turning with several hairpin bends spread over the climb and occasionally through half open avalanche chutes.
The last few miles to the summit, which start after passing the exit to Livigno, are wonderful thanks to the tree line. Passage lies between small mountain lake and the invisible Lago Bianco reservoir but offers fantastic views of the snowy massif and its glaciers.
Shortly after the summit there is a possibility for refueling.
On this last part of the route the Bernina express railway stays far away but there is at times
busy car traffic.

A tough Swiss bike challenge with a beautiful final panorama.

NietJelle

4 y 3.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Lots of climbing in one mountain pass, with beautiful views. You can catch your breath on the flatter part after 8km of climbing. Watch out for the tram rails, mate of mine got stuck in them with a fall as a result. Unfortunately it's quite busy on the route, but good chances to spot a pro.

Climbing times

5 mph	04:09:01
7 mph	02:56:17
9 mph	02:17:23
12 mph	01:43:13

Road surface condition

94% 6% 0%

Based on 18 votes

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Traffic

21% 37% 42%

Based on 19 votes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Passo del Bernina can be cycled from 2 sides. Passo del Bernina from Tirano is the most popular side, but the summit can also be reached via Passo del Bernina from Samedan.

You don't need special gearing for Passo del Bernina from Tirano. The slope isn't long or steep enough to require much shifting down. You can conquer this climb on power alone. However, a compact gearing system with a smallest front chainring of 34 and largest rear sprocket of 28 or 30 is always nice if you enjoy cycling uphill. This helps maintain a smooth cadence.

Passo del Bernina from Tirano belongs to the Hors Catégorie, the top category. These are legendary and very tough climbs. A solid cycling condition, experience, and a good climbing gear ratio are essential to maintain a smooth cadence and complete the climb comfortably.

Passo del Bernina from Tirano is 20.6 mi long.

The average gradient of Passo del Bernina from Tirano is 5.7%.

Passo del Bernina from Tirano has a steepest segment with an average gradient of 10.4%.

The summit of Passo del Bernina from Tirano is at 7628 ft.

At a slow pace of 5 mph, it takes about 04:09:01 to climb Passo del Bernina from Tirano. At 7 mph the time is 02:56:17, and at 9 mph 02:17:23. For the fastest cyclists, 01:43:13 is an achievable time.

Passo del Bernina from Tirano is located in the region Sondrio in Italy.

Statistics

Short recap

Photos (44)

Reviews (13)

Climbing times

Road surface condition

Traffic

Frequently Asked Questions

Passo del Bernina from Tirano

Statistics

Short recap

Photos (44)

Reviews (13)

Climbing times

Road surface condition

Traffic

Frequently Asked Questions

Which sides of the Passo del Bernina can be cycled up?

What gearing is needed for Passo del Bernina from Tirano?

How difficult is the Passo del Bernina from Tirano?

How long is the climb up Passo del Bernina from Tirano?

What is the gradient of Passo del Bernina from Tirano?

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How high is Passo del Bernina from Tirano?

How long does it take to cycle up Passo del Bernina from Tirano?

Where is Passo del Bernina from Tirano located?