Gavia Pass (Italian: Passo di Gavia) (el. 2621 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Italian Alps. It is the tenth highest paved road in the Alps.

Gavia Pass
The pass
Elevation2,621 m (8,599 ft)
Traversed bySS 300
LocationSondrio/Brescia, Italy
Coordinates46°20′37″N 10°29′15″E / 46.34361°N 10.48750°E / 46.34361; 10.48750
Gavia Pass is located in Alps
Gavia Pass
Gavia Pass
Location of Gavia Pass

The pass lies in the Lombardy region and divides the province of Sondrio to the north and the province of Brescia to the south. The road over the pass (SS 300) connects Bormio to the northwest with Ponte di Legno to the south and is single track most on its southern section.

Climbing around Gavia Pass

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There are many peaks to climb around. Directly above the pass on its east side is Corno dei Tre Signori (3360 m) and next to it Monte Gaviola (3025). On the other side of the road raises Monte Gavia (3223 m). By continuing along the road in the direction of Bormio, after less than 3 km, one arrives at the monument from where routes start for the Punta San Matteo (3678 m) group. The group includes Pizo Tresero (3594 m), Punta Pendranzini (3599), Cima Dosegu (3560) and several others.

Huts

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Several huts dot the area. Rifugio Bonetta is positioned right on the Pass, while Rifugio A. Berni is located in close proximity to the monument. Further up in the mountains, at 3398 meters, is Bivacco Seveso, situated directly below the summit of Tresero. Another refuge, Bivacco Battaglione Ortles, rests below Cima di Val Umbrina at 3122 meters altitude.

Giro d'Italia

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The Gavia Pass is often on the route of the Giro d'Italia road bicycle race and is sometimes designated the Cima Coppi, the highest point of the race. On 5 June 1988, the race passed over the Gavia in a snowstorm, making for an epic stage won by Erik Breukink. American Andrew Hampsten, the second-place finisher, became the overall race leader and went on to win the Giro.

Appearances in Giro d'Italia (since 1960)

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Year Stage Category Start Finish Leader at the summit
2014 16 HC Ponte di Legno Val Martello (Martelltal)   Robinson Chalapud (COL)
2010 20 Cima Coppi Bormio Passo del Tonale   Johann Tschopp (SWI)
2008 20 Cima Coppi Rovetta Tirano   Julio Alberto Pérez Cuapio (MEX)
2006 20 Cima Coppi Trento Aprica   Juan Manuel Gárate (ESP)
2004 18 Cima Coppi Cles Bormio   Vladimir Miholjević (CRO)
2000 14 HC Bra Borgo San Dalmazzo   Chepe González (COL)
1999 21 Cima Coppi Madonna di Campiglio Aprica   Chepe González (COL)
1996 21 Cima Coppi Cavalese Aprica   Hernán Buenahora (COL)
1988 14 Cima Coppi Chiesa in Valmalenco Bormio   Johan van der Velde (NED)
1960 20 Trento Bormio   Imerio Massignan (ITA)
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See also

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