La Stelvio Santini 2026 expands into a full Alpine cycling festival
Early June 2026 is shaping up to be something special in northern Italy, as La Stelvio Santini evolves from iconic Granfondo into a long weekend celebrating some of the finest riding in the Alps. From 5 to 9 June, Valtellina will host a unique blend of competitive events, traffic free climbing and community rides, all set against the dramatic backdrop of high mountain passes.
At the heart of it all sits La Stelvio Santini itself on Sunday 7 June, one of Europe’s most revered Granfondo events. But this year the organisers have gone further, aligning the event with the Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina initiative to offer riders several days of riding on roads closed to motorised traffic.
The result is a cycling focused getaway that combines challenge, atmosphere and accessibility in equal measure.
Enjoy Stelvio brings traffic free Alpine classics
The extended weekend begins on Friday 5 June with the closure of Passo Gavia to vehicles. Long considered one of the most beautiful and demanding climbs in Italian cycling, Gavia offers a wild, high altitude experience and the chance to ride uninterrupted through truly spectacular scenery.
Further Enjoy Stelvio closures follow on Monday 8 June, when the panoramic road up to the Cancano Lakes is reserved for cyclists, and on Tuesday 9 June, when the fearsome Passo del Mortirolo takes centre stage. Mortirolo needs little introduction, its brutal gradients having earned it a near mythical status among road cyclists.
Riders planning to take advantage of these closures are advised to check timings and route details in advance, as access windows vary by day. Maps and suggested itineraries are available through Valtellina’s official tourism channels.
Mario Zangrando, event director of La Stelvio Santini, believes the alignment is a natural fit. He describes the Enjoy Stelvio dates as a rare chance for participants to extend their stay and tackle three climbs that have shaped the history of professional road racing without the pressure of traffic.
Sunset Ride adds a social gravel flavour
Friday evening also brings something a little different. At 6pm, Santini Cycling teams up with Reverb to host the Santini x Reverb Sunset Ride to the Cancano Lakes.
Starting from the La Stelvio Santini Expo Village in Bormio, the ride is free to enter and open to cyclists of all abilities. While the roads remain open to traffic, the emphasis is firmly on sociability and experience rather than speed or performance.
The reward comes at the top, where riders reach the Cancano Lakes as the sun drops behind the peaks. For those planning to tackle the gravel events later in the weekend, it also offers a useful preview of the terrain and atmosphere of the area.
Gravel makes its La Stelvio debut
Saturday 6 June marks a major milestone for the event with the first edition of La Stelvio Santini Gravel.
Designed to appeal to riders drawn to off road adventure and exploratory riding, the gravel event introduces two routes based in and around Bormio. A shorter 44km option includes 1,400 metres of elevation gain, while the longer 70km route ramps the challenge up to 2,000 metres.
Both courses explore dirt roads and alpine tracks in an unspoiled mountain environment, offering a very different perspective on Alta Valtellina compared to the famous tarmac climbs.
It is a significant addition to the programme and reflects the growing place of gravel within European cycling culture.
Sunday’s Granfondo remains the main event
Sunday is reserved for the classic La Stelvio Santini road Granfondo. With start and finish once again in Bormio, riders can choose between three demanding routes that thread together some of the most famous climbs in the region.
Passo dello Stelvio remains the headline ascent, with its endless switchbacks and high altitude drama, joined by routes that also include Mortirolo and Teglio. Each course delivers a serious test, matched by the atmosphere that has made La Stelvio Santini a bucket list event for riders from around the world.
More than just a race
By combining Enjoy Stelvio, gravel riding, social events and its established Granfondo, La Stelvio Santini 2026 positions itself as more than a single day challenge. It becomes a true celebration of cycling in all its forms, rooted firmly in the landscape and culture of Valtellina.
For riders seeking legendary climbs, new adventures or simply the freedom of traffic free mountain roads, early June in Alta Valtellina promises to be hard to beat.
More details can be found at lastelviosantini.com and valtellina.it.
