On the basis we are staying in Tirano for two nights we can spend a day doing the full loop. Is there any gain going one way round than another?

Should we go clockwise or anti-clockwise

 

Clockwise would be shorter, but with less downward views ?

(based on driving on the right hand side of the road)

 

Stay for 2 days, do it both ways and come back and tell us which is the best

IIRC, I did it anti-clockwise, but it was a few years ago (christ, 10 years ago, I'm getting old) which meant the twistiest stuff (near Bormio) was uphill which is best, but I could be mistaken.

 

What's this all about then? I'm driving round that neck of the woods in August/September. Is this a really good drive or somin?

 

 

you know that must be a popular vantage point as I was just about to post



Which section is that Mark?

 

I think I would prefer to go down that stretch rather than up it if that helps? not sure where it is though and which direction we are facing

 

Last year I came up the serpentine section in the pic, and down to Bormio. I will be doing the same next month. There are quite a few tight switchback bends on the climb to the bottom of the valley in the pic (just after Trafoi). Also the condition of the road is quite poor. The condition of the road from the summit down to Bormio is much better.



Noitce the the lack of graffiti on the road on your pic, compaired to mine (taken last year)!

Had a convoy down with this lot last year


Just a thought. It looks like a bloody big loop you're planning. How far is it, and whats the driving time?

Dave

 

Ok got you.. so that road we see in the pic coming from Trafoi, up and over and then eventually arriving in Bormio right?



So If I was to travel clockwise from Tirano through bormio to Trafoi I would end up going down it?

The loop I highlight claims to be 187 miles <5hr drive. We are in no rush though as we dont have to drive anywhere afterward since we are staying there. You think that is realistic? Happy for it to take 6 hours if need be.

Other thought is to take the green route down from Merano which could cut the route time down a little?

 

Ok got you.. so that road we see in the pic coming from Trafoi, up and over and then eventually arriving in Bormio right?

YES

So If I was to travel clockwise from Tirano through bormio to Trafoi I would end up going down it?

YES

You think that is realistic? Happy for it to take 6 hours if need be.

5HRS SOLID DRIVING IS A LOT. IT WILL BE HOT AND MOSTLY ON ROUTES SIMILAR TO OUR A/B ROADS. YOU NEED TO PLAN FOR LUNCH AND PHOTO STOPS TOO. IF YOU'RE GOING CLOCKWISE IT MIGHT BE A IDEA TO GET TO MERANO AND THEN DECIDE WHICH ROUTE YOU'RE GONNA TAKE.

I'LL POST YOU SOME PICS OF THE ROUTE I DROVE DOWN TO BORMIO, WHICH YOU WILL BE DRIVING UP

HTH