Todays adventure is from Livigno over 3 alpine passes. But 1st just to explain what these blogs are all about.
In September my husband, Pete started his annual Alpine Adventure trip over the alps. Unsupported and carrying all his gear with him including a tent, cooking stove and tools in case of a mechanical.
Pete doesn’t have a motor to help him, but all the routes he does can be done on an Ebike and therefore I believe this will be interesting for our readers.
This is his story in his own words.
Camping at altitude in Livigno
So, survived a very cold night, slept well, the space blanket worked really well and kept me warm. Ended up chatting with my Belgian neighbours last night about the state of Belgian cycling, Brexit (cos everyone I meet wants to talk Brexit). Then finally they were telling me how they come here a number of times in the year, including winter, “oh so you like skiing as well then?” I ask. Blank look from them, then “oh no, no, we don’t ski, never ski, we just come for the Après ski, it’s great”. This shouldn’t really have come as a surprise as when I arrived yesterday at 4.30ish they were already through a significant amount of bottles of Prosecco and just continued with a variety of alcoholic beverages from then on. Good fun, nice people living their best life.
Heading for Switzerland 
Up through the mist from Livigno Towards the top of the Forcola di Livigno
Day 5 Livigno (Italy) – Savoynin (Switzerland)
- Total 84km
- Average speed 15.5 km/h,
- 1292m up 1968m down
There were 3 climbs today, not massive altitude gains but all at altitude with thinner air which can take its toll on your body and sap your energy.
This morning was cold and cloudy but as it was straight up out of Livigno from the get go, it did mean I warmed up quickly. As I slowly climbed out of the fog in the valley, the views were worth it.
3 high alpine passes 1 day
- Forcola di Livigno 2315m
- Bernina Pass 2328m
- Julier Pass 2284m
Forcola di Livigno
Forcola di Livigno pass Hunters looking for chamois Italian / Swiss border
Bernina Pass
Views are outstanding today Bernina Glacier Morterratsch Gletscher
Lunch stop Fountain for a top up Gentians and Edelweiss
Julier Pass
Heading for the Julierpass Views are ‘ohne Ende’ today Cute cow
Autumn crocus Nearly at the top of Julier pass Finally made it, Julierpass
Finally finished
It was a hard day on the road as I was acclimatising to the altitude, I felt particularly tired by the end of the day. If you haven’t cycled over high passes, then you might want to read up on how it will affect you before you set off. The views, the flora & fauna as well as the cows and the music from their bells is what spurred me on today. It is important to look around you and take it all in, rather than head down and steam on. These passes are so stunning and the weather really helps, this is an incredible place to be.