This is in fact Stelvio Pass (Swiss side) which is connected to Umbrail Pass (Italian side)
The Stelvio Pass
(9042 ft. / 2760 m)
Open: Late June to mid-October. Maximum gradient: 1 in 9.
"The Stelvio is not in itself an essential through-route, but it is one of the most magnificent mountain passes to be driven by experienced drivers for its own sake. Till 1936, when the Iseran was opened (*), the highest motorable pass in Europe, it has only surrendered that honor by a matter of 46 ft, and is incomparably finer from the scenic angle: indeed, many consider it scenically the finest of all the Alpine passes. The road itself is also a marvel of engineering skill, the huge rises on both sides being overcome by some fifty hairpin bends on either approach, the 48 on the north side between the summit and Trafoi being probably the finest continuous hairpin sector in the Alps.
"On the southern side the road worms its way up the immensely deep Braulio ravine, clinging from side to side and tunnelling frequently, between towering rock walls, to the more open basin at the 4th Cantoniera, where the Umbrail Pass comes in from the left. From the junction to the summit is little more than a mile, the road winding more gently up 900 ft. of shaly slope, but still relatively viewless. "From the summit, where the famous Ortler view is suddenly revealed, the Trafoi windings lead down in face of superb views of peaks and glaciers to Trafoi, just below the tree line. The rest of the road, falling along the Trafoibach to the Adige levels in the main valley, is a pleasant descent with fine views ahead of the Zillertal (Austrian) peaks in the main Alpine chain."
Barbara
