At 2501 meters Umbrail Pass is currently the highest paved road in Switzerland. Located on the Swiss-Italian border connecting Santa Maria in Val Müstair with Bormio in the Adda valley. This is a small, and almost unused pass from almost the top of the Stelvio down to the road which goes over the Ofen pass. In fact, this is an alternative to the dreaded eastern ramp of the Stelvio pass.
 
Riding north from Bormio on the west ramp of Stelvio pass (the best bit of the Stelvio in our opinion) you find a turn off for the Umbrail pass a couple kilometres from the top (actually- you go strait, as opposed to going around the hairpin for the Stevio). Initially you have a bit of a ride along the top with dramatic views across the valley, you really need to stop to take it all in. Then you make your fist big drop in elevation, with numerous sharp hairpins down a fair steep mountain face. You then hit a mid mountain plateau, followed by another ramp, another plateau, and then a final decent into Santa Maria in Val Müstair along a tree lined mountain side.
 
About half way down, they must have run out of tarmac and you get the opportunity to test the off road capabilities of your mount. Nothing to challenging, but not for the faint of heart on a sports bike. The best way to describe this route is in the words of Jacques- “Savage” works in both French and English. A real adventure this one, and if you are in the area it should not be missed. We rate this route medium difficulty.