Passo San Marco, the majestic ride

Passo San Marco is without doubt the most iconic and spectacular road in our entire region. You climb to nearly 2,000 meters of altitude in just over 60 km—an astonishing transition from city center to full alpine landscape in so little distance. With its 20 km of climbing at an average gradient of 7.2% and roughly 1,400 meters of elevation gain, the ascent to Passo San Marco easily qualifies as an HC climb. And although it’s less famous than the legendary Gavia, Stelvio, or the great Dolomite passes, it is, in every respect, a true Alpine giant.

The scenery is magnificent and unforgettable: forests, high pastures, immense slopes, and the sensation of being deep in the Alps while still standing on Bergamo’s doorstep.

Historical Notes – The Old Road of San Marco

The pass has deep historical roots. Since medieval times it has been one of the key connections between the Bergamasque valleys and the Valtellina. The most important chapter began in the late 16th century, when the Republic of Venice commissioned the construction of the Via Priula, a strategic route engineered by Alvise Priuli between 1592 and 1593.

The goal was bold: to secure a reliable, year-round connection across the mountains that bypassed the taxes and political control of the Duchy of Milan. The route included daring stone terraces, exposed ledges, and hand-carved passages—an extraordinary engineering feat for its time.

Centuries later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the old mule track was gradually transformed into a modern carriage road. New retaining walls, improved gradients, and widened sections allowed carts, then early motor vehicles, and today cyclists to traverse the mountains with far greater ease—though the monumental feel of the original Venetian road still lingers in many stretches.

This route begins in the center of Bergamo and follows the Brembana Valley all the way to Olmo al Brembo, where the climb officially begins. You can reach it via the Brembana cycle path, which we strongly recommend over the provincial road—not only to avoid traffic but also to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Built along the old railway line, the path passes through the original rock-carved tunnels dating back to the 1920s.

The climb itself is not to be underestimated: it is long, demanding, and filled with stretches that hit double-digit gradients. The reward, however, is an atmosphere that feels genuinely Alpine—open slopes, rugged rock faces, high meadows, and wide views that belong to a different world entirely.

At the summit of pass, the view opens dramatically: having On one side, the high ridges and deep valleys of the Bergamasque Alps, while On the other, the expansive horizon of the Valtellina, with the peaks surrounding Morbegno and, on clear days, glimpses of the distant glaciers.

From the summit, you have two options:

1. Turn back to Bergamo
Return the way you came: around 60 km, almost entirely downhill or flat. A fast, satisfying way to finish a monumental climb.

2. Complete the full loop
Descend toward Morbegno and return to Bergamo by following the shores of Lake Como.
This is a magnificent circuit—but be warned: this option totals roughly 180 km, so make sure your legs are ready and you’re not in a hurry to get home…