Aosta / Frankfurt am Main, May 11, 2026 | On May 23, the Giro d'Italia will make a stop in the Aosta Valley. The 14th stage, with 133 kilometers, over 4,400 meters of elevation gain, and five mountain classifications, is one of the toughest of the entire race. The start is in the Roman city of Aosta, with the finish at 1,800 meters in Pila – the ski resort that will open its Bike Stadium for the summer season three weeks later. Over 1,000 kilometers of trails, legendary road bike passes, and one of the most diverse biking offers in the Alps make Italy's smallest region a must-visit for cycling fans.

Giro d'Italia: The Queen Stage leads to the Aosta Valley

Since 1909 – with the exception of the war years – the Giro d'Italia has been held annually in May, regularly stopping in the Aosta Valley. This year, the 14th stage of the 109th edition passes through Italy's smallest region and is considered one of the most demanding mountain stages of this year's Corsa Rosa. The start is in Piazza Chanoux in the heart of Aosta, passing the Arch of Augustus and through 16 municipalities. Five mountain classifications await the riders, including Saint-Barthélemy, Doues, and the final climb to Pila. An intermediate sprint in Roisan adds extra excitement. For those who want to experience it live: the Aosta-Pila and Pila-Stella gondolas will be in operation for this occasion. The race will be broadcast by Eurosport and livestreamed on discovery+, HBO Max, and DAZN.

Downhill: The Pila Bike Stadium opens in June

Pila transforms into a mecca for downhill fans from June 13. Until September 13, the Bike Stadium offers a dozen trails, including a World Cup downhill run and a six-kilometer freeride trail from Les Fleurs to the city center of Aosta. Over 2,200 meters of elevation lead directly into the Roman city. Gondolas conveniently transport riders and bikes up to 1,800 meters. From Stella di Pila at 2,700 meters, one of the most impressive panoramas of the Western Alps unfolds.

Mountain Biking: Trails for every level

The Aosta Valley can be explored by mountain bike on over 1,000 kilometers of unpaved trails. In Cogne, where cross-country skiers leave their tracks in winter, bikers conquer the untouched nature of the Gran Paradiso National Park in summer. The offerings range from family-friendly loops near Gimillan to the Grand Paradiso Bike trail with 50 kilometers and 1,500 meters of elevation. With over 170 kilometers of trails, La Thuile is one of the most extensive areas in the region. Cervinia and the Matterhorn Valley complement the network with enduro and freeride trails.

Road Cycling: Passes like the pros

Those who want to ride the pros' route themselves can download the Giro stage as a GPX track and travel on the same roads where the Corsa Rosa was decided just weeks before. The Aosta Valley offers two worlds for road cyclists: In the valley, quiet routes lead through vineyards and past medieval castles, while the Alpine passes offer real elevation challenges. For example, the Great St. Bernard Pass at 2,472 meters connects the Aosta Valley with Switzerland and offers one of Europe's most impressive pass crossings.
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Note for editors:

General information about the Aosta Valley destination can be found at https://www.lovevda.it/de.
More information about the Giro d’Italia can be found here.

Images for the press release are available here. Images of the Aosta Valley as a destination are available at https://bit.ly/Aostatal_Allgemein. Please always credit the copyright as stated in the filename. Further image material on request.

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