From the south you start in Bormio (1200m) (which might also be the start for climbing the famous Passo dello Stelvio and Passo di Gavia). This side is of moderate difficulty. You could also start at the very southern end of Bormio and climb via Le Motte (1425m). If coming down from Stelvio pass, the shortest way goes via Ponte di Premadio (1237m).

You could possibly be starting higher up at Arnoga (1878m), if you have visited the spectacular (until recently gravel) road to Lago di San Giacomo and the Passo Torre di Fraele/La Bocchetta (1938m), as there is a short-cut road that is partly asphalted to Arnoga (fr. 1861m).

From the north you start at Livigno (1818m) or Livigno (west) (1850m), and have an easy climb, but first you climb the Passo d’Eira (2211m) and descend to Trepalle (2023m) for the final climb to the pass 6.9 km away from the Eira pass.