There are events you organize because they are part of tradition. And then there are those that always manage to surprise you.
The Lotus driving tour Stelvio was exactly that: four days across some of the most spectacular roads in the Alps, plenty of Lotus, new participants, returning friends, and above all, that special atmosphere that makes this gathering so unique.
This year we returned to our roots, with our base camp in Bormio and the Stelvio Pass taking center stage once again.
Friday: Sunset on the Stelvio
The meeting kicked off on Friday in Bormio with the welcome check-in and the first meeting with the participants.
After settling in, at 6:10 PM we set off for our first climb towards the Stelvio Pass.
And what a climb.
At that hour, traffic was virtually non-existent, and upon reaching the summit, we were greeted by one of those unforgettable views: the sunset light, the mountains, the hairpins, and our Lotus parked up there.
For me, it was one of the most beautiful moments of the entire event. Not just for the scenery, but because it was exactly the kind of moment we organize these tours for: few cars, no rush, an incredible road, and the chance to truly enjoy it.
After the descent, we returned to the hotel for the first dinner of the weekend, officially kicking off the Lotus driving tour Stelvio 2026.
pictures by Nicolò B.
Saturday: Stelvio, Switzerland, and Hairpins
Saturday was the heart of the event. After breakfast, we headed back up the Stelvio, tackling its famous hairpins from the Bormio side. Once at the summit, we crossed the border into Switzerland via the Umbrail Pass, one of those roads that simply cannot be missed when driving in this area of the Alps.
From there, we continued towards the Ofenpass before stopping for lunch.
In the afternoon, we gave participants the freedom to tackle the Stelvio individually once again.
Our meeting point was the parking lot in the Lombardy area, near the Hotel Pirovano. From there, we left the cars and walked up to the Tibet Hütte for a coffee break.
And of course, a group photo with all the Lotus was a must.
Back at the hotel, another social moment awaited us: an aperitif. The one organized by Hotel Vallechiara was truly special. Abundant, delicious, and perfect for unwinding after a full day behind the wheel. So abundant that when dinnertime rolled around, we aren’t sure anyone had much room left.
The day, however, had simply been perfect: sunshine, spectacular roads, beautiful cars, and plenty of time spent together.
This year’s group was a bit smaller compared to the 2025 edition, when we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Lotus Elise with a much larger event.
And, honestly, we really loved this more intimate scale. You truly get to talk to everyone, share more moments, and get to know the people who chose to experience the weekend with us.
pictures by Nicolò B.
Sunday: The Gavia Experience
Sunday morning we said goodbye to those heading home and set off with the group choosing to continue the tour to Fondo.
The first challenge of the day was the Gavia Pass. We’ll admit it: the Gavia isn’t exactly our favorite pass to drive. It’s narrow, very narrow in places, and definitely demands some focus. But scenically, it’s a completely different story.
Tackling it together in a compact group made the experience much easier. The lead car acted as a pathfinder and the others followed, managing to maintain a good rhythm without any particular issues.
And once at the summit, the view reminded us why it’s well worth driving through.
After the Gavia, we continued through the mountains to the Tonale Pass, then reached our lunch restaurant.
At Palù della Fava we ate wonderfully well, and we want to thank the entire staff for their warm welcome and hospitality.
In the afternoon, we headed north, passing Lake Molveno. Being a summer Sunday, the area was quite lively, but we still managed to enjoy the route all the way to Fondo. Here we checked into our hotel and prepared for the next day.
pictures by Nicolò B.
Monday: Our Favorite Passes
If Saturday was the day of the Stelvio, Monday was probably the day we drove with the most enthusiasm.
We decided to take the group on some of our absolute favorite roads: the Gampen Pass (Palade), the Mendels Pass (Mendola), Meltina, and Avelengo.
A day of true, intense, no-nonsense driving. Corners, climbs, descents, and mountain roads practically made for our Lotus.
It was one of those days where you keep thinking: I need to show this road to everyone.
For lunch, we stopped at Gandolfi, where we once again ate remarkably well. Because yes, we love driving. But we also love good food. In the afternoon, thanks to virtually nonexistent traffic on the roads, we made it back to the hotel a bit earlier than expected.
And that led to a rather predictable consequence: a decidedly more substantial aperitif than planned.
Let’s just say that when it was time to celebrate the end of the tour, the atmosphere was thoroughly relaxed.
pictures by Nicolò B.
This is the Delightful Driving Spirit
At the end of every tour, there’s always a moment when we stop and reflect on everything that happened over the previous days.
And this time, it was particularly wonderful to hear from participants how much they appreciated not just the roads, but above all the way we experience these events. They told us things that mean more to us than anything else: that on our tours you actually get to drive, that the atmosphere is relaxed, that people help each other out, and that it’s easy to feel part of the group.
And that is exactly what we strive to create.
We organize the event. We participate as part of the group. And above all, we drive
And we do it because we love spending time with people who share our exact same passion for cars and great driving roads.
And perhaps that is the most beautiful part of the Lotus driving tour Stelvio. The Lotuses are the reason we meet. The Stelvio is the place where we meet. But the people are what make the weekend truly special.
Thank You, Stelvio
A massive thank you to all the participants of the Lotus driving tour Stelvio 2026, to those who returned once again, and to those who joined us for the first time. Thank you to everyone who drove with us, shared a corner or a coffee break.
And thanks to the hotels, restaurants, Nicolò (our photographer), and everyone who accompanied us during these four days.
The Stelvio continues to be one of our roads of the heart.
And as long as there are cars to drive, mountains to cross, and people to share it all with, we will be happy to keep organizing these weekends.
