Oldtimer Traktor Tour Stilfserjoch

A vintage tractor rally on the highest road in the Alps

The Oldtimer Traktor Tour Stilfserjoch is one of the most spectacular and unusual events in the South Tyrolean summer. Every year in June, the village of Prato allo Stelvio (known in German as Prad am Stilfserjoch), located in the Vinschgau Valley in the province of Bolzano (Trentino-Alto Adige), becomes the meeting point for hundreds of vintage tractors arriving from over ten European countries.

The event is organized by the Oldtimer Club Vinschgau and centers on a feat as impressive as it is challenging: driving these classic tractors up to the Stelvio Pass, at an altitude of 2,757 meters, along the SS38 state road—widely considered the highest paved road in the Alps and world-famous for its legendary hairpin turns.

The route: from the orchards of the Vinschgau Valley to the summit

The vehicles gather at the Sportzone in Prato allo Stelvio, where they are showcased and kept on display. On the day of the tour, the tractors depart in a convoy, traveling the first few kilometers to Trafoi (approx. 1,450 meters), where the timed section begins on the closed-off Stelvio road. The climb spans approximately 24.7 kilometers with an elevation gain of over 1,800 meters, featuring a series of tight switchbacks that put both engines and drivers to the test. Speed is kept controlled, and the summit must be reached by noon, before the road reopens to public traffic.

More than just a race: a village festival

The tour is accompanied by an authentic folk festival. The Sportzone hosts live music, local folk groups, South Tyrolean culinary specialties, and social gatherings that bring the weekend to life. The event concludes with an awards ceremony, celebrating the oldest tractor, the oldest participant, the driver who traveled the furthest to reach Prato allo Stelvio, and the regularity results from the timed climb.

Rural tradition and environmental awareness

The Oldtimer Traktor Tour Stilfserjoch is also a tribute to the rural culture of the Vinschgau Valley and the history of alpine agricultural mechanization. In recent years, organizers have introduced sustainability measures, including the use of low-impact fuels to reduce the ecological footprint of an event held in such a delicate high-altitude environment.

An international event in the heart of South Tyrol

With its unique atmosphere, combining the mechanical grit of vintage tractors, the vibrant colors of the Vinschgau Valley, and the majesty of the Stelvio Pass, the event has become a staple for historic vehicle enthusiasts across Europe and a source of pride for the community of Prato allo Stelvio and the entire province of Bolzano.