What are the most spectacular roads in Italy?
In the heart of southern Europe, Italy stands tall as a country intricately woven with roads that are emblematic of its rich tapestry of history, unparalleled artistry, and nature's raw, untouched grandeur. To traverse Italy's roads is to embark upon an odyssey that tells tales from epochs gone by and teases with visions of scenic wonders.
Start the journey with the iconic Stelvio Pass, a masterpiece of engineering often hailed as Europe's ultimate driving challenge. As your wheels glide through its countless turns, you're granted front-row seats to the theatre of the Alps, where snow-capped peaks converse with azure skies. Next, set course for the Amalfi Coast Road, a mesmerizing stretch where the Tyrrhenian Sea's sapphire waves play hide and seek with quaint coastal hamlets, reminiscent of postcard-perfect landscapes.
The Strada della Forra, with its cinematic allure, paints a canvas of dramatic gorges and tunnels, forever etched in memories by James Bond's escapades. The towering Gavia Pass, on the other hand, is a silent ode to the majesty of the Italian Alps. As if that isn't enough, the San Boldo Pass astonishes with its intricate dance of 18 hairpin bends and five tunnels, each narrating tales of human ingenuity. Then, in the midst of these giants, the Splügen Pass offers another layer of Alpine wonder, beckoning travelers with its mix of verdant landscapes and historical charm.
Every road in Italy is not just a means of commute; it's a passage through time, a trail of legends, and a gallery of Earth's masterpieces. And as you journey through these pathways, you are not just covering distances; you're collecting tales, imbibing culture, and weaving memories of a lifetime.
Travel Guide to Col du Plateau Rosa
Col du Plateau Rosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.088m (10,131ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of north-western Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
The road to Monte Paularo is not for the faint of heart
Monte Paularo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.970m (6,463ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
The road to Col de Cannelle is not for the faint of heart
Col de Cannelle is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.882m (6,174ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps, on the border between France and Italy.
Bacino di Campo Moro: a very attractive road with endless bends
Bacino di Campo Moro is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2.013m (6,604ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Valtellina, in Italy.
A scenic paved road to Sella Nevea Pass
Passo Sella Nevea is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.187m (3,894ft) above the sea level, located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeast Italy.
Forcella di Monte Rest, an epic climb in the Carnic Alps
Forcella di Monte Rest is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.087m (3566ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Pordenone in the Italian autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
A narrow road to the summit of Monte Altissimo
Monte Altissimo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.069m (6,788ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. At the top of the mountain is the Rifugio Damiano Chiesa.
An old military road to the summit of Monte Grai
Monte Grai is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.920m (6,299ft) above the sea level, located in the Ligurian Alps, a mountain range on the border between France and Italy.
The Wild Road to Selleries Refuge
Rifugio Selleries is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.023m (6,637ft) above the sea level, located in Roure, Province of Turin, Italy. The road to reach the summit starts asphalted, but the last 5 km are a dirt track.
A military paved road to Teglia Pass
Passo della Teglia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.387m (4,550ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.
Bocca di Forca, one of the hardest climbs in Italy
Bocca di Forca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.402m (4,597ft) above the sea level, located in the Veneto region of Italy. It has been rated one of the hardest climbs in Italy, with an average gradient of 11.44%.
A wild road to San Lucio Pass
Passo San Lucio is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.541m (5,056ft) above the sea level located in the border of Switzerland and Italy, in the Lugano Prealps.
Colle Sestriere is a drive worth taking
Colle Sestriere (Col de Sestriere) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.035m (6,677ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, in the Province of Turin, Italy. It is situated 17 km (11 mi) from the French border.
An awe-inspiring road to Palade Pass
Passo delle Palade is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.518m (4,980ft) above the sea level, located in the South Tyrol, northern Italy.
A sensational paved road to Passo di Misurina
Passo di Misurina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.756m (5,761ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, Veneto, in northern Italy.
A narrow paved road to Colle Melosa
Colle Melosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.540m (5,052ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria, near the French border.
Staulanza Pass, an iconic road in the Italian Dolomites
Forcella Staulanza (Passo Staulanza) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.773m (5,817ft) above the sea level, located in the Dolomites in the province of Belluno in Italy.
The abandoned military road to Cima Ciantiplagna
Cima Ciantiplagna is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.849m (9,347ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
A curvy paved road to San Pellegrino Pass
Passo San Pellegrino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.918m (6,293ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian Alps. It marks the border between Trentino and the province of Belluno.
An iconic paved road to Campo Imperatore
Campo Imperatore is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2.167m (7,109ft) above the sea level, locaated in the Abruzzo region of central Italy.
Travel Guide to Colletto Campanino
Colletto Campanino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.142m (7,027ft) above the sea level, located in the Ligurian Alps, a mountain range on the border between France and Italy. There’s a dirt gravel track to reach the summit.
A memorable road trip to Lago di Malciaussia
Lago di Malciaussia is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.823m (5,980ft) above the sea level, located in the upper Valle di Viù in the north-west Italian province of Turin.
Monte Martello, a delightful yet challenging road to the summit
Monte Martello is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.051m (6,729ft) above the sea level, located in Val Martello, in the province of Bolzano, Italy. The gradient exceeds 10% for most of the final 1.3km, including the last 14% section with 1km remaining.
A military road to Colle Bandia
Colle Bandia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.429m (7,969ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, Piedmont, northern Italy.
An old military road to Dordona Pass
Passo di Dordona is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.074m (6,804ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy.
A delightful yet challenging road to Monte Bondone
Monte Bondone is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.654m (5,426ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol in Italy. The climb is pretty steep, with sections up to 13%.
A military old road to Cima Bianca
Cima Bianca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.977m (9,767ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy, near the Swiss border. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
The inhumane climb to Rifugio Angelo Bosi al Monte Piana with 29% ramps
Rifugio Angelo Bosi al Monte Piana is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.212m (7,257ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, in northeastern Italy.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Cinque Torri Refuge
Rifugio Cinque Torri is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.137m (7,011ft) above the sea level, located in Veneto, a region in Northern Italy.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Colle Lauson
Colle Lauson is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.497m (8,192ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin, Italy.
The paved road to Valbona Pass in the Venetian Prealps
Passo Valbona is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.781m (5,843ft) above the sea level, located in the Veneto Region, in the north-eastern part of Italy.
A paved narrow road to Guspessa Pass
Passo di Guspessa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.824m (5,984ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Brescia, Lombardy, northern Italy.
Little Saint-Bernard Pass is an absolute must for road lovers
Little St Bernard Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.188m (7,178ft) above the sea level, located at the Italian-French border. Keep reading to find out more about when and how you can take the drive, as well as some of the notable sights you’ll see.
Platigliole Pass: a memorable road trip
Passo delle Platigliole is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.908m (9,540ft) above sea level located in the Alps, in the province of Sondrio, Lombardy, near the Italian and Swiss border. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Castrin Pass, located inside a tunnel
Passo Castrin, also known as Hofmahdjoch, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.781m (5,843ft) above the sea level, located in the Ortler Alps in South Tyrol, Italy.
An old military road to Cornetto di Confine
Cornetto di Confine is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.545m (8,349ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps on the border between Austria and Italy. It's one of the highest mountain roads of the country.