What are the most spectacular roads in Italy?

Located in the southern part of Europe, Italy is a dream for drivers as it hosts the mountain passes (the Alps), coastal drives (Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian, and Ligurian), and some of the most famous scenic routes in the world.

Choosing only a few roads to drive in the country is nearly impossible, as there are about 600 spectacular routes. Stelvio Pass is Europe's most famous road. At an elevation of 2,757m (9,045ft) above sea level, the pass is located in the northern part of the country. It's one of the highest roads in Europe. Featuring 48 hairpin turns, the road through the summit is a marvel of engineering.

If you prefer coastal drives, you must experience the breathtaking Amalfi Coast Road. The road follows the shoreline from Sorrento south to Salerno. The road has been featured in films since cameras started rolling at 24 frames per second. If you want to feel like James Bond, don’t skip Strada della Forra. A small car with a functioning horn is recommended. For skilled drivers only. The drive is known by motorcyclists from all over Europe, as it is impressive and not without danger in a few narrow and steep spots. If you prefer roads with a story, don’t miss the Strada delle 52 Gallerie, a WWI military mule road. Built on the massif of Pasubio, it was constructed in this position to stay away from Austro-Hungarian artillery fire.

Located in the Province of Como in the Italian region Lombardy, Rifugio Venini is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.576m (5,170ft) above the sea level.

Colletto di Canosio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.650m (5,413ft) above the sea level, located in the Val Maira, a valley in south-west of Piedmont in the Province of Cuneo, Italy.

Colle Bettone is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.834m (6,017ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region of Piedmont.

Colle delle Selle Vecchie is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.099m (6,886ft) above the sea level, located in the Mercantour National Park, on the French-Italian border.

Brenner Pass is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1,370m (4,495ft) above sea level located on the Italian-Austrian border.

Rifugio Barmasse is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.169m (7,116ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps, in Aosta Valley, Italy.

Rifugio Dondena is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.192m (7,191ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in Aosta Valley, Italy.

Monte Gran Costa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.615m (8,579ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont. It's one of the highest roads in Italy.

Lago di Morasco is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.794m (5,885ft) above the sea level, located in Alta Val Formazza, in Piedmont, Italy.

Monte Faudo is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.149m (3,769ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.

Forcella di Allegheis a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.823m (5,980ft) located in the province of Belluno in the Italian region of Veneto.

Passo di Pradarena is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.579m (5,180ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Emilia Romagna and Tuscany regions, in northern Italy.

Passo Cinque Croci is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.018m (6,620ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Alps, in Trentino, northern Italy.

Valico di Monte Cristo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.767m (5,797ft)  above the sea level, located in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

Col del Sommeiller is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,993m (9,819ft) above sea level, located on the French-Italian border. It's one of the highest roads in Europe. This beautiful 26-kilometer climb above Bardonecchia has it all: hairpins, alpine dams, a lake at the summit, and views to die for.

Great Saint Bernard Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,469m (8,100ft) above sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy.

The Strada Foresta Girgini is a very challenging drive in the Province of Nuoro in Italian island of Sardinia. The route demands 100% concentration. This road has humbled many egos. Open to all motorized vehicles, however, strongly recommended for high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles. The road is very rough--only try driving it in a 2wd car, if you're planning to buy a new car.

Lago d'Arpon is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.830m (6,003ft) above the sea level located on the border of France and Italy.

Colle Bicocca (Col d'la Bicoco) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.287m (7,503ft) above the sea level, located in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy.

Forcella Pecol is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.787m (5,862ft) located in the province of Belluno in the Italian region of Veneto.

Baita del Pastore is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.173m (7,129ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy.

Passo Feudo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.190m (7,185ft) above the sea level, located in Trento province, in Italy.

Lago della Rovina is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.540m (5,052ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy.

Colla di Langan is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.044m (3,425ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.

Colle de Carsene is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.221m (7,286ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, between France and Italy.

Monte Arrubiu (Mont'Arrubiu) is a peak at an elevation of 442m (1,450ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cagliari in the Italian region Sardinia.

Passo di Montescuro Sila is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.618m (5,308ft) above the sea level, located in the Southern Italian region of Calabria.

Passo della Guardia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.508m (4,947ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps on the border between Italy and France. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Via del Sale.

Forcella di Pradazzo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.225m (7,299ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy.

Monte Amiata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.683m (5,521ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Siena in the southern Tuscany region of Italy.

Baite di Mezzeno is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 1.609m (5,278ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy.

Colle di Joux is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.640m (5,380ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley of northwestern Italy.

Col de Pernante is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.898m (6,227ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps, on the border between France and Italy.

Passo del Dil is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.797m (5,895ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardy, in Italy.

Col de Bousson is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.154m (7,066ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, between France and Italy.

Colle della Ciabra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.712m (5,616ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont.

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