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.

Via Provinciale Anacapri is a challenging coastal road situated on the island of Capri in the southern part of Italy.

Livigno Pass-Forcola di Livigno Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,315m (7,595ft) above sea level, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy.

Passo di Pennes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,211m (7,254ft) above sea level, located in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy.

Cima Grappa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,775m (5,769ft) above sea level, straddling the provinces of Treviso, Vicenza, and Belluno in Italy. At the top is the Sacrario Militare del Monte Grappa, a monumental burial site for soldiers killed on both sides of World War I.

Passo di Falzarego is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,105m (6,906ft) above sea level, located in the province of Belluno, in the Veneto region of Italy.

Passo di Verva is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.301m (7,549ft) above sea level located in the Province of Sondrio, in the Lombardy region of Italy.

Passo San Marco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,985m (6,512ft) above sea level, located in the Italian region of Lombardy.

Located in the northern part of Italy, Via dei Saraceni is one of the most spectacular roads in the country. This dirt track is about 20 km (12 miles) long, reaching heights of over 2,000 meters above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe. 4x4 vehicles only.

Passo Pianella is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,365m (4,478ft) above sea level located in the province of Vicenza in Italy.

Passo della Mulattiera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,412m (7,913ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Turin, in the Piedmont region of Italy.

Colle del Lago dei Signori-Col de Seigneurs is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,130m (6,988ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.

Located in the middle of the Dolomites, in the Italian Belluno province, the road running along the Serrai di Sottoguda gorge is one of the narrowest roads in the world. The Sottoguda gorge is closed to traffic; only pedestrians and cyclists are allowed.

Passo della Berga is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.527m (5,009ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in the Lombardy region of Italy. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Anfo ridge road. 

Passo di Manghen is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,047m (6,716ft) above sea level, located in Trentino in the Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. This is a tough climb from both the north and south.

Colle del Mulo is a high mountain peak, at an elevation of 2,523m (8,277ft) above sea level, located in the province of Cuneo, in the Italian region of Piedmont.

Lago di Teleccio is a high mountain artificial lake at an elevation of 1.918m (6,292ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Italy. The road is really steep, with sections up to 15.7% and 20 hairpin turns. It is narrow, so keep the speed down and be ready to move over and make room for oncoming vehicles.

Located on the eastern coast of the Italian region of Sardinia, Strada Statale 125 Orientale Sarda is one of the most beautiful roads in Europe.

Laghi di Cedèc is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.833m (9,294ft) above sea level, located in the Italian province of Sondrio. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Passo Stalle (Staller Saddle) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.061m (6,761ft) above sea level, located on the Austria–Italy border. Drive at moderate speed. You’re not on a race.

Passo del Dosso Alto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.727m (5,666ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in the Lombardy region of Italy. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Anfo ridge road. 

Sanson Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.694m (5,557ft) above sea level, located on the border between France and Italy.

Monte Chaberton is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.131m (10,272ft) above sea level, located in the department of Hautes-Alpes, in France. The summit features a fortress with remnants of a WWI & WWII artillery battery. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Sella Ciampigotto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.830m (6,003ft) above sea level, straddling Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions of Italy.

Rifugio Sapienza is a high mountain refuge situated at an elevation of 1,935 meters (6,348 feet) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Catania, in Italy.

Col de la Boaire-Colle della Boaria is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.102m (6,896ft) above sea level, located on the border of France and Italy.

Muro di Guardiagrele is a piece of road located in Guardiagrele, a town in the province of Chieti, in Italy. At its steepest, near the bottom, it hits a 30% of gradient.

Colle Lazzara is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,595 m (5,232 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Torino, in Italy.

Passo Ravenola is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.072m (6,797ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy. The road through the summit is the spectacular SP345B.

Cala Gonone is a small beach town located in the Province of Nuoro, on the eastern coast of central Sardinia, in Italy. 

Passo del Cason di Lanza is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.552m (5,091ft) above the sea level, located in Udine, a province in the autonomous Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, bordering Austria. The final 6km hit gradients of up to 16%. 

Colle del Garezzo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.795m (5,889ft) above sea level, located in the mountainous and hilly province of Imperia, in the Liguria region of Italy. 

Schlüsseljoch is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,212m (7,257ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Italy.

Col du Fréjus is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.546m (8,353ft) above sea level, located on the Franco-Italian border.

Passo Rolle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.989m (6,526ft) above sea level, located in Trentino, in Italy.

Colle Blegier is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,381m (7,811ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Torino, Italy. It’s the fourth pass on the Assietta Road.

Pian del Re is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2,020m (6,627ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.