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.
Fedaia Pass is the Italian Job road
Passo Fedaia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,061m (6,761ft) above sea level, located in Italy. It is one of the hardest climbs in the world of cycling.
Baremone Pass is an unforgettable Italian journey
Passo Baremone is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.450m (4,757ft) 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.
Croce Domini Pass is a sensational drive in the Italian Alps
Passo di Croce Domini is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.892m (6,207ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy.
Umbrail Pass is an Alpine high mountain road with 35 hairpin turns
Umbrail Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,506m (8,221ft) above sea level, located on the Swiss-Italian border. At this elevation, the road to the summit is currently the highest paved road in Switzerland and one of the highest paved roads in the Alps.
A journey through the legendary Strada degli Scarubbi
Strada degli Scarubbi is a challenging mountain road located on the boundary between the Veneto and Trentino-South Tyrol regions, in Italy. Built during the First World War, the road is closed to private vehicles.
Driving the Kaiserjagerstrasse-Monterovere to Menador Pass
Menador is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,269m (4,163ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Trento in Italy. The road to the summit is a very challenging drive, not for beginners.
Sella Pass is one of the most iconic roads of the Dolomites
Passo Sella is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.246m (7,368ft) above sea level, located in Italy. The views around you are terrific.
The climb to Monte Zoncolan is even harder than it sounds
Monte Zoncolan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.732m (5,682ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Udine, in the autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia of Italy. This savage mountain pass hits a 23% of maximum gradient.
An old military dirt track to Monte Rite in the Dolomites
Monte Rite is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.168m (7,112ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Belluno in the Italian region of Veneto.
Anfo Ridge Road is a pure Italian adventure
Located in the province of Brescia, in the Lombardy region of Italy, driving the infamous Anfo Ridge Road is a lifetime experience. This old military road is certainly breathtaking and has a fearsome reputation.
A narrow mountain road to Passo delle Erbe
Passo delle Erbe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.993m (6,538ft) above the sea level, located in South Tyrol, in the Italian Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region.
The drive to Giau Pass offers the best views in the Dolomites
Passo di Giau is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.238m (7,342ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Belluno, in the Veneto region of Italy. You get some of the best views at the top. It’s said to be one of the most beautiful passes in the Dolomites.
Muro di Sormano is one of the hardest and most epic climbs
Muro di Sormano is a short but devastatingly steep climb in Sormano, a municipality in the Province of Como in the Italian region of Lombardy. This vertical wall is famous as one of the most severe of any road cycling race, featuring sections in excess of 27% grade. It’s one of the hardest and most epic climbs you can ride on two wheels.
Take the Brutal Via del Sole and Discover Punta Veleno
Punta Veleno is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.171m (3,841ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Verona in the Italian region of Veneto. The terrible narrow road to the summit has 21 hairpin turns (all numbered) and hits a 25% of maximum gradient. Why such roads are built is difficult to understand; why you go up by bike, is perhaps a case for trained psychologists.
Agnel Pass is one of the European highest paved roads
Col Agnel-Colle dell'Agnello is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.744m (9,003ft) above the sea level located on the French-Italian border. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Gardena Pass in the Dolomites is an absolute must for road lovers
Passo Gardena is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.123m (6,965ft) above the sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in South Tyrol, Italy.
A scenic paved road to Lavaze Pass in the Dolomites
Passo di Lavazé is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.824m (5,984ft) above the sea level, located in the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, in Italy.
Pordoi Pass is one of the highest roads of the Dolomites
Passo Pordoi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.242m (7,355ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Trentino in the region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and the Province of Belluno in the region Veneto, in Italy.
A roller coaster road to Cristo Redentore di Maratea
Cristo Redentore di Maratea is a colossal statue of Jesus Christ atop of Monte San Biágio, in Maratea, a town in the province of Potenza, in Italy. The road winds up the side of the mountain bend after bend.
Sela de Culac is a chillout in the Dolomites
Sela de Culac is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.020m (6,627ft) above the sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in South Tyrol, Italy.
Driving Strada dei Cannoni, a military high mountain road in Italy
Strada dei Cannoni is a military road located on the northern part of Italy. The road climbs up from 680m to 2.287m (7,503ft) above the sea level.
Driving the narrow road to Vivione Pass in the Italian Alps
Passo del Vivione is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.836m (6,023ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy.
A steep scenic road to Colle di Saint-Panthaleon in Italy
Col de St-Pantaléon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.676m (5,498ft) above the sea level, located in the Valle d'Aosta autonomous region of Italy.
Galleria dei Saraceni: Unveiling Italy's Mysterious High-Altitude Tunnel in Piedmont
Galleria dei Saraceni, a high-altitude tunnel situated at 2,224m (7,296ft) in the Piedmont region of Italy, has been closed since 2013. Nestled in the southwestern Alps, there are ongoing efforts to reopen this tunnel, also known as Galleria Monte Seguret, as soon as possible.
A narrow road skillfully built with 28 hairpins to Monte San Simeone
Monte San Simeone is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.208m (3,963ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Udine in the Italian autonomous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Exploring Italy's Hidden Gem: The Challenging Road from Prato to Uccea via the Historic Sella Carnizza Pass
Sella Carnizza is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.123m (3,684ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Udine, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy.
Unveiling the Mysteries: Exploring the Abandoned Military Vecchia Strada della Fricca in Trentino-Alto Adige
Vecchia Strada della Fricca is an old, abandoned road located in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It's a true gem of military architecture. Keep in mind that you are in an uncontrolled area with the possibility of falling rocks.
Conquering Theodulpass: One of Europe's Highest and Most Challenging Roads on the Swiss-Italian Border
Theodulpass is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.336m (10,944ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Conquer the Heights: Exploring Colle d’Ancoccia - A Thrilling Mountain Pass Adventure in Piedmont
Colle d’Ancoccia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.533m (8,310ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Cuneo, on the far south west of the region of Piedmont, in Italy.
Tonale Pass: Journeying on Italy's Scenic Road in the Dolomites
Passo del Tonale is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.883m (6,178ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Lombardy, in Italy.
Via Chiantigiana, a scenic road between Florence and Siena through Chianti country
Located in the heart of the central Italy’s Tuscany region, the Strada Regional 222 is a very scenic drive crossing vineyards, olive groves and picturesque small towns.
Colle di Chavannes: Ascend Italy's Historic Military Route in Valle d’Aosta's Alpine Heights
Colle di Chavannes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.608m (8,556ft) above the sea level, located in Valle d’Aosta region of Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Scaling the Heights: A Road Up the Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano Road in Italy's Alpine Splendor
Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.018m (9,901ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian province of Sondrio, in the Lombardy region, near the Swiss border. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Navigating Forcella Luson: Italy's Hidden Gem in the Dolomites
Forcella Luson is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.383m (7,818ft) above the sea level, located in the Trentino-South Tyrol region of Italy.
The Road to Foscagno Pass: The Ultimate Alpine Driving Adventure
Passo di Foscagno is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,308m (7,572ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Sondrio, in the Lombardy region of Italy.
Mortirolo Pass: A Five-Star Road Through the Italian Alps
Situated at the crossroads of Brescia and Sondrio provinces in the Lombardy region of Italy, Passo di Mortirolo soars to an elevation of 1,878m (6,161ft) above the sea level. This legendary ascent stands as one of the most grueling challenges in professional cycling, having been featured repeatedly in the Giro d'Italia stage race.