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.
How to drive the unpaved track to Passo di Val Viola?
The Passo di Val Viola is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.432m (7,979ft) above sea level, situated on the border between Italy (Lombardy) and Switzerland (Graubünden). The Italian access from Arnoga follows a 9.7 km unpaved track that penetrates the Valdidentro. Logistically, the pass is a dead-end for motor vehicles, as the track narrows into a single walking path in the final meters before the border, with no motorable continuation on the Swiss side toward Poschiavo.
Alpe di Rodengo
Alpe di Rodengo, also known as Rodenecker Alm, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.715m (5,626ft) above the sea level, located in the Lüsner mountains in South Tyrol, Italy.
Colla Domenica
Colla Domenica is a mountain pass at an elevation of 947m (3,106ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.
Pian della Mussa
Pian della Mussa is a high mountain town at an elevation of 1.847m (6,059ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont.
Corno della Paura
Corno della Paura is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.525m (5,003ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige.
Lago Layet
Lago Layet is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.273m (7,457ft) above the sea level, located in the Valle d’Aosta region, in northwestern Italy.
Valle Varaita
Valle Varaita is a valley in south-west of Piedmont, in the Province of Cuneo - Italy, at an elevation of 1.882m (6,174ft) above the sea level.
Bella Vista Refuge
Rifugio Bella Vista is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.887m (9,471ft) above the sea level, located in Italy’s South Tyrol region.
Valnontey
Valnontey is a small mountain town at an elevation of 1.666m above the sea level, located in Aosta Valley, in Italy.
Cima Mares
Cima Mares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.561m (5,121ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region Piedmont.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Mont Fraitève
Mont Fraitève is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.687m (8,815ft) above the sea level, located in Piedmont region in northwest Italy, near the French border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Strada Berbenno di Valtellina-Caldenno
Berbenno di Valtellina-Caldenno road is one of the Most Insane Bike Rides You Don't Want to Miss. Located in the Province of Sondrio in the Italian region Lombardy, the climb is just brutal. The maximum slope is 40%. It’s one of the hardest and most epic climbs you can ride on two wheels.
Colle del Prete
Colle del Prete is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.733m (5,685ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont.
Colle Puazzo
Colle Puazzo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.112m (3,648ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region Piedmont.
Monte Campigoletti
Monte Campigoletti is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.052m (6,732ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige, in northern Italy. During the World War I, one of the most fierce battles was fought on its slopes.
Monte Cimonasso
Monte Cimonasso is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.085m (6,840ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.
Strada Provinciale 64 (SP64) is the road that has it all in the Veneto
Strada Provinciale 64 (SP64) is a highly challenging mountain road located in the province of Vicenza, Italy. This road offers jaw-dropping views, unparalleled freedom, and lots of fresh air.
Val Forcola
Val Forcola is a high mountain valley at an elevation of 2.126m (6,975ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy.
Lago del Diavolo
Lago del Diavolo is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.126m (6,975ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy.
Translessinia
Translessinia (Strada Provinciale 14) is a very funny dirt-road experience in the Province of Verona in the Italian region Veneto, running entirely over 1.500m above the sea level.
Helios Refuge
Rifugio Helios is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.328m (7,637ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont.
Monte Borzalet
Monte Borzalet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.277m (7,470ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of north-western Italy.
La Riposa Refuge: Driving the 1,587m Climb in Piedmont
At an elevation of 2,205m (7,230ft) above sea level, La Riposa Refuge (locally known as Rifugio La Riposa) is a high mountain cabin located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in the Piedmont region of Italy. Positioned on the slopes of Monte Rochemelon, the road to the refuge is a challenging alpine track used primarily by hikers and mountain rescue services.
Monte Castelberto
Monte Castelberto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.765m (5,790ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino, in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.
Lago Volaia
The Lago Volaia (Wolayersee) is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.963m (6,440ft) above the sea level, located in the Carnic Alps, on the Swiss-Italian border.
Monte Lagazuoi
Monte Lagazuoi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.572m (8,438ft) above the sea level, located in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It’sone of the highest roads of the country.
Colle Pian Fum
Colle Pian Fum is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.999m (6,558ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont.
Forte del Monte Scale
Forte del Monte Scale is a high mountain military fortress at an elevation of 2.213m (7,260ft) above the sea level, located in the municipality of Valdidentro Sondrio, in Lombardy (Italy) and belongs to the Alps.
Selle Pass
Passo le Selle is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.536m (8,320ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. High winds blow here all year long. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Alpe Vieille
Alpe Vieille is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.240m (7,349ft) above the sea level, located in the Valle d’Aosta region, in northwestern Italy.
Lago Dietro la Torre
Lago Dietro la Torre is a high mountain artificial lake at an elevation of 2.372m (7,782ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region Piedmont.
Bassa di Colombart
Bassa di Colombart is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.466m (8,090ft)above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont.
Lavaredo Refuge
Rifugio Lavaredo is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 2.353m (7,719ft) above the sea level, located in the Sexten Dolomites of northeastern Italy, rising on the border between the northernmost section of the province of Belluno and Alta Pustera, in South Tyrol.
Punta del Cavallo Pass
Punta del Cavallo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.290m (7,513ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont.
Punta Chaligne
Punta Chaligne is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.311m (7,582ft) above the sea level, located in the Valle d’Aosta region, in northwestern Italy.
Colle di Sant'Anna di Vinadio
Colle di Sant'Anna di Vinadio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.301m (7,549ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps, on the French-Italian border.