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.
Travel guide to the top of Chaschauna Pass
Pass Chaschauna-Passo di Cassana is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.698m (8,851ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and Switzerland. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
How to get by car to Col de Valvacin in the Dolomites?
Col de Valvacin is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,360m (7,742ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Trento, in Italy.
How difficult is the 4x4 road to Lago Gabiet in the Aosta Valley?
Lago Gabiet is a high mountain reservoir reaching an elevation of 2,384m (7,821ft) above sea level in the Gressoney Valley, part of the Aosta Valley region in Northern Italy. Tucked into the foothills of the Monte Rosa massif, the road to this alpine lake is a demanding unpaved track that serves the local ski infrastructure. This is a journey through a high-altitude landscape where the steepness of the ramps and the loose rocky surface require a capable 4x4 vehicle and a driver comfortable with narrow, unprotected mountain ledges.
Road SP269c: Driving the Narrow Coastal Ascent in Campania
Located in the Salerno province of the Campania region in southwestern Italy, Strada Provinciale 269c (SP269c) is a technical mountain road. The route serves as a secondary link between the coastal area of Marina di Campagna and the town of Mandia, traversing the steep ridges overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Strada dei Crozi: An Old Road Carved into the Rock in Trento
Strada dei Crozi is a dangerous and narrow mountain road located in the Trentino–Alto Adige region of northern Italy. In 1972, the road was closed to vehicles but reopened again for a brief period (2020-2022).
Driving to Monte Giogo: Abandoned NATO Antennas and Cold War Relics in the Tuscan Mountains
Monte Giogo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,510m (4,954ft) above sea level, located in the province of Massa-Carrara in the Tuscany region of Italy.
Road trip guide: Conquering Cima Palon
Cima Palon is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.067m (6,781ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol in Italy.
Driving the steep 4x4 road to the Palasinaz Lakes in Aosta
The Palasinaz Lakes, also known as the "7 Lakes" (including Literan, Battaglia, Verde, Potcha, Chaudière, Lungo, and Bringuets), are a spectacular group of alpine basins at an elevation of 2,445 meters (8,021 ft) above sea level. Located in the Aosta Valley region of north-western Italy, the track to reach them is a raw, high-altitude mountain road that demands absolute mechanical respect. This isn't a route for standard cars; it is a sustained, unpaved climb that snakes up from the Val d'Ayas, offering a technical driving experience where the thin air and the loose surface will test the limits of your 4WD system.
How to drive the military track to Colle Plane?
Colle Plane is a high-altitude mountain pass at an elevation of 2,222m (7,290ft) above sea level, situated on the international border between Italy (Piedmont) and France (Alpes-Maritimes). Located in the Ligurian Alps, the road to the summit is a critical segment of the historical Via Marenca and is technically integrated into the wider logistical network of the Via del Sale. This narrow, unpaved military track requires a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle due to extreme surface degradation and deep erosion gullies.
The inhumane climb to Monte Lussari with 22% ramps
Monte Lussari is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.745m (5,725ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Udine, in the autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia of Italy.
Laghi di Champlong
Laghi di Champlong is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.353m (7,719ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of north-west Italy.
A scenic unpaved road to Monte Bellino in the Cottian Alps
Monte Bellino is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.172m (7,125ft) above the sea level, located in Cuneo province, in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy.
A race on the Italian Strada Provinciale 349
The Strada Provinciale 349 (SP349) is a challenging mountain road located in the Vicenza Pre-Alps, in the province of Vicenza, in the Veneto region of Italy.
Grotte di San Giovanni: The Cave with a Road Inside
Located in Domusnovas, Sardinia, Grotta San Giovanni is a cave with a road running through it. It was the only cave in Italy that allowed vehicle passage before being closed to traffic. Now, visitors can walk along the road inside the cave. It’s one of the few roads in the world that runs through a cave.
A military road to Monte Specie in the Dolomites
Monte Specie is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,308m (7,572ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in South Tyrol, Italy. Along the way, you can see ruins reminiscent of the First World War.
Monte Cengio Mule Track: A Journey Through Italy's Great War Legacy
The Mulattiera di Arroccamento al Monte Cengio is a spectacular Italian military track dating back to the Great War. Dominating the Val d'Astico in the Veneto region, this masterpiece of mountain engineering was built on vertical cliffs to supply men and materials to the bastion of Monte Cengio, the last line of defense for the Po Valley.
Road trip guide: Conquering Monte Chersogno
Monte Chersogno is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.411m (7,910ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Cuneo, in Piedmont, Italy.
Pas du Paradis: Driving the D1006/SS25 Border Road in the Alps
Located on the border between France and Italy, Pas du Paradis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,731m (5,679ft) above sea level. This paved road connects the Savoie department in France with the Piedmont region in Italy.
Strada Provinciale 96 in Basilicata is the road of the 56 tornanti
Strada Provinciale 96 (SP96) is an exceptionally challenging drive situated in the province of Potenza, within the Southern Italian region of Basilicata.
Gole del Saggitario is a scenic canyon road dug into the cliffs of the Apennines
Sagittarius Gorges is a scenic gorge located in the Abruzzo region of Italy. The road through the gorges is extremely challenging yet scenic, with great views of the Apennines.
How to Get to the Iconic Blockhaus in the Apennine?
Blockhaus is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,072m (6,797ft) above sea level, located in the Abruzzo region of Italy.
The wild and steep road to Laghetto di Campaccio
Laghetto di Campaccio is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.314m (7,591ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, in the Lombardy region of Italy.
Fleckner Hut: Driving the high mountain track in the Stubai Alps
Situated in the South Tyrol province of northern Italy, Flecknerhütte (Fleckner Hut) is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,056m (6,745ft) above sea level. Located in the heart of the Stubai Alps, the road leading to the hut offers some of the most dramatic views over the Passeier Valley, though it remains a highly restricted and technical mountain track.
Is Strada Provinciale 97 di Racollo the best road in Italy?
Imagine a fully paved mountain road, with twisting turns, open straights, and almost no traffic. Sounds like a dream? In Italy, the Strada Provinciale 97 di Racollo is a hidden gem, a true paradise for both two- and four-wheel drivers.
Giro d'Italia Roads: The history and legends behind the iconic Italian passes
The Giro d'Italia is a demanding 21-day race that traverses the beautiful and often challenging Italian geography. Since its birth at the beginning of the 20th century, it has transformed ordinary mountain roads into legendary driving routes. Join us to discover the most fascinating stories and the roads that have marked the legend of this competition.
Travel guide to the top of Monte Grane in the Cottian Alps
Monte Grané is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,306 m (7,565 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.
A brutally steep unpaved road to Col de Varda
Col de Varda is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,115m (6,938ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, Italy.
Driving the SP64 to Cima Mammarosa: The gateway to the Majella massif
Located in the heart of the Parco Nazionale della Majella, in the Abruzzo region of Italy, the drive to Cima Mammarosa is a high-altitude transit that tests both driver focus and vehicle stamina. Reaching 1,658m (5,439ft) above sea level, this mountain pass sits on the rugged boundary between the Pescara and Chieti provinces. It is a route defined by the raw verticality of the Apennines, where the asphalt is constantly battling the elements and the mechanical stress on your car is constant.
Discover Italy’s Essence with Every Hertz Car Hire
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Italy is one place which is not just seen - it is supposed to be felt. As a traveller, the first thing that you may have heard about Italy is how the food smells, how the views capture your attention or how the artworks make you spell-bound. So, what is it that sets Italy apart from many other countries?
How to drive the steep gravel sector of Monte Sante Marie?
Monte Sante Marie is a notorious unpaved sector located in the Province of Siena, Tuscany, linking the towns of Asciano and Castelnuovo Berardenga. Known technically as a "sterrato" road, it is a key logistical segment of the Strade Bianche. The route is characterized by a surface of fine white clay and loose gravel, which presents significant traction challenges for motor vehicles, especially during the steep ascent and descent phases where the friction coefficient is extremely low.
How to get to Cesare Branca Refuge in Lombardy?
Rifugio Cesare Branca al Lago delle Rosole is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,483m (8,146ft) above sea level, located in the Lombardy region of Italy.
The Italian Road That Stops Just Short of the Ultimate Danger Zone (Mount Vesuvius, Italy)
Mount Vesuvius is located in the Campania region of Southern Italy, overlooking the Bay of Naples. It lies within the Province of Naples (now the Metropolitan City of Naples) and is the central feature of the Vesuvius National Park.
How to drive the Great Dolomite Road in Italy?
The Great Dolomite Road (Grande Strada delle Dolomiti) is a high-altitude alpine drive in northern Italy. Spanning approximately 110 kilometers, the route is a technical sequence of three different roads: the SS241 from Cardano to Vigo di Fassa, the SS48 through the Val di Fassa, and the SR48 in the Belluno province, ending in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
How to drive the steep chairlift track to Testa Bassa?
Testa Bassa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,454m (8,051ft) above sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of the Italian Alps. The route to the summit is a rugged service road primarily used for chairlift maintenance. Logistically, it represents one of the most demanding short ascents in the area due to its industrial-grade surface and sustained vertical gain.
Driving the high-altitude military road from Monte Saccarello to Colle del Garezzo
The high-altitude track running from Monte Saccarello to Colle del Garezzo is one of the most technical and spectacular military routes in the Ligurian Alps, in the Province of Imperia. This 6.8 km (4.2 miles) unpaved ridge road stays almost entirely above 2,000 meters, crossing several high mountain passes including Sella della Valletta, Passo di Garlenda, Punta di Santa Maria, and Passo Frontè. It is a route that tests the limits of any off-road vehicle and the nerves of the driver.
Driving the mountain road to Forcella Luson in the Dolomites
Forcella Luson is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.383m (7,818ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Bolzano, in the Trentino-South Tyrol region of Italy.