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.
Monte Chaberton: Get behind the wheels for one of the planet’s most challenging trips
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.
The breathtaking road through Serrai di Sottoguda in the Dolomites
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.
A road with several dizzying hairpin bends to Cala Gonone
Cala Gonone is a small beach town located in the Province of Nuoro, on the eastern coast of central Sardinia, in Italy.
The mule track to the top of Passo della Mulattiera
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.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Italian Via dei Saraceni
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.
A 5-star road to Manghen Pass in the Dolomites
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.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Laghi di Cedec
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.
The Unpaved Road to Monte Corrasi in Sardinia Runs Through a Lunar Landscape
Monte Corrasi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,463m (4,799ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous island region of Sardinia, Italy. It’s said to be one of the wildest and most remote drives in the Mediterranean.
A memorable road trip to Verva Pass in the Alps
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.
The road to Lago di Teleccio: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles
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.
How to travel Strada della Cucca to Pianella Pass?
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.
Colle del Lago dei Signori: everything you need to know about this famed road
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.
Berga Pass: enjoy a road among the clouds in Italy
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.
Driving the unpaved military road to Colle del Mulo
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.
An old military unpaved road to Sanson Pass in the Ligurian Alps
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.
A serpentine road to the summit of Rolle Pass in the Dolomites
Passo Rolle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.989m (6,526ft) above sea level, located in Trentino, in Italy.
Driving the Exhilarating SP 227 di Portofino on the Italian Riviera Coastline
Located in the province of Genoa, in Italy, Strada Provinciale 227 di Portofino (SP 227) is one of the world's best coastal drives.
Colle della Boaria is a challenging drive in the Cottian Alps
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.
Dosso Alto Pass: enjoy a road among the clouds
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.
Muro di Guardiagrele is one of Italy's steepest roads
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.
SS18 from Sapri to Acquafredda, an Italian road for James Bond
Spanning the Campania and Basilicata regions of Italy, the iconic Strada Statale 18 from Sapri to Acquafredda is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The road has been featured in movies, high-end auto commercials, and advertisements.
Tunnel du Mont-Blanc is an Engineering Marvel Connecting France and Italy in the Alps
The Tunnel du Mont-Blanc, located on the French-Italian border within the Alps, is one of the most significant engineering feats of the 20th century. The tunnel runs beneath Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe.
The Road to Colle Lazzara Is Not Recommended If You Don’t Know How to Reverse
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.
A narrow winding road to Sella Ciampigotto
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.
Driving the curvy and narrow road to Cason di Lanza Pass in the Alps
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%.
Valparola Pass is an iconic Giro d'Italia climb
Passo di Valparola is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,168m (7,113ft) above sea level, located in the province of Belluno, in Italy.
Ravenola Pass is an adventure road you'll never forget
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.
Saint-Barthelemy is a classic road trip in the Italian Alps
Saint-Barthélemy is a high mountain town at an elevation of 1,647m (5,403ft) above sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of Italy.
Driving the legendary Via del Sale road to Colle del Garezzo
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.
Travel guide to the top of Colle Blegier
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.
How to drive the unpaved road to Madriccio Refuge in South Tyrol
Rifugio Madriccio-Madrisch Hütte is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,828 m (9,278 ft) above sea level, located in South Tyrol, Italy.
A narrow paved road to the top of Monte Cesen
Monte Cesen da Valdobbiadene is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.504m (4,934ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Treviso of Italy.
Dosso dei Galli: a road on top of the mountains
Dosso dei Galli is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.188m (7,178ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy. The pass is traversed by the challenging SP345B.
Driving the old military road to Schlusseljoch in South Tyrol
Schlüsseljoch is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,212m (7,257ft) above sea level, located in the Zillertal Alps. Situated in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (South Tyrol) in northern Italy, it lies very close to the Austrian border.
Driving the Unpaved Road to Margherina Pass
Colle Margherina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,420m (7,939ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.
Sebina Occidentale-SP469: One of Italy's Most Scenic Roads
Sebina Occidentale is one of Italy's most scenic and challenging roads. Located in the province of Bergamo, the road runs along the western shore of Lake Iseo, the fourth-largest lake in the region. It's a beautiful route from Sarnico to Lovere, passing through the narrow streets of picturesque coastal towns.