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.
16 Hairpin Turns to the Summit of Monte Nerone
Monte Nerone is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,512 m (4,960 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino in Italy. Sixteen switchbacks lead to the summit, which is marked by television transmission towers.
Rondenino Pass is pure adventure
Passo di Rondenino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.040m (6,692ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy. The pass is traversed by the challenging SP345B.
A mule path to Francesco Petrarca Refuge
Rifugio Francesco Petrarca (Stettiner Hütte) is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.875m (9,432 ft) above sea level, located in South Tyrol, Italy. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.
Driving the Paved Road to Cibiana Pass in Veneto
Passo Cibiana is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,535 m (5,036 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Belluno in Italy.
The Road to Rifugio Cornisello in the Alps is Not for Timid Drivers
Rifugio Cornisello is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,160m (7,086ft) above sea level, located in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy. It’s known as one of the most challenging drives in the country.
Driving Strada del Vallone di Elva is Well Worth the Time
Strada del Vallone di Elva is a high mountain road located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy. Known for its steep sections, the road has an average gradient of 8.34%.
Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Colombardo Pass in Piedmont
Passo del Colombardo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,898m (6,227ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin in Italy.
The Road to Colle d'Esischie is Not for Timid Drivers
Colle d'Esischie is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,370m (7,775ft) above sea level, located in the Piedmont region of Italy.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Road SP345B
Strada Provinziale 345B (SP345B) is a high mountain road located in the province of Brescia in Italy. It runs almost entirely over 1.900 meters above sea level.
A Wild Military Road to Forte del Gran Serin
Forte del Gran Serin is a military fortress located at an elevation of 2,602m (8,536ft) above sea level, in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. It's one of the highest roads in the country.
An epic enthralling road to Colle Basset
Colle Basset is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.424m (7,952ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Italy.
A military road to Colle dell'Assietta
Colle dell'Assietta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.472m (8,110ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Italy.
Colle San Carlo is an Absolute Must for Road Lovers
Colle San Carlo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,954m (6,410ft) above sea level, located in the Valle d’Aosta region of Italy.
A Dangerous Unpaved Road to Mezzaluna Pass
Passo della Mezzaluna is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,449m (4,753ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Imperia in Italy.
Larche Pass is an awe-inspiring drive in the Alps with 16 hairpin turns
Col de Larche-Colle della Maddalena is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.005m (6,578ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.
The Road to Nota Pass in Lombardy Is Not for Beginners
Passo Nota is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,208m (3,963ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, Italy. The road to the summit starts at the infamous Passo del Tremalzo.
A popular curvy road to the summit of Mendel Pass
Passo Mendola is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,362m (4,469ft) above sea level, located in Italy. It is a very popular drive for cyclists and bikers.
A paved curvy road to the summit of Campolongo Pass in the Dolomites
Passo Campolongo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.875m (6,152ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Veneto and South Tyrol regions of Italy.
Regia Trazzera Prestanfuso in Sicily is one of the steepest roads in the world
Located on the island of Sicily, in Italy, the Regia Trazzera Prestanfuso road is said to be one of the steepest drives in the world. You won’t believe how steep it is until you’re in the middle of the road and your car has no power to finish the climb.
The Wild Road to Colle del Preit
Colle del Preit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.065m (6,774ft) above sea level, located in Cuneo province, in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy.
The historic paved road to Brocon Pass
Passo Brocon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,616m (5,302ft) above sea level, located in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.
Adventure along the narrow road to Colle di Valcavera
Colle di Valcavera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,416m (7,926ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in Italy.
A beautiful paved road to Eira Pass in the Alps
Passo d'Eira is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,209m (7,247ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, in Italy.
The road to Radici Pass: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles
Passo delle Radici is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,529m (5,016ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany regions in Italy.
A curvy road with 75 hairpin turns to Colle della Lombarda
Col de la Lombarde-Colle della Lombarda is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.354m (7,723ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.
If you love to drive, you will love the road to Mauria Pass
Passo della Mauria is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,298m (4,259ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the regions of Veneto and Friuli in Italy.
The Road to Col de Cannelle is Not for the Faint of Heart
Col de Cannelle is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,882 meters (6,174 feet) above sea level, located on the border between France and Italy.
Col du Clapier is where Hannibal crossed the Alps
Col du Clapier-Colle Clapier is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.480m (8,170ft) above sea level, straddling the Italian-French border.
Travel Guide to Col du Plateau Rosa in the Alps
Col du Plateau Rosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,088m (10,131ft) above sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of Italy. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
A 5-Star Road to Monte Croce di Comelico Pass
Passo Monte Croce di Comelico is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,636m (5,367ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between South Tyrol and Belluno provinces, in Italy.
A Steep (24%) Paved Road to Nigra Pass in the Dolomites
Passo Nigra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,688m (5,538ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Italy.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Tanarello Pass in the Ligurian Alps
Tanarello Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,042m (6,699ft) above sea level, located on the French-Italian border.
An Awe-Inspiring Paved Road to Costalunga Pass
Passo di Costalunga is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,745m (5,725ft) above sea level, located in the South Tyrol province of Italy.
A very narrow road to Colle del Vallonetto
Colle del Vallonetto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.439m (8,001ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.
An Iconic Road to Valles Pass in the Dolomites
Passo Valles is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,032m (6,667ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions in Italy.
Muro di Campeggio: a devastatingly steep paved road
Muro di Campeggio is a short but devastatingly steep climb located in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, in Italy. It is said to be one of the most severe climbs of any road cycling race worldwide.