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.
Albergo Saltner Edelweiss
Albergo Saltner Edelweiss is a high mountain hotel at an elevation of 1.351m (4,429ft) above the sea level, located in the South Tyrol province of north Italy. The climb is simply brutal, with a maximum gradient of 30%.
Chalet Val Ferret
Chalet Val Ferret is an Alpine hotel at an elevation of 1.771m (5,810ft) above the sea level, located in northern Italy, in the autonomous region of Aosta Valley.
Cappella Madonna del Cotolivier
Cappella Madonna del Cotolivier is a high mountain chruch at an elevation of 2.086m (6,843ft) above the sea level,located in the Italian province of Turin, in 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 Torrei
Lago Torrei is a mountain reservoir at an elevation of 874m (2,867ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian island of Sardinia.
Lago di Rochemolles
Lago di Rochemolles is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.982m (6,502ft) above the sea level, located in Piedmont, Italy, in the middle of Susa Valley.
Ghiacciaio dei Forni Refuge
Rifugio Ghiacciaio dei Forni is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.178m (7,145ft) above the sea level, located in the Cedec valley, in the Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy.
Valanza Refuge
Rifugio Valanza is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.748m (5,734ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont.
Valnontey
Valnontey is a small mountain town at an elevation of 1.666m above the sea level, located in Aosta Valley, in Italy.
Monte Soro: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Monte Soro is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.848m (6,062ft) above the sea level located in the Italian region Sicily. It’s a great route for its twisty roads, beautiful colors and views.
Col Margherita
Col Margherita is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.524m (8,280ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Trentino-South Tyrol and Veneto regions, in Italy. It is one of the most popular viewpoints in the Dolomites.
Pier Fortunato Calvi Refuge
Rifugio Pier Fortunato Calvi is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.164m (7,099ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the southern Alps in the Veneto region of Northern 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.
Silvella Pass
Passo Silvella, also known as Kniebergsattel, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.329m (7,641ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the southern Alps in the Veneto region of Northern Italy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sass del Mul
Sass del Mul is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.625m (8,612ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It’s one of the highest mountain 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.
Monte Curcio
Monte Curcio is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.769m (5,803ft) above the sea level, located in the Calabria region of Southern Italy.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Monte Dubasso
Monte Dubasso is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.538m (5,045ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region of Piedmont.
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.
La Riposa Refuge
Rifugio La Riposa is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.205m (7,230 ft) above the sea level, located in Piedmont, Italy.
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.
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.
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.
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. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.