Stelvio Pass

Passo dello Stelvio

The highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps at 2,757m. Famous for its 48 hairpin bends on the Prato side and a legendary Giro d'Italia summit.

Col Agnel

Col Agnel / Colle dell'Agnello

Third-highest paved pass in the Alps and highest Franco-Italian border crossing. Connects the Queyras to Pontechianale through barren high-altitude terrain.

Gavia Pass

Passo di Gavia

A wild, dramatic high pass in the Ortler Alps. Famous for the epic 1988 Giro d'Italia blizzard stage. Narrow and adventurous, especially on the Ponte di Legno side.

Nivolet Pass

Colle del Nivolet

Spectacular dead-end road in Gran Paradiso National Park reaching 2,612m. Stunning alpine lakes, ibex sightings, and pristine wilderness. Closed to private traffic on some summer weekends.

Umbrail Pass

Giogo di Santa Maria

Branches off the Stelvio road on the Italian side to connect with Switzerland's Val Müstair. Shares the initial climb with the Stelvio. The highest Swiss road pass summit.

Colle della Fauniera

Dramatic dead-end climb in the Maritime Alps. Famous Giro d'Italia summit, sometimes designated as Cima Coppi. Also known as Colle dei Morti. Extremely challenging.

Timmelsjoch

Timmelsjoch / Passo del Rombo

A high alpine border crossing between Austria's Ötztal valley and Italy's Passeiertal. Features striking modern architecture installations along the route and spectacular high-altitude views.

Great St Bernard Pass

Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard

One of the oldest Alpine crossings, used since the Bronze Age. Famous for the hospice founded in 1050 AD and its St. Bernard rescue dogs. Napoleon crossed with his army in 1800.

Col de la Lombarde

Col de la Lombarde / Colle della Lombarda

High Franco-Italian border crossing connecting Isola 2000 ski resort to Vinadio in Italy. Dramatic switchbacks on the French side through the Maritime Alps.

Bernina Pass (from Tirano)

Passo del Bernina

Italian approach from Tirano through the Poschiavo valley to the Bernina summit. Tirano is the terminus of the UNESCO Bernina Express. One of the highest year-round passes.

Forcola di Livigno

Passo della Forcola di Livigno

Connects the duty-free town of Livigno with the Swiss Engadin valley. Hairpins through high-altitude terrain with Rhaetian peak views.

Foscagno Pass

Passo del Foscagno

Main Italian approach to Livigno from Bormio. High pass with open, windswept terrain in the Rhaetian Alps. Often combined with Passo d'Eira.

Colle di Sampeyre

High pass connecting the Varaita and Maira valleys in the Cottian Alps. Spectacular panoramic views. Narrow but fully paved.

Sella Pass

Passo Sella / Sellajoch

One of the most spectacular Dolomite passes between the Sella group and the Sassolungo. Part of the Sellaronda circuit. World-class views of towering Dolomite pinnacles.

Pordoi Pass

Passo Pordoi / Pordoijoch

Highest Sellaronda pass and legendary Giro d'Italia climb. Known as the 'terrace of the Dolomites.' Cable car from the summit reaches the Sass Pordoi plateau at 2,950m.

Giau Pass

Passo Giau

One of the most photogenic Dolomite passes with sweeping views of Nuvolau, Averau, and Croda da Lago. Steep approach from Cortina. Challenging Giro d'Italia climb.

Penser Joch

Passo di Pennes / Penserjoch

Scenic pass connecting the Sarntal valley with the Wipp valley near Sterzing. Less frequented, offering quiet drives through high alpine meadows and past mountain farms.

Eira Pass

Passo d'Eira

Small pass between Foscagno and Livigno, forming part of the main route to the duty-free town. Open alpine terrain with Rhaetian peak views.

Valparola Pass

Passo di Valparola

Often traversed with neighboring Falzarego. Features the restored WWI Forte Tre Sassi museum. Views of the Fanes and Conturines peaks.

Little St Bernard Pass

Colle del Piccolo San Bernardo

Ancient pass connecting the Aosta Valley with France's Tarentaise. Features a Roman column, Celtic stone circle, and botanical garden at the summit.

Colle delle Finestre

Famous for its dramatic unpaved final 8km to the summit, memorably featured in the Giro d'Italia. The descent to Usseaux is fully paved.

Gardena Pass

Passo Gardena / Grödnerjoch

Part of the Sellaronda circuit connecting Val Gardena with the Badia valley. Between the Sella group and the Cir peaks. Popular for skiing and cycling.

Splügen Pass

Splügenpass / Passo dello Spluga

Dramatic border crossing with tight hairpin bends carved into rock on the Italian side. One of the most spectacular approach roads in the Alps with centuries of trading history.

Falzarego Pass

Passo di Falzarego

Major Dolomite pass connecting Cortina d'Ampezzo with the Badia valley. Features dramatic WWI fortifications (Forte Tre Sassi) and cable car to Lagazuoi with its WWI tunnel system.

Jaufen Pass

Passo di Monte Giovo / Jaufenpass

Popular motorcycle and cycling pass connecting the Passeier valley with the Wipp valley near Sterzing. Features 18 hairpin bends and panoramic Stubai Alps views.

Monte Giovo / Jaufen (Penser approach)

Passo di Monte Giovo

This is the same as Jaufen Pass listed separately. The Passer valley approach from Merano through San Leonardo features stunning south-facing views.

Mont Cenis Pass

Colle del Moncenisio

Historic Italy-France pass used by Napoleon's armies. Features a large reservoir lake at the summit. One of the oldest documented Alpine crossings.

Fedaia Pass

Passo Fedaia

At the foot of the Marmolada (3,343m), the highest Dolomite peak. Features a reservoir lake and access to the glacier ski area. Demanding Giro d'Italia climb.

Staller Sattel

Stallersattel / Passo Stalle

Border crossing between the Defereggental in East Tyrol and the Antholzertal in South Tyrol (Italy). Features alternating one-way traffic regulation and the beautiful Obersee lake at the summit.

Manghen Pass

Passo della Manghen

Remote pass in the Lagorai range connecting Val di Fiemme with Valsugana. One of the toughest cycling climbs in the region. Wild scenery with no development at the summit.

Sestriere

Colle del Sestriere

Major ski resort in the Cottian Alps. Hosted 2006 Turin Winter Olympics events. Frequently features in the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.

Valles Pass

Passo di Valles

Connects Val di Fiemme with the Biois valley near Falcade. Near the Pale di San Martino with Marmolada views. Quieter than San Pellegrino Pass.

Simplon Pass (Italian side)

Passo del Sempione

Italian descent of the Simplon from the Swiss summit to Domodossola. Napoleon ordered this road built in 1800. Passes through the scenic Divedro gorge.

Würzjoch

Passo delle Erbe / Würzjoch

Scenic pass connecting Val di Funes with Val Badia. Outstanding views of the Odle/Geisler group. Less trafficked than other Dolomite passes.

San Marco Pass

Passo di San Marco

Historic pass connecting Val Brembana with the Valtellina, once a Venetian trade route. Wild mountain landscape with relatively little traffic.

Col de Larche / Maddalena Pass

Colle della Maddalena

Italy-France border pass in the Maritime Alps connecting the Stura di Demonte with the Ubaye valley. One of the more accessible western Alpine border crossings.

Rolle Pass

Passo di Rolle

Scenic pass at the foot of the Pale di San Martino. The iconic view of Cimon della Pala reflected in alpine lakes. Popular ski area and Giro d'Italia climb.

Colle San Carlo

Small pass above La Thuile in the Aosta Valley near the Little St Bernard. Stunning viewpoints of Mont Blanc and surrounding glaciers. Narrow but paved.

San Pellegrino Pass

Passo di San Pellegrino

Connects Val di Fassa with the Biois valley. Beautiful meadows with views of Marmolada and Civetta. Ski area at the summit and regular Giro d'Italia stage.

Croce Domini Pass

Passo di Croce Domini

Remote, challenging pass in the Brescia Prealps connecting Val Trompia with Val Camonica. Narrow winding road with dramatic drops, far from tourist crowds.

Tonale Pass

Passo del Tonale

Wide saddle connecting Val di Sole with Val Camonica. Popular ski resort in winter with WWI memorials and an ossuary nearby.

Campolongo Pass

Passo Campolongo

The lowest and easiest Sellaronda pass, connecting Corvara with Arabba. Beautiful views of the Sella massif and Marmolada glacier.

Col de Tende

Col de Tende / Colle di Tenda

Historic Franco-Italian border pass in the Roya valley. Features one of the oldest road tunnels in the Alps (1882). The old road above has spectacular hairpins.

Montgenèvre Pass

Colle del Monginevro

One of the oldest and lowest main Alpine chain crossings between Italy and France. Ski resort at the summit. Important since Roman times on the Via Domitia.

Mortirolo Pass

Passo del Mortirolo

One of the hardest cycling climbs in Europe with ramps reaching 18%. Made legendary by Marco Pantani's Giro d'Italia attacks. A monument to Pantani stands on the climb.

Vivione Pass

Passo del Vivione

Scenic pass connecting Val di Scalve with upper Val Camonica. Quiet alpine meadows and occasional Giro d'Italia appearances.

Maloja Pass (from Chiavenna)

Passo del Maloggia

Italian approach rising dramatically from Chiavenna with views of the Bregaglia mountains. The Swiss side sits level on the Engadin plateau.

Tre Croci Pass

Passo Tre Croci

Pass east of Cortina connecting with the Misurina/Auronzo area. Gateway to the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Views of Cristallo and Sorapis groups.

Lavazè Pass

Passo di Lavazè / Lavazèjoch

Pass between the Fiemme and Ega valleys, popular for cross-country skiing and mountain biking. Less trafficked than the nearby Karer Pass. Beautiful larch forests.

Monte Grappa

A major WWI memorial mountain with multiple paved approach roads. The ossuary at the summit commemorates 23,000 fallen soldiers. Popular cycling destination with approaches from Bassano, Romano d'Ezzelino, and Semonzo.

Forcella Staulanza

Dramatic pass between the Pelmo and Civetta massifs. The view of Monte Pelmo from the summit is a classic Dolomite panorama.

Furcia Pass

Passo Furcia / Furkelpass

Small pass connecting San Vigilio di Marebbe with the Kronplatz area. Gateway to the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park.

Karer Pass

Passo di Costalunga / Karerpass

Near the famous Lago di Carezza (Karersee), a turquoise lake framed by the Latemar and Catinaccio/Rosengarten groups. Connects Val d'Ega with Val di Fassa.

Monte Zoncolan

One of the steepest road climbs in professional cycling with sustained 22% gradients on the Ovaro side. A feared Giro d'Italia summit finish. Ski station at the top.

Passo Campo Carlo Magno

A pass near Madonna di Campiglio connecting the Val Rendena with the Val di Sole. Named after Charlemagne (Carlo Magno) who reportedly crossed here. Gateway to the Brenta Dolomites.

Maniva Pass

Passo del Maniva

Pass in the Brescia Prealps connecting Val Trompia with Val Sabbia. Often combined with Croce Domini for a loop. Features old WWI military roads.

Tremalzo Pass

Passo del Tremalzo

A narrow mountain road above Lake Garda connecting the Ledro valley with the western shore. Parts of the old military road are unpaved, but the main route via Passo Nota is paved. Spectacular lake views.

Col de Joux

Colle di Joux

Connects the main Aosta Valley at Saint-Vincent with the Val d'Ayas. Views of Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn. Gateway to Ayas valley ski resorts.

Monte Croce Comelico Pass

Passo di Monte Croce di Comelico / Kreuzbergpass

Connects the Comelico valley in Veneto with the Puster valley in South Tyrol. Attractive Dolomite scenery and an important regional connection.

Brocon Pass

Passo di Brocon

Pass in the Lagorai range connecting the Primiero valley with the Tesino area and Valsugana. Quiet alpine meadows with a small ski area at the summit.

Passo del Termine

A minor pass connecting the Vallarsa with the Terragnolo valley near Rovereto. Quiet road in the Trentino Prealps.

Duran Pass

Passo Duran

Scenic pass in the southern Dolomites beneath the dramatic Civetta and Moiazza walls. Less frequented, offering solitude and dramatic cliff scenery.

Tramin Saddle

Giogo di Tramin / Traminer Joch

A minor pass above the wine village of Tramin/Termeno connecting with the Adige valley. Known mainly for its proximity to the famous Gewürztraminer wine region.

Forcella Lavardet

A scenic pass connecting the Cadore with the Carnia, passing through forests near the Dolomiti Friulane. Less known but attractive scenery.

Monte Bondone

A summit road above Trento reaching the Monte Bondone ski area. Not a true pass but a popular paved mountain road. Offers panoramic views over the Adige valley and was used as a Giro d'Italia summit finish.

Nassfeld Pass

Nassfeldpass / Passo di Pramollo

A border crossing between Carinthia and Friuli (Italy) in the Carnic Alps. Home to one of Carinthia's largest ski areas with beautiful views of the surrounding limestone peaks.

Cimabanche Pass

Passo di Cimabanche / Gemärk

Gentle pass connecting Cortina d'Ampezzo with the Puster valley at Dobbiaco. Part of the historic Venice-Innsbruck route. The old railway line is now a popular cycling path.

Gampen Pass

Passo delle Palade / Gampenpass

Connects the Adige valley at Lana with the Non valley. Alternative to the Mendel Pass for reaching the Non valley from South Tyrol.

Resia Pass

Passo di Resia / Reschenpass

Famous for the iconic submerged church tower rising from Lago di Resia. The lake was created in 1950 when the valley was dammed. Connects Val Venosta with Austria.

Passo del Tonion

A pass in the southern Prealps connecting the Valsugana area with the Feltrino. Quiet and scenic road through forests with limited traffic.

Passo di Campogrosso

A pass in the Piccole Dolomiti (Little Dolomites) above Recoaro Terme. Scenic road with views of dramatic limestone pinnacles reminiscent of the main Dolomites but at lower altitude.

Brenner Pass

Brennerpass / Passo del Brennero

The lowest crossing of the main Alpine ridge and one of the most important transalpine routes since Roman times. Connects Innsbruck with Bolzano/Bozen in Italy via a major freight and passenger corridor.

Cereda Pass

Passo di Cereda

Connects the Primiero valley with the Agordino in the southern Dolomites. Quiet forests with views of the Pale di San Martino.

Mendel Pass

Passo della Mendola / Mendelpass

Connects the Adige valley near Bolzano with the Non valley in Trentino. Stunning Dolomite views from the eastern rim. A historic funicular once ran from Caldaro.

Monte Croce Carnico Pass

Passo di Monte Croce Carnico / Plöckenpass

Italy-Austria border in the Carnic Alps. WWI fortifications and memorials. Italian side climbs from Timau through a dramatic narrow valley with rock tunnels.

Forcella Aurine

Minor pass in the Belluno Dolomites connecting Agordo with the Gosaldo area. Quiet forest road useful as a connecting route for Dolomite tours.

Mauria Pass

Passo della Mauria

Gentle pass through forests connecting the Cadore with the Carnia region. Marks the watershed between the Piave and Tagliamento rivers.

Presolana Pass

Passo della Presolana

Pass beneath the striking Presolana wall in the Bergamasque Prealps. Connects the Seriana and Scalve valleys. Popular with cyclists and motorcyclists.

Borcola Pass

Passo della Borcola

A minor pass connecting the Vallarsa in Trentino with the Pasubio area and Vicenza province. WWI historical significance as the Pasubio was a major battleground.

Sella Nevea

Road pass in the Julian Alps beneath Monte Canin. Leads to a small ski area and continues into Slovenia. Dramatic karst limestone scenery.

Aprica Pass

Passo dell'Aprica

Relatively low pass connecting the Valtellina with Val Camonica. The town of Aprica at the summit is a modest ski resort. Frequently a Giro d'Italia transit stage.

Pian delle Fugazze

Passo del Pian delle Fugazze

Pass between Rovereto and Schio at the foot of the Pasubio massif. The Ossario del Pasubio WWI memorial stands nearby. Starting point for the dramatic Strada delle 52 Gallerie (hiking only).

Predil Pass

Prelaz Predel

A historic border crossing between Slovenia and Italy in the Julian Alps. Connects the Soča valley with the Italian Valcanale. Important military route with WWI fortifications nearby and views of the Mangart massif.

Crosetta Pass

Passo della Crosetta

Minor pass in the Belluno Prealps connecting the Belluno area with the Alpago region. Gentle gradients through forested terrain.

San Lugano Pass

Passo di San Lugano

Low pass connecting the Fiemme valley with the Adige valley near Ora. Gentle saddle at the linguistic boundary between German and Italian-speaking areas.

Passo di Castrin

A minor pass connecting the Val di Non with the Adige valley at Mezzocorona. Quiet alternative to the main valley road.

Passo di Xomo

A minor pass in the Vicenza Prealps connecting the Astico valley with the Posina valley. Quiet road through forests, useful for connecting different valleys.

Passo del Durone

A low pass above Lake Garda connecting Riva del Garda with the Ledro valley. Often paired with a visit to the beautiful Lake Ledro. Gentle gradients.

Monte Rest Pass

Passo di Monte Rest

A minor pass in the Carnic Prealps connecting the Val Tramontina with the Val d'Arzino in Friuli. Narrow winding road through forests.

Croce d'Aune Pass

Passo di Croce d'Aune

A historic cycling pass where the first Giro d'Italia stage was won in 1909. Connects the Valsugana with Feltre. Modest elevation but significant cycling heritage.

San Boldo Pass

Passo di San Boldo

Remarkable engineering with five tunnels carved through rock, connected by hairpins on a cliff. Built by the Austro-Hungarian army in WWI in 100 days. One-way tunnel traffic.