A 5-star road to Forcola di Livigno Pass in the Alps

A 5-star road to Forcola di Livigno Pass in the Alps

Italy, europe

Length

18.1 km

Elevation

2,315 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Livigno Pass-Forcola di Livigno Pass

Tucked away in the stunning western Rhaetian Alps, the Livigno Pass sits at a bracing 2,315m (7,595ft) and marks the border between Switzerland and Italy. This gem connects Graubünden in Switzerland with Sondrio in Lombardy, making it the perfect cross-border adventure.

The 18.1 km (11.24 miles) route runs north-south from Livigno to La Motta along Road 29 (the Bernina Pass Road), and thankfully it's fully paved throughout. The Italian side keeps things relatively straightforward with long, flowing straights and minimal hairpins—perfect for building momentum. The Swiss side, however, tells a different story: expect more twists and turns that'll keep you engaged throughout the drive.

Fair warning: this pass gets serious about winter. You can count on it being closed from November through June, so plan your visit for the warmer months if you want to actually cross it. When conditions are good, watch out for those steep sections that climb at gradients up to 13%—nothing outrageous, but enough to demand respect and proper driving technique.

If you love alpine scenery, dramatic elevation changes, and a good mix of driving styles all in one route, this pass delivers exactly that.

Where is it?

A 5-star road to Forcola di Livigno Pass in the Alps is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.5322, 11.8243

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
18.1 km
Max Elevation
2,315 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
42.5322, 11.8243

Related Roads in europe

Pista de las Cutas: A Scenic Gravel Road in Ordesaextreme

Pista de las Cutas: A Scenic Gravel Road in Ordesa

🇪🇸 Spain

# Pista de las Cutas: Spain's Ultimate Mountain Adventure If you're craving one of Spain's most breathtaking drives, the Pista de las Cutas in northwest Sobrarbe, Huesca, should be on your bucket list. This spectacular route—also known as the Pista Ordesa-Sierra de Cutas or Ruta de los Miradores de Ordesa—runs through the heart of the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Aragón, right on the Spanish-French border with jaw-dropping views of the Ordesa and Monte Perdido peaks. Here's the thing though: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. This 31.3 km (19.44 miles) unpaved track is only open to bikes, motorbikes, and hardcore 4x4 vehicles with serious clearance. Private cars? Nope, they're banned. What awaits you is wild, rugged terrain that climbs through the Pyrenees like a roller coaster on steroids. Expect hundreds of turns—seriously, *hundreds*—including gut-wrenching hairpins, steep climbs, and narrow sections where one wrong move sends you plummeting off the edge. The exposed ridgeline means dizzy drop-offs on both sides, and you'll likely find yourself getting out to scout the road ahead more than once. The route summits at 2,242 meters (7,355 feet) and typically closes from November through June when snow and ice make it impassable. This is genuinely challenging driving that demands serious off-road skills, nerves of steel, and constant, white-knuckle attention. But man, the views? Absolutely worth it.

Where is Col du Pillon?moderate

Where is Col du Pillon?

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Okay, picture this: the Col du Pillon, a seriously stunning mountain pass that sits at a cool 1,546 meters above sea level, right on the border between the cantons of Bern and Vaud in western Switzerland. You'll find a massive parking lot at the top, perfect for soaking in the views! The road itself? Totally paved, so no need for a monster truck. It stretches for about 31.8 kilometers, connecting the Obersimmental-Saanen district in Bern with Aigle district in Vaud. Heads up, though – this beauty is usually closed during winter. But if you're lucky enough to catch it open, you can drive to the top and then hike a winding trail up to the Cabane des Diablerets SAC hut near the summit of the Diablerets massif! Get ready for some unforgettable scenery.

Paion Refugehard

Paion Refuge

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just found a killer off-road experience in the Italian Dolomites that you HAVE to add to your bucket list. We're talking about Rifugio Paion, a mountain hut perched way up high in Trentino's Val di Fiemme at over 7,200 feet! Getting there is not for the faint of heart, though. Picture this: a super steep, gravel track winding its way through the Alpe Cermis ski resort. You'll need a 4x4 for this one, trust me. Oh, and plan your trip carefully – this road is usually snowed in from October to June. But the reward is SO worth it! Once you conquer that climb, the views from the Rifugio Paion are absolutely mind-blowing. Seriously, a full 360 degrees of pure alpine glory! You can see iconic peaks like Marmolada, Pale di San Martino, Brenta, Cevedale, and even the Ortles group. Just imagine that panoramic shot for your Insta! Keep in mind, this is primarily a service road for the chairlift, so expect rugged conditions. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!

Where is Col du Bouchet?hard

Where is Col du Bouchet?

🇫🇷 France

Alright, adventurers, buckle up for Col du Bouchet, a seriously high-altitude peak nestled in the Savoie department of France. We're talking almost 10,000 feet above sea level, making it one of Europe's highest roads! You'll find this beast in the Rhône-Alpes region, specifically in the Val Thorens Ski Resort. Now, heads up, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road to the summit is all dirt and gravel, a chairlift access road, and it gets crazy steep in spots. Picture this: you're following ski-lift service roads, winding your way up to the cable car station, which sits at a mind-blowing altitude. Expect narrow passages and some serious inclines (like, up to 22%!). The climb is just over 3 miles long, but you'll gain a whopping 2,300+ feet of elevation, with an average gradient of 13.8%. And pro tip: Don't even think about attempting this between October and June. This high up in the Massif de la Vanoise range, the road's buried under snow. But when it's open, the views? Absolutely epic.