
A beautiful paved road to Eira Pass in the Alps
Italy, europe
36.1 km
2,209 m
moderate
Year-round
# Passo d'Eira: A Classic Alpine Climb
Ready for some serious mountain driving? Passo d'Eira is calling your name. Sitting pretty at 2,209 meters (7,247 feet) above sea level in Italy's Sondrio Province, this pass is a stunning stretch of road that deserves a spot on any alpine enthusiast's bucket list.
Tucked away in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Passo d'Eira connects two legendary destinations: the charming town of Bormio and Livigno, a world-class ski resort perched near the Swiss border. The entire 36.1-kilometer (22.43-mile) journey runs east-west through some seriously dramatic terrain, sandwiched between the Foscagno Pass and Livigno itself.
The good news? The whole route is paved, thanks to Strada Statale 301 (SS 301). You'll be cruising on solid asphalt the entire way—though fair warning, traffic can get a bit lively during peak seasons. Don't let that discourage you though; it's nothing you can't handle.
Now, about those gradients: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. The road hits a maximum grade of 8.0% on some sections, so your brakes might earn their keep. But that's all part of the charm when you're threading through the Alps in one of Europe's most spectacular driving playgrounds.
Where is it?
A beautiful paved road to Eira Pass in the Alps is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.9405, 11.9904
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 36.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,209 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 42.9405, 11.9904
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