A memorable road trip to Reschen Pass in the Alps
Austria, europe
22.4 km
1,522 m
moderate
Year-round
# Reschenpass-Passo di Resia
Want to skip the Brenner Pass crowds? The Reschenpass-Passo di Resia might just be your answer. Sitting at 1,522m (4,993ft) in Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region near the Austrian border, this mountain crossing is one of the Alps' lowest and most underrated routes.
Nestled between the busier Brenner Pass to the east and the Splügenpass to the west, this pass has serious history. The original road was carved out between 1850 and 1854, making it a relatively old crossing by Alpine standards. During WWII, things got intense here—Mussolini's forces built defensive barrages (including the Passo di Resia and Plamort installations) to guard against a potential Nazi invasion from Austria.
Today, the 22.4km (13.91 miles) route runs along the completely paved Strada Statale 40, stretching south-north from Malles Venosta right to the Austrian border. Fair warning: there are some genuinely steep sections with gradients hitting 8%, so don't expect a lazy cruise. But if you're after a less-traveled Alpine crossing with better grip and fewer tour buses, this one's a gem worth exploring.
Where is it?
A memorable road trip to Reschen Pass in the Alps is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.6772, 13.4388
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 22.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,522 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 47.6772, 13.4388
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