A paved curvy road to the summit of Cimabanche Pass in the Dolomites
Italy, europe
30.8 km
1,533 m
moderate
Year-round
# Passo di Cimabanche: A Dolomite Adventure
Perched at 1,530 meters (5,029 feet) in northeastern Italy, Passo di Cimabanche—also called Gemärkpass—sits right on the border between Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige. This 30.8 km scenic route connects the legendary ski town of Cortina d'Ampezzo in the south to the charming village of Toblach-Dobbiaco in the north, winding through some seriously stunning Alpine terrain.
The drive itself, via the Strada Statale 51 di Alemagna (SS51), is mostly smooth and rewarding, though you'll encounter a few rough patches where the asphalt has seen better days. Don't let that deter you though—the sweeping bends make for a genuinely enjoyable cruise. Just after the summit, keep an eye out for the right-hand turn toward Passo Tre Croci if you're up for more mountain magic.
The real highlight? The views near the top are absolutely breathtaking. You'll catch glimpses of the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, those jagged limestone spires that define the Dolomites. A few hundred meters south of the pass sits a cluster of three small lakes—Lake Bianco (now dried up), Lake Nero, and Lake Rufiedo—adding another picturesque layer to the landscape.
History buffs will appreciate the quirky detail: tucked into the mountainside near the summit is Strong Point No. 4, a massive bunker built into the rocks as part of Mussolini's Alpine Wall defense line. It's equipped with three machine guns and serves as a fascinating reminder of WWII-era mountain fortifications.
Where is it?
A paved curvy road to the summit of Cimabanche Pass in the Dolomites is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.6513, 12.5141
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,533 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.6513, 12.5141
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