An Awe-Inspiring Paved Road to Costalunga Pass

An Awe-Inspiring Paved Road to Costalunga Pass

Italy, europe

Length

23 km

Elevation

1,745 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Passo di Costalunga: A Alpine Adventure in South Tyrol

Ready for some serious mountain scenery? Head to Passo di Costalunga (also called Karerpass) in Italy's South Tyrol region, sitting pretty at 1,745m (5,725ft) above sea level. This isn't your typical pointy peak—the summit spreads out like a plateau, which means you get almost a full 360° view of some seriously impressive mountains: the Ortler, the Cevedale massif, and the Adige Valley stretching below.

The 23km (14-mile) route runs west-east from Ponte Nova to Vigo di Fassa, and while it's fully paved and well-maintained, don't let that fool you. This is a legit driving challenge with narrow sections, countless hairpin turns, and steep slopes that hit gradients up to 11%—demanding enough that it's been featured in the Giro d'Italia cycling race.

At the summit, you'll find everything you need to break up the drive: cozy hotels, restaurants serving up authentic Alpine fare, souvenir shops, and even a farmer renting horses if you fancy a different kind of adventure. Whether you're a seasoned mountain driver or just looking for stunning views with a side of adrenaline, Passo di Costalunga delivers both in spades.

Where is it?

An Awe-Inspiring Paved Road to Costalunga Pass is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.2866, 12.8251

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
23 km
Max Elevation
1,745 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
42.2866, 12.8251

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