An iconic road to Staulanza Pass in the Dolomites

An iconic road to Staulanza Pass in the Dolomites

Italy, europe

Length

21.6 km

Elevation

1,773 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Passo Staulanza: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure

Ready for some serious mountain driving? Passo Staulanza sits pretty at 1,773 meters (5,817 feet) in the Belluno province of Italy's Veneto region, and it's absolutely worth the detour. This charming pass—also called Forcella Staulanza—connects the scenic Zoldo Valley to the south with the Cadore Valley up north, nestled in a cozy little valley between the impressive Mount Coldai (2,395m) and the towering Pelmo (3,168m).

The 21.6-kilometer (13.42-mile) route runs south to north from Dont to Selva di Cadore, and let me tell you—it's not your average Sunday drive. This fully paved stretch of Strada Provinciale 251 (SP251) winds through the heart of the Dolomites with switchback after switchback and plenty of dramatic elevation changes that'll keep your hands firmly on the wheel. The road has even earned its stripes as a Giro d'Italia mountain stage, so you know it's legit.

When you finally reach the summit, you'll find a small village with a handful of houses and a cozy restaurant complete with a parking area—the perfect spot to catch your breath and soak in the stunning alpine scenery before tackling the descent.

Where is it?

An iconic road to Staulanza Pass in the Dolomites is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.8417, 11.6231

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
21.6 km
Max Elevation
1,773 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
42.8417, 11.6231

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