Brenner Pass is the lowest Alpine pass
Austria, europe
49.1 km
1,370 m
moderate
Year-round
# Brenner Pass
Want to tackle one of Europe's most historic mountain crossings? The Brenner Pass sits pretty at 1,370m (4,495ft) on the Italian-Austrian border, connecting South Tyrol's Bolzano province with Austria's Innsbruck district. This isn't just any mountain road—it's been a major gateway between northern Europe and Italy since ancient times.
The journey spans 49.1km (30.5 miles) from Sterzing in Italy to Innsbruck, Austria, along the fully paved E45 route (marked as A22 in Italy and A13 in Austria). Built back in the 1830s-40s as a four-lane motorway, this is one of Europe's crucial north-south arteries, so expect plenty of company on the road. Some sections get pretty steep, with gradients reaching up to 10.7%, so keep your wits about you through those hairpin sections.
The good news? Being the lowest Alpine pass in the region means you can typically drive it year-round. It's situated in the spectacular Eastern Alpine range, offering paved roads all the way to the top. Just remember: this is a major thoroughfare, so traffic can be heavy—but that's the price you pay for accessing one of history's most important mountain passages. Ready to cross into Austria?
Where is it?
Brenner Pass is the lowest Alpine pass is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.2851, 13.5983
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 49.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,370 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 47.2851, 13.5983
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is the Plöckenpass-Passo di Monte Croce Carnico?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: the Plöckenpass-Passo di Monte Croce Carnico, straddling the border between Austria and Italy high in the Carnic Alps at a cool 1,370m (4,494ft). This isn't just a road; it's a history lesson on wheels, connecting Udine in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region with Spittal an der Drau in Austria's Carinthia. Think medieval trade routes meeting modern asphalt. This fully paved beauty stretches for about 60km (37 miles) from Tolmezzo in Italy up to Oberdrauburg in Austria. Don’t let the pavement fool you; it’s a wild ride. We're talking twelve hairpin bends, four tunnels, and some seriously steep sections hitting a 13% gradient! Trust me, the Italian descent is a blast. Just keep an eye out for rock slides and those narrow bits. Good news: it's usually open year-round! Budget around 1 to 1.5 hours to drive it straight through, but why would you? Scattered along the route, you’ll find remnants of WWI bunkers and tunnels – seriously cool. The summit even has an open-air museum with restored trenches. Oh, and fun fact: back in the day, it was called Kreuzberg (Monte Crucis), which is where the Italian name comes from. Definitely worth the trip!
moderateWhere is Desfiladero de Aliaga?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the province of Teruel, Spain, and suddenly you're swallowed by the Desfiladero de Aliaga, one of Spain's most breathtaking canyon roads. This gorge, carved by the river, twists and turns for about 12 kilometers (7.45 miles) between Hinojosa de Jarque and Aldehuela, near the Embalse de Aliaga reservoir. You'll find yourself in the Comarca Cuencas Mineras, a region packed with history and stunning scenery. The road is paved, but be warned: it gets narrow in places, and can be a real challenge for larger vehicles! There are also a couple of dimly lit tunnels to navigate. Keep an eye on the weather, too, as heavy rains can make the road tricky. As you drive, you’re climbing into the Sierra de San Just mountain range. The little neighborhood of La Aldehuela has an interesting past, originally built in the late 1940s for workers at the now-defunct thermal power plant. The views are absolutely incredible. Definitely a drive to remember!
hardWhere is Coll de Pal?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up, adventure lovers, because Coll de Pal is calling! This high-altitude mountain pass, nestled in the Catalan Pyrenees, is a must-do for road trip enthusiasts. You'll find it in the comarca of Berguedà, a gem in northern Catalonia. The road is a challenging climb with seriously steep sections, often featured in the Vuelta a España cycling race. How long? Depending on where you start, you're looking at an epic journey! Coming from Bagà in the south, it's about 18km of paved road. But if you're feeling extra adventurous, the stretch from La Masella is unpaved, about 8km. Get ready for some serious elevation! Starting from Bagà, you'll climb over 1,000 meters with an average gradient of 6%. But don't get too comfy, because you'll hit sections with 11%, 12%, and even a brutal 13% incline! The toughest parts are at the start, with a couple of kilometers averaging over 9%. Keep in mind, this is the Serra de Moixeró mountain range, so the road is usually open, but snowfall is common. The weather can change in a heartbeat, so be prepared for anything! And while you're catching your breath from the curves, get ready to be blown away by the scenery. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience!
hardHow difficult is the road to Yalın Dağ?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Yalın Dağ is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,950m (9,678ft) above sea level, located in the Van province of eastern Turkey. It is one of the highest motorable roads in the country, offering a raw driving experience near the Iranian border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country Set in a remote and desolate landscape, the road to the summit is entirely unpaved. Due to the loose surface and the altitude, a 4x4 vehicle is mandatory to reach the top. This is a high-alpine environment where the weather rules the road; the track is usually buried under snow and remains impassable from late October until late June or even early July, depending on how fast the snow melts each year. Road facts: Yalın Dağ Van Province, Eastern Anatolia (Turkey) How difficult is the road to Yalın Dağ? Driving to the summit is a challenge because of the steepness of the terrain and the high altitude. The ascent starts at the settlement of , and from there, you face an 11-kilometer (6.83 miles) climb. During this stretch, the road gains 573 meters in elevation. While the average gradient is 5.20% , there are much steeper sections that will test your vehicle's traction and cooling system. It is a slow, bumpy drive through a barren mountain range where you won't find any services or help, so you must be fully prepared before starting the climb. Travelling through the Demirkapı-Ballıköy road The road among the clouds from Çamlıyayla to Delimahmutlu Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.