
Falzarego Pass is a road with 38 sharp hairpin bends
Italy, europe
37.9 km
2,105 m
hard
Year-round
Passo di Falzarego is a stunning high mountain pass sitting at 2,105m (6,906ft) in the Belluno province of Italy's Veneto region. Trust us, the views are absolutely worth the climb.
This legendary pass has serious historical chops—it was a crucial battleground during World War II's Dolomite war between the Austrians and Italians, and you'll still find moving war memorials scattered throughout the area. The name itself, "false king" in the local Ladin language, adds to its mystique. The road section was inaugurated on September 13th, 1909, making it the final piece of the Great Dolomite Road to open. Over a century later, it's still celebrated as an engineering marvel.
Running 37.9 km (23.54 miles) east-west from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Arabba, this fully paved route (Strada Regionale 48) is a rider's dream and a driver's challenge. You're looking at 38 hairpin bends, a handful of tunnels, and a gnarly 12.6% maximum gradient that'll get your heart pumping. But here's the payoff: those 360-degree Dolomite vistas are absolutely breathtaking, and the road itself is a technical masterpiece of curves, sweepers, and straightaways.
The pass is so legendary that it's a key stage of the Giro d'Italia—Italy's prestigious cycling tour. From the summit, you can continue north on SP24 toward Val Badia, passing below Sas de Stria and through Valparola Pass for even more alpine adventure.
Where is it?
Falzarego Pass is a road with 38 sharp hairpin bends is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.2228, 12.5196
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 37.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,105 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.2228, 12.5196
Related Roads in europe
extremeA curvy scenic road to Col de la Couillole
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Couillole Nestled in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southeastern France, Col de la Couillole sits at a whopping 1,678m elevation and serves as part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes. This fully paved route (D30, which becomes M30 after the pass) stretches 23.4km from Beuil to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée and winds through the stunning Mercantour National Park. Fair warning: this road is seriously steep and curvy. You'll encounter hairpin turns, narrow sections, and charming tunnels that make for an exhilarating—but gorgeous—drive. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking at every turn. Cyclists know this pass well; the Tour de France has tackled it multiple times. Starting from Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée at just 504m elevation, riders face 15.7km of climbing with 1,174 meters of elevation gain. The average gradient of 7.5% sounds reasonable until you realize there's barely a flat section below 6%, with several stretches hitting 8% and peaks reaching 11%. It's relentless in the best way possible. While you're in the area, don't miss the picturesque village of Roubion, perched near the road. It's truly a hidden gem—literally at the end of the road—with local hotels and stunning views. Fair note: if you're coming from the Beuil side, you won't see signs for it, so keep your eyes peeled.
hardThe breathtaking road to Šiljak
🌍 Serbia
Okay, so you're looking for a real off-road adventure? Let me tell you about Šiljak, a killer peak in eastern Serbia's Zaječar District. We're talking 1,534 meters (that's over 5,000 feet!) of pure, unadulterated mountain goodness. The road up? Well, "road" is a generous term. Think gravel, rocks, bumps galore – a real bone-shaker! Seriously, this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking 4x4 territory. And heads up: it's usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. The views from the top are totally worth the effort, though. And there's this super-isolated chapel up there that just adds to the whole "end of the world" vibe. It's steep, so keep your wits about you. And if you're not comfortable with heights, maybe sit this one out. Oh, and those summer thunderstorms? They can turn that already-rough track into a total mud bath in minutes. Basically, Šiljak is epic – but only if you're prepared!
extremePas de l'Âne: Driving the brutal 17.4% ski track in the Massif des Cerces
🇫🇷 France
# Pas de l'Âne: Not Your Average Mountain Drive Tucked away in the Hautes-Alpes of southeastern France, Pas de l'Âne is a wild high-altitude adventure sitting at 2,475m (8,120ft) in the dramatic Massif des Cerces. This isn't your typical scenic mountain pass—it's a legitimately gnarly chairlift maintenance track carved into the limestone cliffs above Le Monêtier-les-Bains, serving the ski infrastructure of Serre Chevalier valley. Perched at coordinates 44.94263, 6.49144, this beast of a route dominates the landscape with jaw-dropping views of Ecrins National Park. But honestly? You won't have much time to soak in the scenery—you'll be too focused on the narrow single track hugging those steep ridges. Fair warning: there's not a shred of pavement up here. The whole thing is loose gravel and dirt, designed for heavy maintenance vehicles, not your average road tripper. We're talking no safety barriers, sketchy hairpins, and drops that'll make your palms sweat. You'll absolutely need a serious high-clearance 4x4 with low-range gearing to even attempt this. Just 5.5 km (3.4 miles) from start to finish, but don't let that fool you—you're climbing nearly 1,000 meters of elevation, which means a relentless 17.4% average gradient. That's some of the steepest stuff in the French Alps. There are virtually zero flat sections, so your brakes and transmission are getting a serious workout the entire way. Timing matters here. The road is completely buried under meters of snow most of the year, only opening up from late June through September for 4x4s brave enough to try. Even in summer, a sudden alpine storm can turn that dirt track into a mudslide in minutes. Always check the weather before attempting this one.
moderateCroce di Poverzone
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're smack-dab in the middle of Valtellina, Italy, ready to tackle the legendary Croce di Poverzone. This ain't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a climb to 1,908 meters (6,256 feet!) above sea level. The last 7 kilometers are where the real adventure begins – gravel and dirt roads that'll test your mettle (and your suspension). The climb averages a solid 10% grade, but be warned: some spots crank up to a leg-burning 18%! Word has it that the Giro d'Italia once chewed up this road to Triangia, so you know it's legit. Heads up, though – Mother Nature calls the shots here. Usually, this route is a no-go from October through June, so plan accordingly. If you time it right, you'll be rewarded with views galore!