What are the highest roads in Italy?
Italy, europe
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
# Italy's Most Epic Mountain Drives
Italy's got this incredible boot-shaped peninsula that juts right into the Mediterranean, and honestly? The real magic happens in the mountains. You've got the Alps dominating the north with their jaw-dropping Dolomites, and then the Apennines running down the entire spine of the country like nature's own backbone.
All that dramatic terrain means the Italians had to get creative—and boy, did they ever. They carved out these insanely scenic mountain roads, called Passi, that snake their way across some of the most breathtaking Alpine landscapes you'll ever see. We're talking white-knuckle switchbacks, panoramic vistas that'll make your phone storage weep, and roads that feel like they were designed for pure driving joy.
Want to explore some of the world's most stunning routes? Head to our interactive map and start planning your adventure. Whether you're chasing mountain passes or hunting for that perfect hairpin turn, there's something here to make your heart race.
Found an incredible road that needs to be on everyone's bucket list? We'd love to hear about it! Share your hidden gem with us—your discovery could be the next legendary route featured on our platform.
Where is it?
What are the highest roads in Italy? is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.7664, 12.2848
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.7664, 12.2848
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Cibiana Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Cibiana Pass! Nestled high in the Dolomites at a seriously breathtaking altitude, this Italian gem is also called "Passo Cibiana" by the locals. You'll find it in northern Italy. Up top, an old WWI road, now a gravel track, branches off to a mountain refuge where you can find some relics from back in the day. The main road, SP347, isn't for the faint of heart. It's paved but super twisty and not suitable for longer vehicles. Landslides? Yeah, they can happen. Clocking in at just under 13 miles (20.7 km), the pass links Forcella Cibiana with Ponte Cadore in a south-north dash. Keep your eyes peeled because this road has been so stunning, it has starred in a movie! Heads up: winter closes things down. Snow's a no-go. And those slopes? Get ready for some serious climbing! Some sections hit gradients of 15%. You're looking at a 724-meter ascent from Forcella Cibiana and an average gradient of 7%.
moderateWhere is Route de l'Authion?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits on the Route de l'Authion! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a seriously high mountain road snaking through the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. This road is famous for connecting a string of old forts from way back when, offering a real glimpse into the military history of the area, particularly battles related to the Maginot Line. Heads up, though, it's a no-go zone from November 30th to April 30th. Being nestled in the Mercantour National Park means winter brings heavy snow. When it's open, you're looking at a 32km (19.8 miles) stretch climbing to a whopping 2,080m (6,824ft), with a small pass at 1,889m (6,198ft). The pavement is complete, but be prepared for narrow sections and steep drop-offs. Not the best choice for caravans or nervous drivers! But OH. MY. GOODNESS. Is it ever worth it. Also known as the "Route des Crêtes," this drive is a visual feast. You'll stumble upon old forts along the way, but the real showstopper is the jaw-dropping views. Think panoramic vistas of the eastern Alps foothills and the towering peaks of the Mercantour National Park. Seriously, the views alone are worth the detour! Col de la Met is one of the highest roads in Europe - worth checking out!
hardHow to get to Palinkopf in the Samnaun Alps
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Palinkopf: Alpine Adventure on Four Wheels Ready for a seriously epic drive? Palinkopf sits pretty at 2,863m (9,393ft) on the Swiss-Austrian border, straddling Tyrol and Grisons. It's legitimately one of the highest roads you can drive in the country. Here's the deal: this isn't your typical paved highway. It's a raw, unpaved service road that keeps the chairlifts running at the Samnaun-Ischgl ski area. You'll absolutely need 4x4 credentials for this one—we're talking gnarly 20% gradients that'll test your nerves and your vehicle's limits. Starting from Ischgl on the Austrian side, you're looking at 12km (7.4 miles) of pure elevation gain: 1,505m of climbing at an average 12.5% gradient. Yeah, it's steep. But the payoff? You're threading through the stunning Samnaun Alps with views that'll make your Instagram followers jealous. The catch? This is a summer-only adventure. The window for driving this beauty is narrow and weather-dependent, so timing is everything. But if you nail it, you'll experience one of the Alps' most thrilling high-altitude drives.
hardDriving the 5 stars road to Arlberg Pass in Austria
🇦🇹 Austria
# Arlberg Pass: Austria's Alpine Classic Want to experience one of Austria's most iconic mountain passes? Head to Arlberg Pass, perched at 1,804 meters (5,918 feet) right where Vorarlberg and Tyrol meet in the western part of the country. This scenic route has serious history—the original road was built way back in 1787 (it was called the "Josephinische Straße" back then), got paved in 1824, and now you can zip under the whole thing via the Arlberg Road Tunnel if you're in a rush. But trust us, you won't want to skip the actual pass. The 13.2-kilometer (8.2-mile) stretch from Stuben am Arlberg to St. Anton am Arlberg is an absolute blast to drive. Federal Highway B 197 is completely paved and in excellent condition—wide enough to feel safe, with some thrilling hairpin turns especially on the western approach. Fair warning though: some sections hit a steep 13% gradient, so take it at your own pace. The western side is where things get really fun with those signature switchbacks. What makes this pass special is that it's nestled in the northern Rhaetian Alps and stays open pretty much year-round. Plus, you get a handy café-bar and spacious parking lot right at the summit if you need a breather and want to soak in the views. Whether you're a road trip enthusiast or just love a good mountain drive, Arlberg Pass delivers the goods.