Where is Pordoi Pass?

Where is Pordoi Pass?

Italy, europe

Length

15.6 km

Elevation

2,242 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: You're carving through the Italian Dolomites on Passo Pordoi, a seriously epic road that tops out at 2,242 meters (7,355 feet). This beauty straddles the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Veneto regions, so you know the views are going to be insane.

The road, also called Strada Statale 48, is totally paved, so no need to worry about off-roading it. This 15.6 km (9.69 mile) stretch runs between Arabba and Canazei, and it's packed with 33 hairpin turns that will keep you on your toes! Be prepared for some steep climbs, hitting a max gradient of almost 10% in places. And keep an eye on the weather — it can get windy up there!

Built way back in 1904 as part of the Dolomites Road, it's one of four passes designed to link Bolzano with Cortina and boost tourism. Driving it straight through takes about 30-40 minutes, but you'll want to factor in time for photos.

Word to the wise: This place is a major hotspot, especially in the summer. If you're hitting it up in July or August, aim to be there before 10 AM to beat the crowds. June and September are ideal.

Oh, and did I mention it's a Giro d’Italia legend? There's even a memorial to Fausto Coppi at the summit. Soak up the history as you drive!

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
15.6 km
Max Elevation
2,242 m
Difficulty
hard

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