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The most beautiful mountain passes in the Dolomites

Few Alpine regions are as renowned for their mountain passes as the Dolomites. Especially in South Tyrol, roads wind their way through spectacular rocky landscapes, passing rugged peaks and vast high plateaux. For drivers and motorcyclists, these are among the most beautiful routes in Europe – not only for the breathtaking scenery, but also for the technical challenge posed by the many hairpin bends.

During the summer months in particular, the passes can be very busy, with cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers all sharing these winding roads, where opportunities to overtake are few and far between. That makes consideration for other road users all the more important: keep a safe distance, adjust your speed and take particular care on bends where visibility is limited.

Every pass has its own character: some impress with their altitude, others with the steepness of their hairpin bends or views of distinctive Dolomite peaks. Below, we take a closer look at the best-known passes in the South Tyrolean Dolomites.

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VIVODolomites presents: the mountain passes of the Dolomites

The Gardena Pass

The Gardena Pass

At 2,121 metres, Gardena Pass connects Val Gardena with Alta Badia and is one of the busiest passes in the Dolomites. The pass road winds through a spectacular mountain landscape, with views of the Sella Group, Cir peaks, Sassolungo and the peaks of Val Badia. Particularly popular in summer, it attracts cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers, while combining it with nearby Sella Pass, Pordoi Pass and Campolongo Pass creates one of the best-known mountain-pass circuits in the Alps.
Gardena Pass is open all year round and has no winter closure, although it may be temporarily closed in extreme weather conditions.
The Sella Pass

The Sella Pass

At 2,218 metres, Sella Pass connects Selva di Val Gardena with Canazei in Val di Fassa. The pass lies between the Sella Group to the east and the Sassolungo Group to the west and, together with Gardena Pass, Pordoi Pass and Campolongo Pass, forms part of the famous Sellaronda. The winding road, with its numerous hairpin bends, is one of the most popular destinations for motorcyclists and cyclists in the Dolomites. The Sella Pass has also featured several times as a spectacular mountain stage on the Giro d'Italia.
The pass remains open throughout the year, although the road may be temporarily closed in extreme weather conditions.
The Pordoi Pass

The Pordoi Pass

At 2,239 metres, Pordoi Pass connects Arabba in the province of Belluno with Canazei in Val di Fassa in the province of Trento. The pass runs between the Sella Massif to the north, with its distinctive Sass Pordoi and Piz Boè rock formations, and the Marmolada Group to the south. It is the highest paved pass in the Dolomites. As part of the famous four-pass circuit, together with Sella Pass, Gardena Pass and Campolongo Pass, Pordoi Pass attracts motorcyclists and cyclists from across Europe during the summer months. A cable car from the pass takes visitors up to Sass Pordoi, where breathtaking panoramic views open up across Marmolada, Sassolungo and the Sella Massif.
Pordoi Pass – the highest pass in the Dolomites – has no winter closure and is accessible all year round, apart from temporary closures during extreme snowfall.
The Campolongo Pass

The Campolongo Pass

At 1,875 metres, Campolongo Pass connects Corvara in Val Badia with Arabba in the province of Belluno, linking South Tyrol with Veneto. Set between the Sella Massif to the west and the Fanes Group to the east, it is the lowest of the four passes around the Sella Group. The area around the pass offers an extensive network of well-maintained hiking trails, including climbing routes from Rifugio Vallon to Piz Boè, the highest rocky peak in the Sella Group. In winter, Campolongo Pass forms part of the Dolomiti Superski ski area.
There is no winter closure, although the road may be temporarily closed after heavy snowfall.
The Falzarego Pass

The Falzarego Pass

At 2,105 metres, Falzarego Pass in the province of Belluno connects Val Badia and Arabba with Cortina d'Ampezzo. Built as the final section of the Great Dolomite Road, it passes distinctive peaks such as Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri. From the pass, a cable car takes visitors up to Rifugio Lagazuoi, offering sweeping views across the surrounding Dolomite peaks. The area around the pass was the scene of fierce fighting during the First World War, and remnants such as military positions and tunnels carved into the rock still bear witness to its history today.
When weather conditions allow, Falzarego Pass also remains open in winter.
The Giau Pass

The Giau Pass

At 2,236 metres, Giau Pass connects Colle Santa Lucia and Selva di Cadore with Cortina d'Ampezzo. The views from the top are spectacular, with Marmolada, the Sella Group, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Nuvolau, Cristallo and Tofane among the many striking mountain formations visible from here. With its 29 hairpin bends and ever-changing views, the pass is considered one of the most beautiful in the Dolomites by motorcyclists and cyclists. Popular hiking trails also lead from the pass to Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau. When weather conditions play along, the Giau Pass is also open during the winter months.
When weather conditions allow, Giau Pass remains open throughout the winter.
The Fedaia Pass

The Fedaia Pass

At 2,057 metres, Fedaia Pass connects Canazei in Val di Fassa with Rocca Pietore in Val Pettorina. Right at the foot of Marmolada – the highest mountain in the Dolomites at 3,343 metres and the region’s only glacier-capped peak – the pass offers impressive views of the glacier and the turquoise waters of Lago di Fedaia. A quieter alternative to the busier Pordoi Pass, the road follows the reservoir’s northern shore and serves as a starting point for mountain tours, including routes to the summit of Marmolada. In winter, the descent from the glacier on the “Pista Bellunese” is one of the longest ski runs in the Alps.
When weather conditions allow, the pass road is also open in winter.
The Karer Pass

The Karer Pass

At 1,752 metres, Karer Pass connects Val d'Ega in South Tyrol with Val di Fassa in Trentino. Set between the striking Rosengarten and Latemar mountain groups, the pass offers sweeping panoramic views of both mountain ranges. Just below lies the emerald-green Lago di Carezza, where Latemar is beautifully reflected in the water – one of the most photographed spots in the Dolomites. A dense network of hiking trails awaits around the pass.
Karer Pass is cleared and kept open throughout the winter. After heavy snowfall, the road may be temporarily closed for snow-clearing work.
The Passo delle Erbe

The Passo delle Erbe

The Passo delle Erbe lies at 1,982 metres and connects Val d’Isarco with Val Badia, marking the northern boundary of the Puez-Odle Nature Park. Surrounded by wide alpine meadows and the distinctive Sass de Putia, the pass is a popular starting point for hikes and scenic drives, including among motorcyclists looking for a quieter alternative to the major Dolomites passes. In summer, the Passo delle Erbe can be reached from both sides, via Val di Funes and Val Badia. In winter, however, the road via Val di Funes is closed, leaving the route through Val Badia as the only way to reach the pass, which is then mainly used as a starting point for winter hikes to the mountain huts at the foot of Sass de Putia.
 

Frequently asked questions about mountain passes in the Dolomites

What is the most beautiful pass in the Dolomites?

There is no definitive answer, as every pass has its own appeal. Giau Pass is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful, thanks to its sweeping views of Marmolada, the Sella Group and Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Sella Pass and Pordoi Pass impress with their spectacular setting amid the Sella Group, while Fedaia Pass offers a very different experience, with views of the Marmolada Glacier and the turquoise waters of Lago di Fedaia. The best way to answer the question is to visit several passes for yourself and discover your own favourite.

When is the best time to drive the Dolomites passes?

June to September is considered the best time to travel: all the passes are open, the weather is generally stable and the landscape is in full bloom. To avoid heavy traffic, it is best to set off in the early morning or travel in early summer or autumn, when there are far fewer coaches and day-trippers on the roads. Autumn also has its own special appeal, with crystal-clear views and golden larch forests.

Can you cycle or hike over the Dolomites mountain passes?

The Dolomites passes are hugely popular with both cyclists and hikers. Road cyclists and mountain bikers particularly enjoy the Sellaronda and its four passes, while the Sellaronda Bike Day also takes place twice a year, when the pass roads are reserved exclusively for cyclists for one day. The Dolomites passes are also ideal starting points for hikers: marked trails lead from virtually every pass into the surrounding mountains, whether you’re heading for mountain huts, panoramic viewpoints or challenging summits.

Which passes in the Dolomites are closed in winter?

There are few fixed, calendar-based winter closures on the main passes in the Dolomites. Most of the key Dolomites passes are cleared throughout the winter, as they serve as important year-round connections. Closures are generally only temporary, when heavy snowfall, icy conditions or an immediate avalanche risk make them necessary. There is, however, a permanent winter closure on the Passo delle Erbe from the Val di Funes side, as well as at Staller Sattel, which connects South Tyrol’s Valle di Anterselva with the Defreggental Valley in East Tyrol.

Can you do a day tour including multiple mountain passes in the Dolomites?

Yes, in fact, it is one of the most popular ways to experience the Dolomites. The best-known route is the Sellaronda – the classic four-pass circuit, covering around 65 kilometres and linking Gardena Pass, Sella Pass, Pordoi Pass and Campolongo Pass. If you want to spend a full day exploring by car or motorcycle and take in even more contrasting landscapes, you can also set off on the Great Dolomite Road, starting in Bolzano and continuing through Val d'Ega past Lago di Carezza, across Val di Fassa to Pordoi Pass, and on via Falzarego Pass to Cortina d'Ampezzo. This route connects western South Tyrol with the Ampezzo Dolomites, with ever-changing rock formations along the way.

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