Italy, Dolomites
War tunnels, a small lake and the Lagazuoi towers, quieter than its famous neighbours.
Length
33 km
In miles
20.5 mi
Driving time
1 hr 2 min
Atlas rating
9.4 / 10
The run
La Villa to Cortina d'Ampezzo, following the SP24. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Winter closure in heavy snow years
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 31 March 2026
Nearby
6 km away
Passo Giau
Twenty nine hairpins climb to a wide open saddle ringed by the jagged Cinque Torri.
7 km away
Passo Campolongo
The gentlest of the Sella Ronda passes but with knockout views of the Sella massif.
12 km away
Passo Fedaia
A brutal ramp to a dam under the Marmolada glacier, the roof of the Dolomites.
14 km away
Sella Ronda Loop
Four Dolomite passes in a single circuit of the Sella massif, the finest loop in Europe.
15 km away
Passo Pordoi
Twenty eight numbered hairpins climb to the highest paved point of the Dolomites road network.
17 km away
Passo Gardena
Limestone spires of the Sella group frame every one of this pass's flowing bends.
Plan around it
Curated drives
Italy, Dolomites
The Great Dolomites Drive
Four legendary passes strung between limestone cathedrals, the definitive alpine day.
Italy, Italian Alps
Stelvio Pass
Forty-eight numbered hairpins stacked like a staircase into the sky.
Italy, Lake Garda
Lake Garda Mountain Loop
Gardesana corniche tunnels, then a climb into olive terraces above the water.
A to B journeys
4 days
London to Lake Garda
The classic run south from England to the Italian lakes, taken the long way through the Alps rather than straight down the autoroute.
4 days
London to The Dolomites
The best pass driving in Europe sits at the end of this one, reached through Germany and Austria rather than Switzerland.
2 days
Munich to Lake Como
A short journey with an outrageous amount of great road packed into it, including the Stelvio if the season allows.
Longer journeys
4h 15m
The Great Dolomites Drive
Four legendary passes strung between limestone cathedrals, the definitive alpine day.
1h 30m
Stelvio Pass
Forty-eight numbered hairpins stacked like a staircase into the sky.
3h 20m
Lake Garda Mountain Loop
Gardesana corniche tunnels, then a climb into olive terraces above the water.