Head to head
Two of the most photographed alpine roads in existence. Which one deserves your only free weekend?
Our pick is the Passo dello Stelvio.
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. Verdicts weigh road quality, scenery, traffic and how likely you are to actually enjoy the drive on the day. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 12 April 2026
The numbers
| Measure | Passo dello Stelvio | Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers Atlas rating | 9.9 | 9.8 |
| Driving score | 9.8 / 10 | 9.7 / 10 |
| Scenery score | 9.9 / 10 | 9.9 / 10 |
| Length | 49 km | 48 km |
| Where | Lombardy and South Tyrol, Italy | Salzburg and Carinthia, Austria |
| Season | Closed roughly November to May | Closed roughly November to April |
Verdict
The Grossglockner is beautifully engineered and immaculately maintained, but it is a toll road with speed limits, cameras and a very managed feel. The Stelvio is wilder, harder and more of an event.
If you are travelling with people who do not enjoy exposure or hairpins, the Grossglockner is far more comfortable, and the visitor centres make it a better family day.
The roads
Lombardy and South Tyrol, Italy
Eighty four hairpins stacked above the treeline make this Europe's most theatrical mountain pass.
30.4 mi · Rating 9.9 / 10 · 1 hr 32 min
Salzburg and Carinthia, Austria
Austria's grandest high alpine road climbs to Franz Josefs Hohe beneath the country's tallest peak.
29.8 mi · Rating 9.8 / 10 · 1 hr 30 min