Head to head
Dolomite passes, and everyone has a favourite. Which two hours matter most?
Our pick is the Passo Giau.
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 14 April 2026
The numbers
| Measure | Passo Giau | Passo Sella |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers Atlas rating | 9.6 | 9.6 |
| Driving score | 9.4 / 10 | 9.3 / 10 |
| Scenery score | 9.8 / 10 | 9.9 / 10 |
| Length | 17 km | 11 km |
| Where | Veneto, Italy | Trentino and South Tyrol, Italy |
| Season | Closed roughly November to April | Closed roughly November to April |
Verdict
The Giau has the finest single view in the Dolomites and a set of hairpins that stay open and readable, with much less traffic than the Sella Ronda loop.
The Sella is part of the classic four pass loop, so if you have a full day it belongs in the route rather than instead of it.
The roads
Veneto, Italy
Twenty nine hairpins climb to a wide open saddle ringed by the jagged Cinque Torri.
10.6 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10 · 32 min
Trentino and South Tyrol, Italy
Sheer Dolomite towers on both sides make this short link one of the world's great scenic drives.
6.8 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10 · 21 min