Veneto · Italy
Passo Giau
SP638Cortina d’Ampezzo to Selva di Cadore
A wild, hairpin-stacked Dolomites pass above Cortina.
The SP638 over the Giau Pass at 2,236 m is one of the most dramatic and demanding roads in the Dolomites, a relentless stack of hairpins through open alpine meadow beneath jagged peaks. Narrow and exposed; take the bends slowly and beware of weather rolling in fast.
The wild one of the Dolomites: a relentless stack of hairpins under jagged peaks. Our favourite in the whole range.
Why we picked it
Scenery
MountainValley
Best seasons
SummerAutumn
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Where it runs12.2 mi · point to point
Cortina d’AmpezzoStart · Veneto
Selva di CadoreEnd · Veneto
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
Corners50bends
Tightness8of 10
Max gradient12%≈ 1-in-8
Hairpins32tight bends
Descent930 mtotal descent
Summit2,224.3 mhighest point of the line · 7,298 ft
More hairpins than 9 in 10 roads in the catalogue.
Corners
busiest around mile 3Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%1,327.9 – 2,224.3 mFrom the road
Points of interest2 stops
- Passo GiauViewpoint6.3 mi in
- Rifugio FedareFood and drink7.9 mi in
Hazards
- Relentless tight hairpins
- Narrow and exposed
- Fast-changing mountain weather
Sources
“one of the best driving roads in Italy”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
Driving the Passo Giau: quick answers
How long does it take to drive the Passo Giau?
Passo Giau runs 12.2 miles (20 km) and takes about 28 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Passo Giau to drive?
We rate it expert: 50 corners including 32 hairpins, a maximum gradient of 12%, and a tightness of 8 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Passo Giau?
Summer and Autumn are best.
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Passo Giau.
Passo Giau
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