Scenic Road Trip
Great Dolomites Road
UNESCO Peaks & Alpine Passes
First built in 1909 to connect Bolzano with Cortina, the 110-km Great Dolomites Road was designed as much for scenery as for transport. Today it remains the definitive route through the UNESCO Dolomite peaks, climbing over passes that motorcyclists and sports-car drivers cross the continent to experience.
Quick Facts
| Route | Bolzano to Cortina d’Ampezzo |
| Country | Italy |
| Distance | 110 km |
| Recommended days | 2 |
| Total drive time | ~3 hours |
| Best months | June–September |
| Toll cost | None on the pass roads; A22 motorway to Bolzano has tolls |
| Est. fuel cost | ~EUR 15 |
| Motorway speed limit | 130 km/h |
| Alcohol limit (BAC) | 0.05 |
| Drives on | Right |
Top 5 Highlights
1. Passo Pordoi
At 2,239 m, the highest point of the route with views of the Marmolada glacier
2. Lago di Carezza
A small emerald lake reflecting the Latemar peaks — arrive at sunrise for mirror-still water
3. Passo Falzarego
A 2,105 m pass with cable car access to the Lagazuoi WWI tunnels
4. Cortina d’Ampezzo
Glamorous Alpine town and 2026 Winter Olympics venue, ringed by pink Dolomite spires
5. Cinque Torri
Five dramatic rock towers accessible by a short hike from the road, with WWI open-air museum
Road Conditions & Terrain
Terrain: High Alpine passes through the UNESCO Dolomite peaks, with vertical rock walls and deep valleys
Road type: Well-engineered two-lane mountain roads with concrete barriers and panoramic pull-offs at every pass
Best Time to Drive
Best months: June–September
Passes open late May to early November; autumn turns the larch forests gold
Key Driving Rules
Italy requires reflective vest and warning triangle. Speed limit on mountain roads is typically 50–70 km/h. Many passes have 10% gradients — use low gear on descents to preserve brakes. The Bolzano LEZ requires a Euro 4+ vehicle.
Speed Limits
| Road Type | Limit |
|---|---|
| Urban | 50 km/h |
| Rural/Open road | 90 km/h |
| Motorway | 130 km/h |
Required Equipment
- Warning triangle
- Reflective vest
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fuel (petrol, round trip) | ~EUR 15 |
| Tolls/vignette | None on the pass roads; A22 motorway to Bolzano has tolls |
| Petrol price (per litre) | ~$2.02 USD |
| Diesel price (per litre) | ~$1.80 USD |
Practical Tips
- Motorcycles swarm the passes on weekends — drive predictably and check mirrors before turns
- The Sella Ronda loop (Pordoi–Sella–Gardena–Campolongo) is a must-do detour from the main route
- Cable cars at each major pass let non-hikers reach viewpoints easily
- Mountain weather changes fast — morning sun can turn to afternoon hail in 30 minutes
- South Tyrol is bilingual (German/Italian) — menus and signs often appear in both languages
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Great Dolomites Road covers 110 km and takes approximately 3 hours of pure driving time. We recommend 2 days to enjoy the highlights and stops along the way.
The best months are June–September. Passes open late May to early November; autumn turns the larch forests gold
None on the pass roads; A22 motorway to Bolzano has tolls
Italy drives on the right side of the road.
The blood alcohol limit in Italy is 0.05 BAC.
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