The Great Dolomites Road

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 7 min read

The Grande Strada delle Dolomiti — the Great Dolomites Road — is one of the great driving routes in the world. Stretching roughly 110 kilometres between Bolzano and Cortina d'Ampezzo, it crosses three high mountain passes, threads through valleys of sheer pink limestone, and passes some of the most recognisable rock formations on the planet. It is a road that rewards patience, an early start, and a willingness to stop constantly.

The route in brief

The classic direction is east to west from Bolzano (or west to east starting from Cortina), covering the route in a single long day or comfortably across two, with an overnight stop in one of the valley towns. The distance is roughly 110 km as the route runs, but the three passes add significant driving time — allow at least 3–4 hours of pure driving, more with stops, and realistically half a day to a full day if you want to do it justice.

The road is signposted as the Grande Strada delle Dolomiti and follows the SS48 and SS48b along much of its length. It forms part of the broader UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites area, which covers nine separate mountain massifs.

The three main passes

The route crosses three classic alpine passes, each with its own character:

Passo di Costalunga (Karerpass) — 1,745 m

The first pass heading east from Bolzano, the Costalunga (or Karerpass in German, reflecting the area's bilingual Ladin/Italian/German character) rises through pine forest before opening up to views of the Latemar massif. At the top, the Lago di Carezza — a small alpine lake known for its extraordinary colour — is just a short diversion from the pass road and is one of the most photographed spots in the Dolomites. Arrive early in summer; by mid-morning the car park is full and the walk from the road can be long.

Passo di Pordoi — 2,239 m

The highest point on the Great Dolomites Road and one of the most dramatic. The Pordoi sits between the Sella group and the Marmolada, and the views from the top — across the jagged silhouettes of the Dolomite towers — are outstanding in clear weather. A cable car (Sass Pordoi) rises a further 500 metres above the pass for even more panoramic views. The road up to Pordoi from either direction involves dozens of tight hairpin bends and is moderately demanding for less experienced mountain drivers.

Passo di Falzarego — 2,105 m

The final major pass before descending into Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Falzarego has strong historical resonance — the jagged rocks above are riddled with First World War tunnels and fortifications from the Italian-Austrian front. A cable car accesses the wartime network, which can be toured. The descent into Cortina is long and sweeping, with extraordinary views of the Cinque Torri rock formation above.

Best time to drive

The Great Dolomites Road is typically open from approximately late May to late October, depending on snowfall. The high passes close in winter and may not fully reopen until early June after a heavy snow year. The route is best driven on a clear day — mountain weather here is changeable, and low cloud can obscure the peaks that make the drive worthwhile. Early morning on summer days often gives the clearest skies before afternoon convection clouds build up.

July and August are the peak tourist months, and the route — especially around the Pordoi and Falzarego — can be very congested, particularly at weekends. If you are driving in summer, set off early (before 08:00) to get ahead of the coaches and motorcycles. September is widely regarded as the best month: the colours of the larch trees begin to turn golden, crowds thin noticeably, and mountain weather is often more stable.

Practical driving tips

The Great Dolomites Road is an ordinary paved road — not a specialist off-road route — and can be driven in any standard car. But mountain driving demands specific techniques:

• Use engine braking on descents: On the long downhill sections after each pass, select a lower gear and use the engine to limit speed rather than riding the brakes. Sustained heavy braking downhill can overheat and fade the brakes.
• Pull in to pass: The road is narrow in many sections. When meeting a wider vehicle, the driver going uphill generally has priority on the narrowest points — pull into a passing place if needed.
• Do not stop on the road: Even a briefly stopped car on a hairpin creates a hazard for following traffic. Use designated viewpoints and car parks.
• Fuel up before you start: Fill the tank in Bolzano or Cortina. Service stations on the passes are limited and expensive.
• Carry a layer: Even in summer, temperatures at 2,200 metres can be cool. If you are stopping at the pass tops, bring a jacket.

Starting points: Bolzano and Cortina

Bolzano (Bozen) is the capital of South Tyrol, a bilingual (Italian/German) city easily reached by motorway from Trento, Verona and the Brenner Pass from Austria. It is a pleasant overnight base with good restaurants and a well-preserved historic centre.

Cortina d'Ampezzo is the most famous ski resort in the Dolomites — elegant, expensive and very popular with Italian and international visitors. It sits in a wide valley at around 1,200 metres. The town gets very busy in summer; arriving by car requires patience, particularly on weekends.

Both towns have accommodation at a range of prices. If the goal is to drive the route in one direction and return by a different way, the Giau Pass (Passo di Giau, 2,236 m) and the Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena, 2,121 m) offer spectacular alternatives for a loop.

Extensions and nearby passes

The Great Dolomites Road is just one axis of a broader network of mountain passes in the area. The most celebrated circuit for drivers and cyclists combines five passes in a loop — the Sella Ronda, encompassing the Gardena, Campolongo, Arabba, Pordoi and Sella passes. This can be driven in a full day with time for stops and is signposted in either direction. The driving is more demanding than the Great Dolomites Road and not recommended for those uncomfortable with long alpine descents.

For wider context on European scenic routes, see our guide to the best European road trips.

Where to stop along the route

• Lago di Carezza: Coloured alpine lake just off the road near the Costalunga pass — don't miss it, but arrive before 09:00 in summer.
• Arabba: A small ski village in the valley between the Pordoi and Campolongo passes, with cafes and a post office. Good lunch stop.
• Sass Pordoi cable car: At the Pordoi summit — worth the twenty-minute ride up for the views if conditions are clear.
• Cinque Torri: A group of five free-standing rock towers above the Falzarego pass, reachable by chairlift or a one-hour hike — iconic Dolomite scenery and First World War history.
• Cortina town centre: The end point, or starting point — the Corso Italia pedestrian street is worth an hour and a coffee after the drive.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special vehicle to drive the Great Dolomites Road?

No. The Great Dolomites Road is a standard paved road and can be driven in any ordinary car. A car with a manual gearbox helps on the hairpin climbs, but automatics are fine too. No off-road capability is needed.

When do the Dolomites passes open for the season?

The main passes on the Great Dolomites Road — Costalunga, Pordoi and Falzarego — typically open from late May or early June, depending on winter snowfall, and close again in late October or November. Always check current pass status with local authorities or traffic information before setting off in the shoulder months.

Is there a toll on the Great Dolomites Road?

The Great Dolomites Road itself is toll-free. However, some access roads to viewpoints, cable cars and car parks in the Dolomites area charge a fee. The roads connecting to the motorway network at Bolzano and further south are part of Italy's toll motorway network — see our guide to motorway tolls in Europe for details on Italy's system.

How long does it take to drive from Bolzano to Cortina?

The distance is roughly 110 km, but the three passes, the hairpin bends and the desire to stop at viewpoints mean you should allow at least 3–4 hours of actual driving, and more realistically a full half-day to a whole day if you want to stop and take in the scenery properly.