The best motorcycle roads in Italy
The short answer
The best motorcycle roads in Italy are the Stelvio Pass (2,757 m, 48 numbered hairpins on the Trafoi side), the Gavia Pass, the four Dolomites passes around the Sella group (Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, Campolongo), and the Amalfi Coast road (SS163). The high passes are usually open from late May or June to October.
Italy has more great riding roads than you can ride in a lifetime. Here are the ones riders come back to.
At a glance
| Road | Region | Highest point | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passo dello Stelvio | Lombardy / South Tyrol | 2,757 m | Hairpins, bucket-list climb |
| Passo di Gavia | Lombardy | 2,621 m | Narrow, wild, quiet on weekdays |
| Sella Ronda (4 passes) | Dolomites | 2,244 m | A full-day loop of passes |
| Amalfi Coast (SS163) | Campania | Low, along the cliffs | Views, slow and scenic |
Passo dello Stelvio
The Stelvio is the second-highest paved pass in the Alps, and the climb from Prato allo Stelvio through Trafoi is one of the most photographed roads in the world: 48 numbered hairpins stacked up the mountain. The Bormio side is faster and more open.
Tips: go early. By 10:00 on summer weekends the hairpins are full of cyclists, cars and camper vans. The summit has food stands and a lot of motorcycles. Combine it with the Umbrail Pass into Switzerland for a loop.
Passo di Gavia
South of Bormio, the Gavia is narrower, steeper and wilder than the Stelvio, with sections barely wider than a car. It's a road for confident riders who don't mind a slow pace and the odd unguarded edge.
The Dolomites: the Sella Ronda
Four passes around the Sella massif make a loop of about 50 km: Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo. Every few kilometres the view changes. Add Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego for a longer day.
Tips: the loop gets busy in July and August. Ride it in June or September, start before 9:00, and stop in Corvara or Arabba for lunch.
The Amalfi Coast (SS163)
From Positano to Vietri sul Mare, the SS163 clings to cliffs above the sea. It's narrow, full of buses and slow. Ride it out of season, early in the morning, for the views rather than the corners.
Season
High passes usually open from late May or June and close in October or November, depending on snow. Some, like the Stelvio and Gavia, can close in any month after a snowfall. Check the road status before you set off.
Ride them with others
Find group rides over the Italian passes in MotoBFF, or post your own and meet riders at the bottom of the climb. Routes other riders have published and rated are in the Routes tab.
Questions riders ask
When is the Stelvio Pass open?
Usually from late May or early June to early November, depending on snow. Check the road status before you go.
How many hairpins does the Stelvio have?
48 numbered hairpins on the north-eastern side, from Prato allo Stelvio through Trafoi to the summit.
Is the Stelvio Pass suitable for beginners?
It's not technically hard, but the tight, steep hairpins and heavy traffic make it tiring. Ride it early in the morning with a relaxed group.
What is the Sella Ronda?
A loop of about 50 km over four Dolomites passes around the Sella group: Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo.