Driving the Dolomites: Best Road Trip Route & Great Dolomites Road

What is the Great Dolomites Road?

The Grande Strada delle Dolomiti, or Great Dolomites Road, is the historic scenic road linking Bolzano with Cortina d’Ampezzo.

The route was developed around the turn of the 20th century and helped open the Dolomites to tourism.

Today, the classic route is approximately 110 km long.

Heading east from Bolzano, it runs broadly through:

1. Bolzano
2. Val d’Ega
3. Nova Levante
4. Lago di Carezza
5. Passo Costalunga
6. Val di Fassa
7. Canazei
8. Passo Pordoi
9. Arabba
10. Passo Falzarego
11. Cortina d’Ampezzo

The route uses mountain roads including the SS241 and SS48.

It is not the fastest way to travel between Bolzano and Cortina.

That is precisely the point.

How long does the Great Dolomites Road take?

If you drive without meaningful stops, the road itself takes only a few hours.

For sightseeing, allow a full day.

A realistic one-day road trip includes:

• several short photo stops
• Lago di Carezza
• a coffee or lunch stop
• Passo Pordoi
• one short walk
• Passo Falzarego
• arrival in Cortina

If you also want to take cable cars, complete longer hikes or spend time in villages, split the route over two days.

The Dolomites reward slow travel.

Saving an hour by skipping every stop defeats the purpose of choosing the scenic road.

Great Dolomites Road itinerary

Stop 1: Bolzano

Bolzano is the traditional western starting point.

You do not need to spend half the day here if the mountains are the priority, but it is a useful place to collect a rental car, buy supplies and begin the climb into the Dolomites.

From Bolzano, head east into Val d’Ega.

The city falls away quickly as the road enters the mountain valleys.

Stop 2: Val d’Ega

The road climbs through the narrow Ega Valley towards Nova Levante.

Modern tunnels bypass some of the old gorge road, but the approach still gives you a strong sense of entering the Dolomites.

This section is the transition from the broad Bolzano basin into the high mountain landscape.

Stop 3: Lago di Carezza

Lago di Carezza is one of the easiest lake stops on the route.

The lake sits beneath the Latemar massif and needs very little walking to reach the main viewpoints.

You do not need hours here.

Allow roughly 30 to 60 minutes unless you plan a longer walk.

Early morning is particularly attractive because the lake can be calmer and there are fewer tour groups.

Stop 4: Passo Costalunga

From Carezza, continue over Passo Costalunga, also known as Karerpass.

This is the transition towards Val di Fassa.

As a drive it is less demanding than Pordoi, but the Catinaccio/Rosengarten and Latemar mountains around it make it a good part of the route.

Stop 5: Val di Fassa

The road descends into Val di Fassa and passes through towns including Vigo di Fassa before reaching Canazei.

If you want to split the Great Dolomites Road into two days, Canazei is one of the most practical overnight stops.

It gives you easy access to:

• Passo Pordoi
• Passo Sella
• the Marmolada area
• Val di Fassa
• the Sella Ronda

Stop 6: Canazei

Canazei is where the road trip starts to feel properly alpine.

From here, the road climbs steeply towards Passo Pordoi.

This is also where you need to stop thinking in kilometres.

A mountain pass that looks close can take much longer than expected because of hairpins, traffic and viewpoints.

Stop 7: Passo Pordoi

Passo Pordoi is one of the highlights of the entire drive.

At 2,239 metres, it is the highest point on the classic Great Dolomites Road.

The approach includes repeated hairpin bends, and the pass opens onto wide views of the Sella group and surrounding mountains.

If the Sass Pordoi cable car is operating and the weather is clear, stop longer. It usually runs from late May to mid-October and again in the ski season.

The cable car climbs from the pass to a high plateau viewpoint often called the Terrace of the Dolomites.

If cloud completely covers the peaks, however, do not take the cable car simply because it was in the original plan.

Save the time for another stop.

Stop 8: Arabba

After Pordoi, descend through a long sequence of bends towards Arabba.

This is a small mountain resort, not a major sightseeing town, but it makes a practical break between Pordoi and Falzarego.

It is also a useful base if you want to explore the Sella Ronda and the central Dolomites by car.

Stop 9: Passo Falzarego

Passo Falzarego is the final major pass on the classic route before Cortina.

The scenery is more rugged here, and the history runs deeper than at most other stops.

During the First World War, this area lay on the mountain front between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces. Trenches, tunnels and fortifications remain throughout the surrounding mountains.

When operating, the Lagazuoi cable car climbs from the pass to high panoramic terrain. In 2026 it is scheduled through 18 October.

If you have time for only one cable car on the road trip, choose based on:

• weather
• operating dates
• visibility
• your interests

Sass Pordoi gives you a broad high-plateau panorama.

Lagazuoi combines views with First World War history.

Stop 10: Cortina d’Ampezzo

The Great Dolomites Road finishes in Cortina.

Cortina is much more than a finishing pin on the map. It is one of the best bases for the eastern Dolomites and makes sense for at least one night if your schedule allows.

From here, you can continue on separate days towards:

• Tre Cime di Lavaredo
• Lago di Misurina
• Cinque Torri
• Passo Giau
• Lago di Braies

If you drove from Bolzano in one day, stay overnight instead of immediately turning around and repeating the route.

One-day Great Dolomites Road itinerary

If you have one full day, this is the structure we would use.

08:00: Leave Bolzano

Start early enough to enjoy Lago di Carezza before the busiest period.

09:00: Lago di Carezza

Walk to the viewpoints and spend around 30 to 45 minutes.

10:00: Continue through Val di Fassa

Stop briefly for coffee if you want, but keep moving towards the major passes.

11:30: Passo Pordoi

Allow at least 45 minutes.

Add considerably more if you take the cable car.

13:00: Lunch around Arabba

A simple lunch stop works better than a long restaurant meal if you have only one day.

14:30: Passo Falzarego

Stop for the views.

Take the Lagazuoi cable car only if you have allowed enough time and visibility is good.

17:00: Arrive in Cortina

Walk through town, have dinner and stay overnight if possible.

This is still a full day.

Do not add Seceda, Tre Cime and Lago di Braies to the same route.

Two-day Great Dolomites Road itinerary

Two days is better if the road trip itself is a major part of your holiday.

Day 1: Bolzano to Canazei

Stop at:

• Lago di Carezza
• Passo Costalunga
• Val di Fassa

Spend the afternoon on a short walk or cable car.

Stay in Canazei.

Day 2: Canazei to Cortina

Drive:

• Passo Pordoi
• Arabba
• Passo Falzarego
• Cortina

With two days, you can add a cable car at Pordoi or Lagazuoi without turning the day into a race.

Should you drive the Great Dolomites Road eastbound or westbound?

Both directions work.

Bolzano to Cortina

This is the classic direction and works naturally if your wider Italy trip moves from South Tyrol towards Venice.

It also finishes in Cortina, where you can spend another day exploring the eastern Dolomites.

Cortina to Bolzano

Choose the reverse direction if you are travelling from Venice towards South Tyrol, Lake Garda, Verona or Austria.

The scenery is no worse in either direction, so let the rest of your trip settle it.

The Sella Ronda by car

The Sella Ronda is one of the best circular road trips in the Dolomites.

It loops around the Sella massif using four major passes:

1. Passo Gardena
2. Passo Campolongo
3. Passo Pordoi
4. Passo Sella

The loop is short in distance and packed with scenery.

It works particularly well from:

• Canazei
• Selva di Val Gardena
• Corvara
• Arabba

How long should you allow?

The driving itself can be completed in a few hours.

Allow most of a day if you want to stop at the passes, take photographs and have lunch.

In summer, cyclists and traffic can slow progress substantially.

Which direction is best?

Either direction works.

If photography matters, the position of the sun may influence the order more than the road itself.

Otherwise, start from your accommodation and drive whichever direction avoids unnecessary backtracking.

Passo Gardena

Passo Gardena links Val Gardena with Alta Badia.

It is one of the most dramatic road-accessible viewpoints in the western Dolomites, with the cliffs of the Sella group on one side and the Cir peaks on the other.

Drive it even if you are not doing the full Sella Ronda.

It works particularly well as a route between:

• Selva di Val Gardena
• Corvara
• Alta Badia

Passo Sella

Passo Sella connects the Val Gardena side with Val di Fassa.

The road runs beneath Sassolungo and the Sella massif, which makes this one of the strongest sections for close mountain scenery.

There are several places to stop, but parking fills quickly on busy summer days.

Do not stop illegally on narrow road edges simply because the viewpoint looks good.

Passo Campolongo

Campolongo links Arabba and Corvara.

As a destination in its own right it is less dramatic than Pordoi or Gardena, but it is a key part of the Sella Ronda and a natural connection between the central Dolomites valleys.

Passo Giau

Passo Giau is not on the classic Great Dolomites Road, but it belongs on any shortlist of the best Dolomites drives.

It lies south-west of Cortina and reaches over 2,200 metres.

The open views around the summit are exceptional.

Passo Giau works well in a loop with:

• Cortina
• Selva di Cadore
• Falzarego
• Cinque Torri

If you are staying in Cortina and have half a day for scenic driving, put Giau high on the list.

Passo Valparola

Passo Valparola sits just north of Falzarego and links the Cortina side with Alta Badia.

It is easy to add to an eastern Dolomites loop.

A strong day route is:

Cortina → Falzarego → Valparola → Corvara → Passo Gardena → Passo Sella

From there, continue according to your overnight base.

Best Dolomites road trip from Cortina

If you are based in Cortina, you do not need to drive all the way to Bolzano to find excellent mountain roads.

A strong circular day is:

Cortina → Passo Falzarego → Passo Valparola → Corvara → Passo Campolongo → Arabba → Passo Giau → Cortina

This gives you:

• several passes
• Alta Badia
• Arabba
• huge mountain views
• manageable sightseeing stops

The driving time varies a lot with traffic and stops, so treat it as a full-day route.

Best Dolomites road trip from Val Gardena

From Ortisei or Selva, focus on the Sella group.

A strong loop is:

Val Gardena → Passo Gardena → Corvara → Passo Campolongo → Arabba → Passo Pordoi → Canazei → Passo Sella → Val Gardena

This is essentially the Sella Ronda by car.

It is one of the most efficient ways to see a wide range of Dolomites scenery without changing hotels.

Best Dolomites road trip from Venice

If you are coming from Venice for one day, do not drive first to Bolzano just to say you completed the Great Dolomites Road.

That is inefficient.

From Venice, the eastern Dolomites make much more sense.

A practical route could include:

1. Cortina
2. Lago di Misurina
3. Passo Falzarego
4. Passo Giau
5. return towards Venice

Or, if Tre Cime is the priority:

1. Venice
2. Cortina
3. Misurina
4. Tre Cime area
5. return

Without a car, the Best of the Dolomites day trip from Venice, rated 4.7/5 from more than 990 reviews, drives the same eastern side: about 70 minutes in Cortina, the Passo Tre Croci road to Lake Misurina for two hours, and a stop at Lake Auronzo on the way back, from $128 per person. Our Venice to the Dolomites guide compares the routes, the tours and the bus, and our Dolomites tours from Venice page lists every departure.

How many days do you need for a Dolomites road trip?

One day

Choose one compact route.

Best choices:

• Great Dolomites Road one-way
• Sella Ronda
• Cortina passes loop
• Venice to the eastern Dolomites

Two days

Drive the Great Dolomites Road slowly and add cable cars or walks.

Three to four days

Use two bases, such as:

• Val Gardena + Cortina
• Canazei + Cortina
• Bolzano + Cortina

This is enough to drive the major western and eastern pass roads without spending every hour behind the wheel.

Five to seven days

Ideal if you want to mix road trips with hiking.

At this point, drive less each day.

The Dolomites are best when driving is one part of the trip, not the entire trip. Our best hikes in the Dolomites guide covers the walks to slot in between driving days.

Where should you stay on a Dolomites road trip?

Bolzano

Best for beginning or ending the Great Dolomites Road.

It is convenient for rental cars and onward travel but is not the best base for daily high-mountain sightseeing.

Canazei

Excellent for:

• Pordoi
• Sella
• Val di Fassa
• Sella Ronda

Ortisei or Selva di Val Gardena

Best for:

• Seceda
• Alpe di Siusi
• Gardena Pass
• Sella Pass

Corvara

Very central for:

• Alta Badia
• Gardena
• Campolongo
• Valparola

Cortina

Best for:

• Falzarego
• Giau
• Tre Cime
• Misurina
• Cinque Torri

For a first multi-day road trip, Val Gardena plus Cortina is a particularly strong combination. Our full Dolomites itinerary by day shows how to split a week between them.

Do you need a rental car in the Dolomites?

No, but it gives you much more freedom.

Public transport is good in several valleys, especially in South Tyrol, and you can visit major hiking areas without driving.

A car becomes especially valuable if:

• scenic roads are a priority
• you want sunrise or sunset viewpoints
• you are moving between valleys
• you have limited days
• you are travelling outside peak transport periods

If you mainly want to hike from one base, a car may spend most of the trip parked.

What type of car is best?

You do not need an SUV.

A small or medium-sized car is often easier because:

• village streets can be narrow
• parking spaces can be tight
• hairpins are easier in a shorter vehicle
• fuel consumption is lower

Choose an automatic if you are more comfortable with one.

A manual is fine for experienced drivers, but repeated steep starts and hairpins are not the ideal place to learn.

Can you drive a large van in the Dolomites?

Yes on major roads, but it is less convenient.

Large vehicles are harder to:

• park
• turn on tight bends
• manoeuvre in villages
• pass on narrow roads

If you are travelling as a large family or group, a minivan is workable, but allow more time and be selective about small side roads.

Are there tolls on the Great Dolomites Road?

The mountain-pass sections of the classic Great Dolomites Road are normal public roads, not a single tolled scenic highway.

However, you may pay:

• Italian motorway tolls on approach routes
• parking charges
• access or parking fees at individual attractions, such as the private toll road up to Rifugio Auronzo below the Tre Cime
• cable-car tickets

Do not confuse attraction access fees with a toll for the Great Dolomites Road itself.

Are Dolomites mountain passes always open?

No.

Major passes often stay open for long periods, but temporary closures can happen because of:

• snow
• ice
• rockfall
• roadworks
• sporting events
• accidents
• extreme weather

Before a road-trip day, check the official provincial traffic information instead of relying solely on a route saved weeks earlier.

South Tyrol’s Traffic Information Centre publishes current information on roadworks, mountain roads and pass conditions.

Driving the Dolomites in summer

Summer is the easiest season for a road trip.

The main advantages are:

• long daylight
• high passes generally open
• cable cars operating
• mountain huts open
• a wide choice of sightseeing

The disadvantages are:

• traffic
• cyclists
• motorbikes
• busy parking
• occasional closures for events

Start early.

A road that is peaceful at 08:00 can feel completely different around midday.

Driving the Dolomites in September

September is one of the best road-trip months.

You still have much of the summer infrastructure, but traffic generally starts to ease after the main holiday period.

This is a particularly strong time to combine:

• mountain passes
• short hikes
• cable cars
• lakes

Check seasonal dates later in the month, because lifts begin closing in stages.

Driving the Dolomites in October

October can be excellent for road trips because autumn colour adds another layer to the scenery.

However, conditions become less predictable.

Check:

• pass status
• snowfall
• overnight frost
• lift closures
• daylight

Early October is much easier than late October for a route centred on high passes. In 2026 Alta Badia’s summer lifts close on 4 October and Cortina’s on 18 October, so a late-October road trip leans on the roads themselves and on the lifts that run longer in Val Gardena.

See our Dolomites in October guide for detailed seasonal planning, and the Dolomites in autumn guide if you are choosing between September, October and November.

Driving in winter

Winter driving needs a different approach.

You need to think about:

• winter tyres or chains where legally required
• snow
• ice
• shorter daylight
• pass closures
• ski traffic

Do not assume a classic summer pass route is available in winter.

Use live road information.

If you are uncomfortable driving on snow, base yourself in a resort with good public transport instead.

What are the roads like?

Most major pass roads have:

• good asphalt
• guardrails on exposed sections
• clear lane markings
• frequent bends
• few chances to overtake

The difficulty is usually not poor road quality.

It is the concentration needed over repeated bends while sharing the road with other users.

Hairpins

Slow down before the bend, not halfway through it.

Use the full width of your lane, not the full width of the road.

Expect buses and larger vehicles to need extra space.

Descents

Do not ride the brakes continuously on long descents.

Use a lower gear to help control speed.

This matters most in a manual car but also applies to automatics with selectable lower gears or descent modes.

Cyclists

The Dolomites are a major cycling destination.

Expect cyclists on almost every famous pass.

Give them space and wait for a genuinely safe place to overtake.

A blind hairpin is not that place.

Parking in the Dolomites

Parking is often a bigger practical issue than the driving itself.

At famous attractions:

• arrive early
• use marked parking areas
• check whether reservations are required
• do not block narrow road edges
• carry a payment card and some cash

Places such as Lago di Braies and Tre Cime can have specific seasonal access systems. From 1 July to 15 September the road to Lago di Braies is closed to cars without a booked parking space between 9am and 4pm, and in summer the Tre Cime toll road needs an online booking. Our Lago di Braies guide has the details.

Always check the current rules.

Fuel and charging

Fill up before spending a full day crossing high passes.

Petrol stations exist throughout the region, but they are less frequent on the highest scenic sections.

For electric cars, charging infrastructure keeps improving in the larger valleys and towns.

Still, plan charging stops before a multi-pass day instead of assuming the next village will have an available fast charger.

Mountain driving also affects energy consumption differently from flat-road driving.

Navigation

Google Maps and other navigation apps are useful, but they should not be your only source.

A navigation app may:

• choose a faster but less scenic road
• reroute you through a narrow local road
• fail to pick up a temporary pass closure immediately
• suggest a road that is technically open but impractical in current weather

Use navigation together with:

• official traffic reports
• road signs
• current local information

If a sign contradicts your app, follow the sign.

How much driving should you plan per day?

Less than you think.

For a sightseeing road trip, 100 to 150 km can easily be enough for a full day.

That sounds short until you add:

• four mountain passes
• lunch
• viewpoints
• parking
• walking
• cable cars

Avoid building a Dolomites itinerary around 300 km driving days unless you genuinely enjoy spending most of the holiday inside the car.

Common Dolomites road-trip mistakes

Planning by distance instead of time

Fifty mountain kilometres are not the same as fifty motorway kilometres.

Adding too many famous places

Tre Cime, Seceda, Braies, Giau and Pordoi do not need to be visited on the same day.

Driving the Great Dolomites Road as an out-and-back day from Bolzano

It is possible, but you repeat a lot of road.

If you can, continue to Cortina and stay there.

Ignoring cyclists

The famous passes are shared roads.

Drive patiently.

Not checking live road conditions

A route that worked yesterday can be affected by weather or an event today.

Stopping illegally for photographs

Use proper pull-offs and parking areas.

No photograph is worth blocking a mountain road.

Making the driver responsible for sightseeing

Swap drivers if possible.

The person driving should be watching the road, not trying to photograph the Sella group through the windscreen.

Great Dolomites Road vs Sella Ronda

Choose the Great Dolomites Road if:

• you want a historic point-to-point route
• you are travelling between Bolzano and Cortina
• you want Carezza, Pordoi and Falzarego
• you have one or two days

Choose the Sella Ronda if:

• you are based in Val Gardena, Canazei, Arabba or Corvara
• you want a circular day route
• mountain passes are the main attraction
• you do not want to change hotels

Both are worth doing on a longer trip.

Great Dolomites Road or Venice to Cortina?

These are different trips.

The Great Dolomites Road approaches the mountains from the west and crosses the central Dolomites.

Venice to Cortina approaches from the south-east and is much better for a one-day excursion from Venice.

If you are already staying in Venice, do not detour to Bolzano simply to start the historic road.

If your wider trip moves from Bolzano towards Venice, however, driving the Great Dolomites Road to Cortina is an excellent way to connect the two regions.

A simple 4-day Dolomites road-trip itinerary

Day 1: Bolzano to Canazei

Drive via Lago di Carezza and Passo Costalunga.

Stay in Canazei.

Day 2: Sella Ronda

Drive Pordoi, Campolongo, Gardena and Sella.

Stay in Val Gardena or Corvara.

Day 3: Corvara to Cortina

Drive via Valparola and Falzarego.

Add Cinque Torri or Lagazuoi if time and operating dates allow.

Stay in Cortina.

Day 4: Cortina loop

Choose from:

• Passo Giau
• Lago di Misurina
• Tre Cime
• Lago di Braies

Do not try to include all four unless you are mostly driving and making very short stops.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best road in the Dolomites?

For a classic point-to-point trip, the Great Dolomites Road between Bolzano and Cortina is the obvious choice. For a circular mountain-pass drive, the Sella Ronda is hard to beat.

How long is the Great Dolomites Road?

The historic Bolzano-Cortina route is approximately 110 km.

Can you drive the Great Dolomites Road in one day?

Yes. Allow a full day if you want to stop at lakes, passes and viewpoints.

Is the Great Dolomites Road scary?

Not for most confident drivers. It has steep sections and many hairpins, but the main roads are paved and widely used.

Do you need a 4x4?

No. A normal car is enough for the main paved Dolomites roads in suitable conditions.

What is the best car for the Dolomites?

A small or medium car is ideal. It is easier to park and to manoeuvre on hairpins and village streets.

What are the best Dolomites mountain passes to drive?

Passo Pordoi, Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Falzarego, Passo Giau and Passo Valparola are all excellent.

Can you drive around the Dolomites in October?

Yes, but check current pass conditions and weather. Early October is generally easier than late October.

Can you drive the Dolomites in winter?

Yes in many valleys and on roads that remain open, but not every high-pass route is available. Winter equipment and live road information are essential.

Is parking difficult?

At major attractions in peak summer, it can be. Start early and check reservation requirements.

Can I drive from Venice through the Dolomites?

Yes. Venice is best connected with the eastern Dolomites around Cortina, not with the western start of the Great Dolomites Road.

Is the Great Dolomites Road toll-free?

The scenic mountain-pass road itself is not a single tolled tourist road. You may still pay motorway tolls on your approach and separate parking or attraction charges.

Is there a guided tour of the Great Dolomites Road?

Yes. The Great Dolomites Road private day trip by car from Bolzano covers the western half: Lago di Carezza, the Costalunga Pass, Val di Fassa, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella and Ortisei. It is priced per group of up to eight, from $1,455.

Final planning advice

The Dolomites are one of those places where driving is not just transport between attractions.

The road is part of the attraction.

For a first road trip, the Great Dolomites Road from Bolzano to Cortina gives you the clearest introduction: Carezza, Val di Fassa, Pordoi, Arabba, Falzarego and Cortina all fit naturally into one continuous route.

If you have more time, add the Sella Ronda and an eastern loop through Giau, Falzarego and Valparola.

But keep the daily distances modest.

A road-trip day with 100 km of great mountain roads, two passes, a lake and a long lunch is usually better than a 300 km checklist.

Check the live pass conditions before leaving, start early in summer and give cyclists plenty of space.

Most importantly, leave time to stop. The stops are where the road trip turns into a trip.

Useful official sources

Before driving, check:

• South Tyrol Traffic Information Centre
• Cortina d’Ampezzo official tourism information
• Val di Fassa official tourism information