Motorcycle Ride Planner · Routes · Italy

Passo Giau (The Queen of Dolomites Passes)

Italy · SP638

Regarded by seasoned riders as the most pure, technical, and photogenic alpine pass in the Dolomites. The western ascent from Selva di Cadore is an unrelenting climb with 29 tight switchbacks and 10-14% continuous gradients. The summit at 2,236m (7,336 ft) sits in a vast high alpine pasture directly under the sheer needle of Ra Gusela and Nuvolau, with 360-degree views of the Tofane and Marmolada. Toll-free. Closed November to late May.

Passo Giau (The Queen of Dolomites Passes) runs 14 miles between Selva di Cadore, Belluno, Italy and Pocol / Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, Italy. We count about 115 corners along it, which is relentless. Demanding, and not a road to meet in the wet.

Tank-bag quick reference

• StartSelva di Cadore, Belluno, Italy46.4522, 12.0347
• High4,300 ft - 7,336 ft (2,236m Passo Giau)elevation range
• EndPocol / Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, Italy46.5317, 12.1122

T-CLOCS before you go: tyres and wheels, controls and cables, lights and electrics, oil and fluids, chassis and stand.

Repair within reach

• 8 miMoto Garage Cortina d'Ampezzo (Dolomiti Moto Service)Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
• 23 miDolomiti Moto Belluno (Moto Point Belluno)Belluno, Italy
• 37 miAuto Ikaro BMW Motorrad BolzanoBolzano, Italy
• 54 miTrento Moto Service (Motostile Trento)Trento, Italy

Straight-line distance from the start of the route, not driving distance.

More in Italy

• Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio)31 mi · 280 corners
• Sella Ronda Circuit (Four-Pass Dolomites Ring)33 mi · 220 corners
• Passo Pordoi (Grande Strada delle Dolomiti)14 mi · 120 corners
• Passo Falzarego & Passo Valparola19 mi · 110 corners
• Passo Fedaia & Marmolada Glacier14 mi · 85 corners
• Passo Campolongo (Sella Ring East Crest)9 mi · 65 corners

Questions riders ask

How long does Passo Giau (The Queen of Dolomites Passes) take to ride?

About 14 miles. At an unhurried pace with stops that is roughly 1 hour of riding, longer if you are stopping for photographs.

Where does Passo Giau (The Queen of Dolomites Passes) start and end?

It runs between Selva di Cadore, Belluno, Italy and Pocol / Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, Italy. Either end works as a start; the route reads the same in both directions.

Is Passo Giau (The Queen of Dolomites Passes) a twisty road?

We count about 115 corners across 14 miles, which is relentless.

Is there a GPX file for Passo Giau (The Queen of Dolomites Passes)?

Yes. The GPX is free, there is no account, and the planner will build a route that includes this road alongside others nearby.

Where these numbers come from

Distances and corner counts come from the route's own geometry, not from ratings or votes. Nothing here is crowdsourced and nobody paid to appear.