Great Dolomite Road
A historic road of about 110 km from Bolzano to the Winter Olympic town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, crossing the Costalunga, Pordoi and Falzarego passes.
The Great Dolomite Road was completed in 1909 and is one of the earliest Alpine roads built for tourism. It runs east from Bolzano through the UNESCO-listed Dolomites to the Winter Olympic town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, covering about 110 km, with its highest point at Passo Pordoi, 2,239 m. The road first passes through the narrow Val d'Ega gorge and reaches Lago di Carezza, whose waters mirror the Latemar peaks. It then crosses Passo di Costalunga (1,745 m) into the Fassa Valley. After Canazei, it climbs in a series of hairpin bends to Passo Pordoi, where a cable car can take you up to Sass Pordoi. Descending via Arabba, the road crosses Passo Falzarego (2,105 m), near the Lagazuoi cable car and its First World War tunnels, and the Cinque Torri (Five Towers), before winding down to Cortina. It can be driven in a day, but 2–3 days are recommended to include side trips such as the Sella Ronda and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks). In summer the passes are busy and most parking lots charge fees. In winter the passes are generally open but can be closed temporarily during heavy snowfall, and snow tires are required in snow season.