The Passo Giau has none of the Stelvio’s length, but its reputation in the Dolomites rivals the great Alpine passes: 29 hairpins packed into under 10 km, without a single metre of respite, up to a summit overlooking one of the most striking panoramas in the Italian Alps.
A short but relentless climb
From Selva di Cadore, the road climbs 9.9 km for 918 m of elevation gain, averaging 9.3% that barely eases off anywhere — the 29 hairpins follow one another with no real flat stretch to recover on. That consistency, more than the length, is what makes the Giau so feared: there’s no finding a recovery rhythm, unlike longer climbs where the gradient varies more.
The 2,236 m summit looks straight out over the Nuvolau massif and its distinctive rock formations — one of the sights that earns this pass its reputation as the most beautiful in the Dolomites.
Getting the ride right
A compact or triple crankset isn’t negotiable on this unrelenting gradient. The road, narrow in places, stays rideable all day but is best tackled early in the morning during summer, when tourist traffic around Cortina d’Ampezzo is still light.
When to go
June to September, since the road can stay snow-closed until May some years at this altitude. July-August offers the best conditions but also the heaviest crowds, Cortina d’Ampezzo being a major Dolomites tourist destination.
Good to know
Selva di Cadore, a small village at the foot of the pass, has a limited but sufficient choice of accommodation for a stopover, with convenient access to Cortina d’Ampezzo for a fuller Dolomites trip.