Few driving experiences rival cruising Europe’s soaring alpine roads in a high-performance supercar. In recent years, Stelvio Pass has stolen the spotlight, once hailed as the greatest driving road in the world by the Top Gear team. (In fact, it was the Davos to Stelvio leg of the journey that was hailed as ‘the best’, despite a common misconception.)
Yet while Stelvio has its charm, many other passes across Italy, France, Switzerland, and Germany deserve their time to shine. Read on as we highlight Europe’s most mesmerising mountain roads.
Image: HunterMoss
Stelvio is iconic, but is it really ‘the greatest driving road’?
Make no mistake, Stelvio Pass is an extraordinary drive and rightly ranks among the best alpine passes on the planet.
In recent years, the road has enjoyed a lot of attention, and it’s little wonder drivers flock there. Set in Italy’s majestic Ortler Alps, Stelvio Pass is the highest paved road in the Eastern Alps, featuring 48 hairpin turns spread over a surprisingly compact 38-kilometre stretch. But does it truly deserve its reputation as the greatest driving road?
Image: HunterMoss
What makes an alpine road ‘the best’?
Several factors must be considered when defining a road as ‘the best’. First and foremost, we believe the best alpine passes must offer an unforgettable driving experience. This means blending good road quality with opportunities for exhilaration, balancing fast sweeping sections with technical turns that demand both precision and courage.
Additionally, the backdrop must be something special, offering views that inspire. Similarly, the road must benefit from a degree of cultural significance, whether that’s an appearance on screen or motorsport heritage.
Stelvio Pass clearly succeeds in terms of its cultural cachet and scenic value, but falls a little short when it comes to the actual driving. Unsurprisingly, its global fame brings heavy traffic and, coupled with tight turns and narrow roads, navigating this pass can sometimes feel slightly slow and awkward, taking a little of the sheen off the experience.
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Our picks for the best lesser-known mountain roads in Europe
With Stelvio’s title as the best alpine road up for debate, we present a selection of our favourite lesser-known roads that could also be considered among Europe’s finest.
Col de la Bonette, France: The highest paved road in Europe
Set in the Mercantour National Park in Provence, Col de la Bonette is one of the most famous alpine roads, which is thanks in part to being the highest paved road on the continent. The pass itself climbs to 2,715 metres, while a loop around the Cime de la Bonette extends the road to 2,802 metres. The ascent is a joy for drivers, with smooth tarmac and flowing technical turns, while reaching the summit rewards you with breathtaking panoramas across neighbouring summits and the Italian Alps on a clear day.
Furka Pass, Switzerland: An icon of the big screen
In terms of cultural significance, it’s difficult to look beyond Furka Pass. Found on the journey from Gletsch to Andermatt, this Swiss gem featured in the 1964 classic Goldfinger, in which James Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 races a Ford Mustang along Furka’s twisty curves. At 2,429 metres, Furka is one of the highest Swiss alpine roads, and boasts roomy hairpin bends and stunning views of the Rhône Glacier.
Flüela Pass, Switzerland: The legendary Davos detour
Another alpine road that could stake a claim as the best Swiss mountain pass is Flüela – another favourite of the Top Gear team. Connecting the Engadin Valley with the Prättigau region, Flüela Pass winds through wild valleys and dense coniferous forest. While the route itself is remote, it rewards you with expansive alpine views, with the charming Lake Davos waiting for you at the end of the descent.
German Alpine Road (Deutsche Alpenstrasse): A winding journey through fairytale Bavaria
The Deutsche Alpenstraße (German Alpine Road) is not a single mountain pass, but a collection of German alpine roads that combine to deliver a memorable 450 km (280 mile) journey through the Bavarian Alps. Meandering through this famous alpine region, the Deutsche Alpenstraße offers consistently epic scenery, including rugged mountains, sparkling lakes and fairytale castles – including the mythical Neuschwanstein – making for a memorable road trip.
Gavia Pass, Italy: A narrow road with a big payoff
If you’re looking for grand Italian mountain roads, don’t overlook Stelvio’s rugged neighbour Gavia in the region of Lombardy. At around 20 km away, Gavia Pass is a staple climb of the famed Giro d’Italia. It’s notorious for being narrow and intimidating, with sheer drops and just a handful of barriers. Yet the payoff is worth the nerves, with dramatic views of rugged peaks and more serenity than Stelvio.
Susten Pass, Switzerland: The perfect pass for the Instagram age
Linking the village of Wassen with Innertkirchen, the Susten Pass features 45 km (28 miles) of exhilarating driving and endless photo opportunities – it’s among the most Instagrammable alpine roads on the planet. This is thanks to 26 picture-perfect bridges and tunnels, including the Gadmen tunnel, carved under a cascading waterfall. Susten is also a popular test road for car manufacturers, including Porsche, which has used the pass to film promotional videos. It’s become a firm favourite of guests on our Swiss Alps luxury driving tour.
Bernina Pass, Switzerland: Connecting the Swiss and Italian Alps
The Bernina Pass is a dream to drive and a must for any European driving tour as it forms the high Swiss section of the epic route from St. Moritz to Tirano in Italy. At 2,328 metres, Bernina offers high-quality tarmac and flowing hairpins that are a joy to experience. Dramatic alpine scenery frames every bend, while you may catch a glimpse of the postcard-perfect Bernina Express train winding along the same alpine curves.
Klausen Pass, Switzerland: An early-season gem
While giant Swiss passes such as Furka and Susten are locked off for the winter, the ‘petite’ Klausen opens earlier in the season – often May. At 1,948 meters, it’s one of the lower alpine roads but equally one of the more interesting to drive, with a nice mix of flowing curves, tight bends and a cobblestoned section at the start. Despite its lower altitude, Klausen is also incredibly scenic. Running between Altdorf (Uri) and Linthal (Glarus), you can expect lush green meadows, dramatic cliffs and picturesque alpine farms with grazing cattle.
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Explore Europe’s magical alpine regions with HunterMoss
Want to try Stelvio for yourself? Our luxury tour of Northern Italy allows you to drive our fleet of stunning supercars and journey along Stelvio, Flüela and Bernina, plus many more of Europe’s most remarkable alpine roads. Each day is elevated by five-star hotels and world-class hospitality, for a truly unforgettable holiday.
You can learn more about this experience or any of our bucket-list driving tours by speaking to our friendly travel concierge team today.
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