When are the Dolomites passes open? Season dates road by road

There are three kinds of Dolomites roads by season. The main passes around the Sella group and Cortina are kept open all winter. A set of high, remote passes closes from autumn to late spring. And a few famous roads are open but restricted in summer. Here is each group.

Passes that close for the winter

Months are the usual season. Exact opening and closing days depend on snow and are announced by the road authority each year; the Stelvio, for example, opened on 22 May in 2026.

Road	Region	Highest point	Season	Verdict
Forcola di Livigno	Lombardy	2315 m	Usually open May to November	Fine with care
Passo del Giovo	South Tyrol	2094 m	Usually open May to November	Fine with care
Passo del Mortirolo	Lombardy	1852 m	Usually open May to November	Confident drivers only
Passo del Pura	Friuli	1428 m	Usually open May to November	Fine with care
Passo delle Erbe	South Tyrol	1987 m	Usually open May to November	Confident drivers only
Passo dello Stelvio	South Tyrol	2757 m	Usually open May to November	Confident drivers only
Passo San Marco	Lombardy	1992 m	Usually open May to November	Fine with care
Passo Valles	Trentino	2032 m	Usually open May to November	Fine with care
San Pietro (Funes) to Würzjoch	South Tyrol	1866 m	Usually open May to November	Confident drivers only
Monte Zoncolan road	Friuli	1750 m	Usually open May to October	Confident drivers only
Passo del Rombo	South Tyrol	2474 m	Usually open June to October	Confident drivers only
Passo del Vivione	Lombardy	1828 m	Usually open June to October	Confident drivers only
Passo di Croce Domini	Lombardy	1892 m	Usually open June to October	Confident drivers only
Passo di Pennes	South Tyrol	2211 m	Usually open June to October	Fine with care
Passo Gavia	Lombardy	2618 m	Usually open June to October	Confident drivers only
Passo Manghen	Trentino	2047 m	Usually open June to October	Confident drivers only
Staller Sattel	South Tyrol	2052 m	Usually open June to October	Confident drivers only
Umbrail Pass	Switzerland	2501 m	Usually open June to October	Confident drivers only

Open all year, but not every day

The Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, Campolongo, Falzarego, Valparola and Giau passes are cleared in winter because the ski areas depend on them. After heavy snowfall they can close for hours, sometimes a day, and chains may be required. Check the provincial traffic sites linked at the bottom of every page before you set off.

Open, but restricted in summer

Lago di Braies road, Tre Cime toll road, Alpe di Siusi road and Prato Piazza road limit cars in high season with closures, bookings or tolls. Details: Lago di Braies, Tre Cime and Seiser Alm by car: closures, bookings and tolls.

Winter equipment

From 15 November to 15 April Italian law requires winter tyres or chains on board. In South Tyrol and Trentino this covers all roads outside built-up areas; in Belluno and Lombardy it applies on signed roads, which in the mountains means most passes. A rental car in winter usually has winter tyres; a summer rental in early April or late November may not, so ask.

Best months to drive

Late June and September are the sweet spot: all passes open, long days, half the August traffic. Early October is beautiful and quiet but the high passes can get their first snow. Event days close some passes completely; see Dolomites pass closures in 2027: bike days, Maratona and the Gardena plan.