Passo Di Giau
Passo Di Giau
4.5
About
The Giau Pass (Italian: Passo di Giau) (ladin lenguage: Jof de Giau) (el. 2236 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Dolomites in the province of Belluno in Italy. It connects Cortina d'Ampezzo and Colle Santa Lucia. It is located at the center of a vast mountain pasture at the foot of Nuvolau (2,574 m) and dell'Averau (2,647 m) from which you can easily reach the Monte Pore (2,405 m). Impressive is the view west towards Colle Santa Lucia with the Pale di San Martino, Cime D'Auta, Marmolada, Piz Boe and Setsass, just to the east towards the valley of Cortina d'Ampezzo, with Tofane, Croda Rossa, Pomagagnon, Cristallo, Croda da Lago, etc ...
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Passo Di Giau and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 5 kms
Attractions
179 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
736 reviews
Excellent
581
Very good
129
Average
13
Poor
7
Terrible
6
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Raoul Rongen
Sittard, The Netherlands1,273 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We entered the road from cortina D’Ampezzo. Signs are clear so you can’t miss it. You don’t have to pay to drive this road. It has beautiful curves and how higher you get the more beautiful the view is. Several places to stop, biggest of course on the highest point of the road. There is also a rifugio and you can start some walks from there. As said, beautiful views and green surrounding, especially nice when clouds go around the mountains. Next to the alp cows there are also wild horses. We drove the other side down and there is a rifugio that has more appearance, fabulous food and good wines. Quite expensive though but was worth it (Da Aurelio).
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fi_decorso
Milan, Italy68,747 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
It is one of the wonders that nature offers us every year when we come to Val Fiorentina to spend the September holidays. It is an important pass for the road, all right, but it is of such beauty that it represents much more a destination than a "passage". Indescribable the panorama around the horizon, where listing all the visible peaks would take hours.
Must see, if you had not understood.
(*visited 9 September 2024*)
NB – For the moment I do not attach the related photographs, still persisting the malfunctions in their upload.
Must see, if you had not understood.
(*visited 9 September 2024*)
NB – For the moment I do not attach the related photographs, still persisting the malfunctions in their upload.
Automatically translated
Written September 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explore with Sehajpal
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy91 contributions
Nov 2020 • Family
A wonderful place to absolutely visit in the Dolomites. Passo Giau is one of the most beautiful passes in the Dolomites. We visited in the fall (November 8, 2020). Beautiful autumn colors and cloudless blue sky. There is also a restaurant but we found it closed. Recommended place also with family. From here many paths start like the one up to five towers, squirrels and path up to lake Corda. There was a lot of snow too. An extraordinary experience.
Written November 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fi_decorso
Milan, Italy68,747 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We couldn't help but return to what for us is the most beautiful pass in all the Dolomites (and beyond). Seen and reviewed from every angle, this year we admired it in all its beauty and vastness even from the top of Monte Pore.
Fascinating and unforgettable place to absolutely visit.
Given the persistence of the dysfunctions during the loading phase, for the moment I am not attaching the photos relating to the review.
(*accessed 6 September 2023*)
Fascinating and unforgettable place to absolutely visit.
Given the persistence of the dysfunctions during the loading phase, for the moment I am not attaching the photos relating to the review.
(*accessed 6 September 2023*)
Written September 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seattlefoodie75
Seattle, WA8 contributions
Stop into the tourism office to get a hiking map with all of the marked trails. Take the short bus ride from downtown Cortina to Passo Giau. You can take different paths depending on your desired level of diffculty. We took the 436 to 434 which takes you on a beautiful hike that is easy/ moderate in diffuculty and roughly 4-6 hours. The 434 trail will end about 1km from the town of Pocol where it's easy to catch a bus back to Cortina. You'll be amazed at the beauty of the surrounding Dolomites, the vegetation and wildlife. The weather can change quickly in the mountains, so be sure to choose a clear day. You will not be dissappointed!
Written August 14, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KemikOjstra
Maribor, Slovenia1,776 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
As I drove all Passo Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, Falzarego and Giau in one day, I can say that Passo Giau is for sure the toughest, most interesting and with the greatest incline from these mentioned Dolomites passes. Road is as wide as on the other passes (so a car can without problems meet bus in the middle of the pass) but it is longer as the other passes (from Pocol it says it is 11 km long to the top) and incline is greater so it is also tougher for cyclists. Views on the top are spectacular (you can see them on my pictures) and in some ways you can see Cortina d'Ampezzo on one side. At the beginning of the pass near Pocol you can also see Cinque Torri in the best way.
In Pocol (which is like 10 minutes ride from Cortina d'Ampezzo or even less) it is crossing between Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego. So if you do Passo Giau, make sure that you can also do at least Passo Falzarego next in the same day where views on the Lagazuoi (which is reachable with the cable car from the top of the Passo Falzarego or by foot) are one of the best in the Dolomites (comparable with those at Tre Cime di Lavaredo). The best time to do it is on a sunny day, although it can also be done great on the cloudy day if only clouds don't cover the mountains and destroy this great panorama. For a weather there are many informations on internet or on panorama channels on TV. Pass Giau and other passes in surroundings (with the exception of the panorama pass to Tre Cime which is payable) are free to use and opened all day long, it is different only in winter when there is much of snow there. I think that the best visit on the Dolomite passes are in summer and on sunny days, although if you just want ride and you are not there to view panorama, it can be done without problems anytime in a year. Good luck to all, good drive and enjoy the Dolomites, the Alpine heaven and paradise.
In Pocol (which is like 10 minutes ride from Cortina d'Ampezzo or even less) it is crossing between Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego. So if you do Passo Giau, make sure that you can also do at least Passo Falzarego next in the same day where views on the Lagazuoi (which is reachable with the cable car from the top of the Passo Falzarego or by foot) are one of the best in the Dolomites (comparable with those at Tre Cime di Lavaredo). The best time to do it is on a sunny day, although it can also be done great on the cloudy day if only clouds don't cover the mountains and destroy this great panorama. For a weather there are many informations on internet or on panorama channels on TV. Pass Giau and other passes in surroundings (with the exception of the panorama pass to Tre Cime which is payable) are free to use and opened all day long, it is different only in winter when there is much of snow there. I think that the best visit on the Dolomite passes are in summer and on sunny days, although if you just want ride and you are not there to view panorama, it can be done without problems anytime in a year. Good luck to all, good drive and enjoy the Dolomites, the Alpine heaven and paradise.
Written July 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suwatss
Bangkok, Thailand5,663 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
This Giua pass is one of the most stunning views in Dolomite. Its 360 angle view with a majestic Dolomite range as background and a sharp rises of the mountains with alpine forest is just amazing to witness. Come in fall and you will even be amazed with the fall foliage color.
Written October 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert V
Tucson, AZ173 contributions
May 2015
Holly COW! This is a great drive; beautiful road conditions, and a challenging mountain road with gobstopping views at pretty much every turn. The Dolomites serve up more "prettty" per mile than almost anyplace in Europe. This was a stunning afternoon drive. You won't regret it.
Written October 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chinaclipper1
Lakewood, Colorado58 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
This is one of several passes in the area. Some have World War I trench lines, barbed wire and old artillery pieces from Austrian/Italian fighting.
Written May 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elina R
San Francisco, CA23 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
We stayed 1 night while walking Alta Via 1 route. Great rifugio with lots of character, quality rooms, unbeatable views/location. We also loved the restaurant, sumptuous dinner and service. Overall we visited and stayed in 6 rifugios while walking the route, and Passso Giau was the best. Would love to come again!
Written July 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Il passo è fattibile agevolmente in auto anche in questi giorni ? O è rischioso con la neve? Grazie
Written January 29, 2020
Non saprei
Sono molto efficienti, quindi presumo che fanno di tutto per lasciare libero e pulito da neve e ghiaccio.
Buon viaggio
Written February 1, 2020
buon giorno per il primo di maggio vorrei andare al passo di Giau e vorrei chiedere se qualcuno e andato in questo periodo e se ce ancora tanta neve e se magari ha scattato qualche foto di questo periodo ringrazio per le vostre risposte e augurio una buona giornata
Written April 26, 2018
we are planning to visit the Dolomites towards the end of September this year. We are driving from Munich and I was thinking of staying a night in a place in a valley and then head off into the mountains to stay either in one rifugio for two nights or walk from one rifugio to another. We would love some challenge, especially experiencing the history in the mountains. Also happy to use a cable car to gain height- not a must. Ideally we would not walk any more than 15km maximum a day (i suppose depends a little on terrain). Do we need to be worried about the weather, eg sudden snow fall? Open to any suggestions! Thanks in advance for your help. I just don't really know where to start...
Written April 8, 2018
Our experience was excellent, there are so many nice places around there !
They have more than 100 slopes and there are many places to stay over the mountains.
We went to a restaurant so fantastic in passo giau that has hotel also and for 70 euros a night with breakfast.
Is the most amazing place I ever been.
Is you and the mountains !!!!
In september must be amazing ! I went in winter...
Written May 28, 2018
We are visiting Cortina in September and the Passo Giau sounds like a must. Can you hike the Passo Giau from Cortina? What is the distance round-trip?
Written April 25, 2017
30 mins by car from cortina so probably will be couple of hours on foot. You will be on a road anyway if you prefer to walk it but road isn't busy. Better to drive to passo giau where there is a hotel/restaurant where you can park and start your hike with the amazing view!
Written April 25, 2017
I will be staying near Belluno and Zoppe di Cadore. I am a landscape photographer but will be limited to a day and one night(if there are clear skies for astrophotography) I don't have the money or equipment for skiing and my rental car has chains but no snow tires. My questions are:
Where are the best spots from the road to view the Dolomites?
Which roads might be closed late February?
Are there any favorable but short hikes where I can view the really spectacular peaks? Such as Monte Cristallo, Tre Cime, etc?
Also what cable cars/gondola lifts are open in winter that I can ride back down?
Written February 17, 2017
Hi, I am visiting Cortina next weekend and I only have 4 hours. Is this place reacheable by public transport? Do you have any suggestion on the dolomites that is reacheable by public transport from Cortina?
Written October 24, 2016
I am planing to travel to Cortina D'Ampezzo in the beginning of Mach. I am wonder if anyone can advice me with some tips where to hike it this time of the year.. I will be in Cortina D'Ampezzo for 3 days.
Thanks in advance.
Written October 17, 2016
Hi,
You can't go past Francesco who guided me on a Via Ferrata near Cortina. Fantastic guy, well organised, has all the gear, drove us around and took care to ensure the adventure was suited to our skills.
You want to check out the alpine valdi zoldo area.
Have a great time. It is a beautiful part of the world.
Written October 21, 2016
Ciao a tutti, io sono nuovo e sto esplorando cortina e dintorni un po alla volta, sett. scorsa abbiamo fatto il sorapis e ora vorremmo fare il giau.
Da dove parte il sentiero? fin dove arrivo con la macchina? grazie
Written September 7, 2016
al passo Giau si arriva in auto da Cortina senza difficoltà. Da lì camminate a piedi di media difficoltà e di straordinaria bellezza, ben segnalate, sia verso il rifugio Averau sia verso il Farzarego, passando per il rifugio Scoiattoli (circa 2 hh ciascuna)
Written September 7, 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 15
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing