GENERAL FACTS 

Country: Italy

Start / Finnish: Meran/Sterzing

Total Distance: 38 kilometers

Highest point:  2094 m

Open end-to-end: all year

Road condition: paved, good.

LOCATION 

Passo di Monte Giovo is a high mountain pass located in the Alps in the South Tyrol in Italy. The pass is traversed by the Strada Statale 44.

DESCRIPTION

The road over the Passo di Monte Giovo (also known as Jaufenpass) connects the Eisacktal valley in the east with the Passeiertal valley in the west. It is the northerners pass in the Alps that is completely in Italy. The road includes serpentines all the way up. Starting point in the east is the village Sterzing, end point of that pass road is Saint Leonhard. Starting that tour in Sterzing the pass road winds itself through green meadows and some smaller forests up. The road itself is very narrow with lots of curves. After you have reached the timber line, the view opens up and you have a beautiful picture down into the Eisacktal valley.

The Eisacktal valley spans from the Brennero pass down to Bolzano, where it flows into the Etschtal valley of Merano. The valley is a main traffic artery, and not only the Eisack river takes this way, but the entire traffic across the Brennero pass and all the small side valleys, the railroad track, the highway and the motorway. This area contains a few historical buildings such as the Wolfsthurn Castle in Mareit. South Tyrol's only Baroque castle provides unique insight into the lifestyle of the nobility during the Baroque period. Visitors can expect to find wonderful original features here: a splendid inner courtyard with fountains, a Baroque ballroom with extraordinary crystal chandeliers, a hunting room with fantastical decorated walls and much more.

The pass road is very winding, with many switchbacks. On the pass summit, you will find some kind of log cabin with small food service and souvenir sale. There are 2 routes to reach the summit. Starting from San Leonardo in Passiria, the ascent is 19.9 km long. And starting from Casateia - Vipiteno, the ascent is 15 km long.

TIPS FOR TRAVEL

• You should visit Vipiteno. Enjoy the leisure mountain Rosskopf, which is two passes away from the center. A vast leisure activities offer is going to guarantee a diversified holiday. You will find a golf course, a high rope garden, mountain carts and more. Enjoy the medieval cultural side and gothic churches.
• We also recommend visiting the Wolfsthurn Castle.
• If you worry about souvenirs don’t! The Jaufen Pass welcomes you with a gift cabin right on its course.