Sella Ronda by car: the four-pass loop, direction and timing

The Sella Ronda is the loop around the Sella massif over four passes, connecting Val Badia, Arabba, Val di Fassa and Val Gardena. It is about 55 km and roughly two hours of driving without stops; with photo stops and a coffee at the top, plan half a day.

Road	Highest point	Width	Difficulty	Verdict
Passo Campolongo	1875 m	Wide, two lanes	2/5	Easy drive
Passo Pordoi	2239 m	Wide, two lanes	3/5	Fine with care
Passo Sella	2240 m	Two lanes, narrow	3/5	Fine with care
Passo Gardena	2121 m	Two lanes, narrow	3/5	Fine with care

Which way round

Both directions work. Counter-clockwise from Corvara you take Passo Campolongo first (the easiest), then Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella and finally Passo Gardena back to Corvara. That puts the two narrower passes at the end, when you are used to the hairpins. Clockwise you get the Gardena and Sella early, while the roads are still quiet. If you start before 9:00, go clockwise; if you start later, counter-clockwise.

Where to start

Any of the four valley towns works: Corvara, Arabba, Canazei or Selva. Parking at the passes themselves is limited and paid in summer.

When to go

Best: weekdays in June, September and early October, before 9:00.
Worst: August weekends, 10:00 to 16:00, when cyclists, motorbikes and coaches all share the hairpins.
Never: on Sellaronda Bike Day. In 2027 that is 5 June and 11 September, when all four passes are closed to motor traffic from 9:00 to 16:00. On 4 July 2027 the Maratona dles Dolomites closes them too. Full list: Dolomites pass closures in 2027: bike days, Maratona and the Gardena plan.

Will it need a booking?

Not in 2026. The province is running a digital test on the Gardena Pass from September 2026, and a restriction of car traffic from mid-May to mid-October 2027 is being discussed, possibly also for the Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo. Nothing is decided yet; we will update this page and the road pages when it is.

Is it hard?

None of the four is extreme. The Sella and Gardena are narrow two-lane roads with many hairpins; the Pordoi is wider; the Campolongo is gentle. In a normal car on a dry day it is fine for most drivers. In a large motorhome, do it early, or see The Dolomites by camper or with a caravan: banned roads, limits and rules.

Ready-made routes over the group: Corvara → Ortisei and Canazei → Cortina d'Ampezzo.