Jaufen Pass / Passo di Monte Giovo

The Jaufen Pass can certainly be considered the most beautiful alternative to the common SS12, the rather heavily frequented federal road towards Merano and Bolzano.

Due to its favorable location, Sterzing was considered an important trading city early on. Thanks to its long history, it also has a lot of sights to offer, including a special relic from Roman times: Reifenstein Castle. The 900-year-old fortress was never taken and is one of the most beautiful castles in the whole of South Tyrol. But also a walk through the picturesque pedestrian zone with the famous Zwölferturm as well as numerous shopping and dining options or a visit to the city museum of Sterzing are worth it.

The small municipality of St. Leonhard in Passeier is the hometown of the legendary Tyrolean freedom fighter and national hero Andreas Hofer (1767-1810). The connection to the neighboring Sterzing is formed by the Jaufen Pass, whose 39 km long route meanders through an idyllic landscape of alpine meadows and forests. Directly below the pass summit is a popular mountain inn and motorcycle meeting point, at the top at 2099 m a snack bar and a small inn.

Not only the ban on trucks and vehicles with trailers over 4.5 meters in length between St. Leonhard and Gasteig makes the Jaufen Pass a popular route for many motorcycle fans. The winding mountain pass road with its almost 20 hairpin bends and a maximum gradient of 12 percent has become a preferred route – both scenically and technically, especially in connection with the Timmelsjoch. Another worthwhile stage is the tour over the Penser Joch on the northeast side, which can be combined with the Jaufen and Timmelsjoch to form a beautiful circular tour.

The condition of the rather low-traffic road over the Jaufen Pass is quite good all year round – it is continuously expanded and asphalted – although after the winter months, occasional road subsidence or frost damage can occur, the repair of which can often take a long time. The Jaufen is normally closed over the winter, but if the snow conditions allow, it can be driven during the day. However, a toll is not (yet) required for the route.