Car and Motorcycle Tours Banned on Stelvio Pass and More

The government of South Tyrol has banned car and bike tour groups from the Italian Alps on roads above 1,600 metres. The rules mean that famous mountain passes such as the Stelvio, Furka and Timmelsjoch will be out of bounds for drivers and riders travelling in organised tour parties.

Citing congestion and environmental concerns, the provincial government’s ruling puts a stop on any motorsport events and organised recreational gathering, but crucially, does not stop individuals from accessing the region’s marvellous mountain roads.

The wording of the regulations is a bit vague, so it’s unclear what actually constitutes an ‘organised’ event, but if a small group of friends are driving or riding together then that should still be ok. It’s where enthusiasts have paid a commercial event organiser and are travelling in a larger convoy that is likely to fall foul of the new rules. It’s also worth noting that neighbouring Switzerland and Austria have not taken similar action, so the passes can be still be tackled by groups from a different side.

The Stelvio Pass celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2025 and remains a mecca for drivers and riders, but despite this South Tyrol’s governor Arno Kompatscher says that he is working on “additional, targeted measures” to counter the large volumes of traffic and over-enthusiastic driving that takes place in the mountains. Watch this space…

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