South Tyrol bans organised motoring events above 1,600m: what it means for your trip

What changed

On 19 June 2026 the provincial government of South Tyrol (Alto Adige) banned organised motoring events on roads above 1,600 metres and on roads through protected areas: the Stelvio National Park, the nature parks and the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage area. It took effect straight away.

It applies to cars, motorcycles and even tractors, whatever powers them; electric vehicles get no exemption. The province says the aim is less noise, traffic and pollution on its most sensitive roads, as part of its sustainability and climate plans.

• Named roads include the Stelvio, Timmelsjoch, Jaufen, Gardena, Sella and Karer passes.
• Covered: rallies, hill climbs, regularity runs with checkpoints or scoring, and commercially organised drives or rides run as an event.
• Not covered: private traffic. You can still drive or ride any of these roads on your own or with friends.

The grey area: guided tours

The decision does not define an “organised event” precisely, and that is where the argument is. Reports so far read it as applying where participants pay an organiser to take part, which puts guided motorcycle tours and paid supercar drives in question. Tour operators say a guided tour is a holiday, not a motorsport event. One Dolomites guide told reporters these tours make up 30 to 40 per cent of their summer income.

Italy’s motorcycle federation (FMI) has called the decision an unjustified restriction on freedom of movement. A South Tyrol classic car club, backed by the national historic vehicle association ASI, has said it will go to court. We have not seen a ruling yet.

What it means if you are planning a trip

If you are driving or riding under your own steam, nothing changes. The usual rules still apply: speed limits, noise and seasonal closures.

If you have booked an organised tour that crosses these passes, ask the operator whether its route still uses them, and what happens if the rule is enforced strictly. Some may reroute through the Veneto and Trentino passes outside the province: the Giau, Falzarego and Pordoi are not in South Tyrol, so this rule does not cover them. The Stelvio is split: the famous hairpins on the Trafoi side are in South Tyrol, and the Bormio side is in Lombardy.

• Passo Gardena is heading for a separate booking-style limited traffic zone. There are no physical restrictions in 2026, only a digital test. We cover it in a separate article.
• The Gardena and Sella close to motor traffic for set hours on Sella Ronda Bike Day; the 2026 date was 12 September.
• Just over the border, Austria’s Tyrol keeps its separate ban on motorcycles louder than 95 dB(A) stationary on certain roads in the Reutte and Imst districts, from mid-April to the end of October.

What we will do

We will update this page when the province clarifies what counts as organised, or when a court rules. Our road pages for the affected passes link here. Always check local notices before you travel: in the Alps, rules and closures change at short notice.

Road guides mentioned

• Stelvio Pass · South Tyrol
• Passo Gardena · Dolomites
• Passo Sella · Dolomites
• Timmelsjoch / Passo Rombo · Ötztal Alps