SS12 Via Giardini & Abetone Pass, Emilia-Romagna · Tuscany

Roads · Mountain pass · Italy

SS12 Via Giardini & Abetone Pass

The old road south out of Maranello that Enzo Ferrari used to test his cars, climbing through Pavullo nel Frignano to the Abetone Pass and down towards Pistoia.
Photo and licence
Length59 miles95 km
Driving timeAbout 2 hr 25 minwithout stops
OpenMay to Novusually
RoadTwo-lanemoderate
Low carsFine with care
MotorcyclesGreat
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Before you go

Enzo Ferrari tested his cars on the old Via Giardini as far as the La Noce restaurant at Montagnana before turning back to the factory. The surface is rough in places on the final climb, and Abetone at the top is a good coffee stop.

Which way round

South from Maranello. It is steady as far as Pavullo, then gets better the higher you climb, with the tightest bends in the forest just over the Abetone.

Watch Ben Collins, the former Stig, drives the Ferrari 296 GTB on the mountain roads above Maranello Ben Collins Drives · YouTube

When it’s open

Usually open May to Nov. Opening depends on the snow, so check the status before you go.

The route

  1. Maranello (Ferrari)
  2. Montagnana, Via Giardini
  3. Pavullo nel Frignano
  4. Passo dell’Abetone
  5. San Marcello Pistoiese

Driven it recently? Roadworks, a new surface, a closure we should know about? Tell us and we’ll update this page.