Südtirol: Driving Ban at Grödner Pass for Tourists in 2027

March 25, 2026 Lucas Fernandez – World Editor World

The Grödner Joch, a mountain pass in the Italian Dolomites, will be closed to tourist traffic beginning in the summer of 2027, a decision reached by local municipalities in Südtirol (South Tyrol) to address severe congestion and protect the alpine ecosystem. The move, announced on March 25, 2026, will restrict access to non-residents between May and October.

During peak season, up to 11,000 vehicles daily traverse the Grödner Joch, connecting the Grödental and Gadertal valleys. Local officials say this volume of traffic strains both the natural environment and the patience of residents, according to reporting from Il Dolomiti.

The plan, developed by a technical working group, will allow access only to residents of the two valleys, individuals with verifiable work-related needs – such as tradespeople or wholesalers – and guests staying at hotels along the route. All other visitors will need to secure an online reservation for one of 150 paid parking spaces. Those unable to find a space face detours of up to 100 kilometers via the Pustertal valley, or a 42-kilometer route through Sellajoch and Pordoi.

The Alpenverein Südtirol (AVS), the region’s alpine club, has welcomed the decision. “For us as an alpine association, this is a historic moment,” AVS President Georg Simeoni told stol.it. The organization believes a car-free Grödner Joch will enhance recreational opportunities for all.

The measure is not the only attempt to manage tourism in the region. Some Südtiroler communities have recently doubled their visitor’s tax, according to reports.

The plan requires approval from the Südtiroler Landesregierung (South Tyrol Regional Government) before it can be implemented. To mitigate the impact of the restrictions, the province intends to increase public transportation frequency along the route to a schedule of every 15 to 20 minutes, according to the Italian broadcaster Rai. Standard South Tyrolean public transport fares will apply to cable cars connecting the valleys to the pass.