SS12 - Abetone Pass

One of the very best roads in Italy, used by Ferrari test drivers on regular basis

Passo dell'Abetone (or Abetone Pass) is one of the most exciting roads in Italy. Starting from Maranello in the north, it goes south uphill towards Tuscany and the village of Abetone.

A testament to the quality and excitement of this road is in the fact that Enzo Ferrari himself has used this stretch of mountainside asphalt to test new models before going into full production. This tradition has stayed over the years, and even nowadays it is not uncommon to find Ferrari mule cars going up and down the pass.

There is no mystery here. The road is amazingly fun to drive. For the first part it is quite simple - however after the village of Pavullo you will start to understand the praise. It is a perfect mix of fast and flowing, and twisty and technical. There is no shortage of excitement here by any means.

The further up the mountain you go towards Abetone - the better it becomes. At the very top you will enter the village of Abetone. The pass itself is quite long, so it is good to stop for a coffee here, before continuing down towards Pistoia. Immediately after leaving Abetone, you will drive through a forest straight out of Lord of the Rings, with a healthy amount of serpentine corners.

Once you're out of the magical woods, the valley opens up a bit, providing yet more faster sections, before you reach the Arno river valley overlooking Florence. This magnificent mountain pass is perfectly suited for any supercar - they will all give you a different, but equally dynamic driving experience.

Beware, the asphalt quality varies a lot on the road. It can go from perfect to bumpy very fast, especially up hill the last part to the peak.

Nearby

Hotel Armonia

A cozy hotel in the centre of Pontedera in Tuscany.

Museo Pagani

Horacio Pagani's monument to his own glory.

Museo Piaggio

It was here, in 1946, that the Vespa was invented.

Ferrari Factory gate

Ferrari's famous old factory gate

Villa Giorgia

A great restaurant at the bottom of the Abetone Pass

Ristorante Montana

The famous restaurant in Fiorano near Maranello

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