The Transfăgărăşan (trans (over, across) + Făgăraş) or DN7C is the highest (~2200m) and most dramatic paved road in Romania. Built as a strategic military route by Nicolae Ceauşescu, the 110 km of twists and turns run North to South across the tallest sections of the Carpathian Mountains, between the highest peak in the country, Moldoveanu, and the second highest, Negoiu. The road connects the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia, and the cities of Sibiu and Piteşti.
Fantastic scenery, and the highest pass in Austria. Open May to November. Can be busy - so probably best to avoid at weekends. Very popular with bikers, but cars too. You need a head for heights and have to like hairpins too. Some nice fast stretches too. Very few hazards except the road itself: the 29 hairpin bends. Visibility is good though, and there are hardly any side roads. Jusat watch out for people gawping at the scenery. 360 views from the Edelweissspitze - stop for food and a beer there as well. It is a toll road though. Euro 17 for a day/ Euro 30 for a 30 day pass. Their stated aim is to be the most biker friendly pass in the Alps! More info here www.grossglockner.at
The legendary Stelvio pass, an unbelievable selection of switchbacks on the Italian side of the Swiss border that has to be seen to be believed. It's almost always very busy and so is hard to get a clear run, but this is definitely a 'must do' for all bikers at least once.
Beautiful section of road, we found it by chance, fast flowing, would've been better on a sports bike!
Not a very well-known pass but its a beauty. Great tarmac and good visibilty make this pass to one where you can really open the trottle if you get the chance. In the beginning it is pretty straight forward but pretty fast after the Italian border the sharp turns and switchbacks build up rapidly. When descending into Italy, you will arrive at a T-junction. If you want to be thrilled beyond believe go left (i.e. the direction which is forbidden for trucks and campers). You will find a steep descend into various blind corners in and out of tunnels on a narrow road. Not for the faint-hearted or mountain-newbies, but a challenge for the advanced riders.
When arriving in Chiavenna, follow the SS37 back into Switzerland to the Maloja-pass and Julier-pass: both open and insanely fast.