The Giau Pass () (Ladin: Jof de Giau) (el. 2236 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Dolomites in the province of Belluno in Italy. It connects Cortina d'Ampezzo with Colle Santa Lucia and Selva di Cadore.
It is located at the center of a vast mountain pasture at the foot of Nuvolau (2,574 m) and dell'Averau (2,647 m) from which you can reach the Monte Pore (2,405 m). The view from the mountain is west towards Colle Santa Lucia with the Pale di San Martino, Cime D'Auta, Marmolada, Piz Boe and Setsas, north to Ra Gusela, and just to the east towards the valley of Cortina d'Ampezzo, with Tofane, Croda Rossa, Pomagagnon, Cristallo, Croda da Lago, etc.
Accessibility and territory Passo Giau is comprised in the territories of Colle Santa Lucia, San Vito di Cadore, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Selva di Cadore. The road that goes up from Selva di Cadore has 29 tornanti and 3 tunnels for protection against avalanches, while the side towards Cortina is more easily passable. It is an interesting alternative to get to Cortina from Agordino area also because the road of Passo Giau, unlike the Passo Falzarego road is passable by trucks and coaches. However, despite the efforts made over the years, the winter season is often compromised by the avalanches that come down to block the uncovered parts of the road.
Mountain huts Rifugio Passo Giau (2236 m) - Colle Santa Lucia Rirugio Da Aurelio (2175 m) - Colle Santa Lucia Rifugio Fedare (2000 m) - Colle Santa Lucia Malga Giau (1900 m) - San Vito di Cadore
Cycling Maratona dles Dolomites bicycle race Since 1988 the Giau Pass is the sixth and steepest of seven Dolomites mountain passes riders cross in the annual Maratona dles Dolomites single-day bicycle race.
Appearances in Giro d'Italia (since 1953) YearStageCategoryStartFinishLeader at the summitWinner of the stage 1973 19 Cima Coppi Andalo Auronzo di Cadore 1989 14 Misurina Corvara in Badia 1992 13 Bassano del Grappa Corvara in Badia 2007 15 Trento Tre Cime di Lavaredo 2008 15 Arabba Passo Fedaia 2011 15 Cima Coppi Conegliano Gardeccia/Val di Fassa 2012 17 Falzes Cortina d'Ampezzo 2016 14 Alpago (Farra) Corvara 2021 16 Cima Coppi Sacile Cortina d'Ampezzo 2023 19 Longarone Tre Cime di Lavaredo 2026 19 Cima Coppi Feltre Alleghe
See also List of highest paved roads in Europe List of mountain passes