Penser Joch Pass
The Penser Joch in South Tyrol connects the Eisacktal Valley with the Sarntal Valley. In summer, motorcyclists, racing cyclists and car drivers can enjoy fantastic views on the pass road between Sterzing and Bozen, while hikers and mountain bikers can explore the Sarntal Alps. The pass is closed in winter.
With a bright blue sky, the view from the Penser Joch is a dream.
Tourismusgenossenschaft Sterzing Pfitsch FreienfeldFacts and figures about the Penser Joch & the SS 508 road
- The Penser Joch Pass lies at an altitude of 2,211 metres.
- It connects the Eisacktal Valley with the Sarntal Valley.
- In winter, the SS 508 road between Egg and Pens is closed.
- Between Sterzing and Pens, there is a driving ban on the SS 508 for vehicles over 12 metres in length, with the exception of buses.
- No toll is payable for the Penser Joch Pass.
- The SS 508 is just under 64 kilometres long.
- The northern part of the SS 508 is called “Penser-Joch-Straße” in German, the southern part “Sarner Straße” or “Sarntaler Staatsstraße”.
The mountain landscape around the Penser Joch is particularly beautiful in autumn.
Unsplash | Sebastian MarxFun around bends on a motorbike or racing bike
With many hairpin bends and a maximum gradient of 13%, the Penser Joch Pass is particularly popular with motorcyclists – either as a stand-alone tour or in combination with the Jaufen Pass or other passes in South Tyrol. For well-trained road bikers, the pass road over the Penser Joch is an exciting challenge with sweeping views. Great: on the car- and motorbike-free Penser Joch Bike Day in September, cyclists have the SS 508 between Egg and Pens all to themselves.
The route over the Penser Joch offers sweeping views of lush green Alpine meadows and imposing peaks and leads past charming mountain villages such as Egg (municipality of Freienfeld) or Pens (municipality of Sarntal).
The mountain landscape of the Sarntal Alps on the Penser Joch offers a variety of hiking tours.
Tourismusgenossenschaft Sterzing Pfitsch FreienfeldMountain paradise Sarntal Alps
The western ridge and the eastern ridge of the Sarntal Alps meet at the Penser Joch Pass. A highlight for hikers is the multi-day “Hufeisen” (horseshoe) tour, but the Sarntal Alps also offer other beautiful hiking and mountain bike tours and refreshment stops. The inn at the top of the pass offers culinary refreshments as well as rooms for overnight stays.
The comparison between the two cities of Sterzing and Bozen is exciting: while Sterzing is the northernmost city in Italy and one of the highest cities in the Alps, Bozen, the capital of South Tyrol, offers a charming Alpine-Mediterranean mix. Both cities are well worth a visit.