Driving the scenic EM513 Road to Alto de Vaires

Driving the scenic EM513 Road to Alto de Vaires

Portugal, europe

Length

17.4 km

Elevation

1,288 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, so picture this: you're cruising through northern Portugal, Vila Real District to be exact, and you stumble upon Alto de Vaires. This mountain pass climbs to a cool 1,288 meters (4,225 feet), offering some seriously stunning views.

The road itself? Paved and in decent shape, making for a smooth ride. It carves right along the ridge, which means incredible scenery practically the whole way. Just be aware, there are some narrow spots! One of the coolest parts is definitely crossing this super long, slender bridge – photo op alert!

The pass stretches for about 17.4 kilometers (10.81 miles), taking you on a north-south adventure from near the Spanish border (think Calvos, a charming town in Galicia, Spain) all the way to Covelães. Trust me, this is one drive you won't forget!

Where is it?

Driving the scenic EM513 Road to Alto de Vaires is located in Portugal (europe). Coordinates: 39.1220, -8.5838

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Portugal
Continent
europe
Length
17.4 km
Max Elevation
1,288 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
39.1220, -8.5838

Related Roads in europe

Where is Forcola di Livigno?hard

Where is Forcola di Livigno?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, adventure-seekers, buckle up for the Livigno Pass, also known as Forcola di Livigno! This high-altitude gem sits right on the border between Switzerland and Italy, topping out at a cool 7,595 feet. You'll find this beauty nestled in the western Rhaetian Alps, connecting Graubünden in Switzerland with Sondrio in Lombardy, Italy. The fully paved road stretches for about 11.24 miles from Livigno to La Motta. The Italian side is all about those long, straight shots, while the Swiss side throws in some fun twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Word of warning: This pass isn't always open! Usually, it's closed from November to June due to snow. And be ready for some steep climbs; some sections hit a gradient of up to 13%. But trust me, the views are worth it!

Where is Passo San Marco?moderate

Where is Passo San Marco?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: you're carving your way through the Lombardy region of Italy, right on the border between Bergamo and Sondrio provinces. You're heading for Passo San Marco, a seriously scenic mountain pass that tops out at 1,985m (that's 6,512ft!). This isn't some freshly-minted highway; this route has history. Parts of it date back to the late 16th century when it was built to connect Lombardy to the Grisons area. Keep an eye out for Ca San Marco near the summit (1,830m) – it's a cool old building built to shelter travelers way back when. The road itself, Strada Statale 470, is fully paved and stretches for 24.2 km (15.03 miles) from Mezzoldo in the south to Albaredo per San Marco in the north. It's a favorite with cyclists, even appearing in the Giro d'Italia! While it's a good climb, the gradients aren't too crazy, maxing out at 10%. Just remember, heavy trucks aren't allowed, so you can enjoy a (relatively) peaceful drive. Expect stunning views of the Bergamo Alps!

Bellmunthard

Bellmunt

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Bellmunt, a seriously cool peak in Catalonia, Spain! Perched high in the Sub-Pyrenees at 1,246m (that's over 4,000 feet!), you're rewarded with killer views from the sanctuary at the top – think sweeping plains, the mighty Pyrenees, and endless valleys. You've got two choices to get up there. Option one? A paved road (with a few concrete bits) from Sant Pere de Torelló. Don't let "paved" fool you, though! It's a skinny, steep climb, all hairpin turns and adrenaline, stretching for 6.5km with an average gradient of nearly 10%! Option two is the off-road route, a rugged 3.2km gravel track from the GIP-5227. This one's a beast, though – super rocky and bumpy, so you'll definitely need a 4x4 and some serious off-road skills. But hey, either way, those panoramic views are SO worth the challenge!

A drivable track to the summit of Col del Sommeillerhard

A drivable track to the summit of Col del Sommeiller

🇫🇷 France

# Col del Sommeiller Want to tackle one of Europe's most epic high-altitude drives? Meet Col del Sommeiller, sitting pretty at 2,993m (9,819ft) on the French-Italian border in the Alpi Cozie. This isn't just any mountain pass—it's a serious alpine adventure. The journey starts in Bardonecchia, Italy, and climbs 26 kilometers of pure mountain magic. You're rewarded with hairpin after hairpin, stunning alpine dams, and a jaw-dropping turquoise lake waiting for you at the summit. The whole thing gains 1,711 meters with an average grade of 6.5% (though it can hit a gnarly 19% in places). Fair warning: the views are genuinely spectacular, but the road demands respect. Here's the deal with the drive: Only the first 6km is paved—and not even well-paved. The remaining 20km is rocky, unforgiving terrain that'll test your driving skills. You'll want a 4x4 for this one, no question. The surface stays mostly drivable until you hit the final stretch near the summit, where things get pretty gnarly and disconnected. The pass carries some serious history too. It's named after Germain Sommellier, the engineer behind the legendary Fréjus railway tunnel that opened in 1871—and yep, you start your climb right where that tunnel begins. A heads-up: this road is brutally seasonal. Expect it to be completely closed from late October through late June, with snow clearing not happening until late July. Even when it's open, Bardonecchia restricts traffic on Thursdays from July through September to protect the road. This is pure, unfiltered mountain driving. Bring your A-game and a solid vehicle.