Estrada de Sao Bento: 12% Gradients and Endless Curves — Check Your Brakes!
Portugal, europe
9.1 km
1,653 m
moderate
Year-round
Estrada de São Bento, aka the Loriga Pass, is seriously like Portugal's answer to the Stelvio Pass! You'll find this gem nestled west of Alto de Torre–Serra da Estrela, in the heart of the country.
Named after the nearby peak of São Bento, this winding beauty (part of the N338) opened back in '06 and serves up panoramic views of the Serra da Estrela that will blow your mind. Picture this: smooth pavement, practically no traffic, killer views, and seriously steep climbs. Most people take the Seia–Covilhã road, so you'll practically have this stunner all to yourself.
This road is all about pure driving joy — think smooth curves and fresh mountain air. It's one of the least-traveled routes up the mountains, which makes it even more awesome. Even surrounded by other great roads, the Loriga Pass is where the curves get tight and you just want to drive it over and over again!
Fair warning: this drive is intense. Countless turns and some ramps hit a 12% gradient! You'll see signs reminding you to keep it in low gear and check your brakes. Slow and steady wins the race here, and watch out for those high winds!
This road is only 9.1 km (5.65 miles) from the N231 to the ER399, but in that short distance, you climb 682 meters and end up at a whopping 1,653 m (5,423 ft) above sea level! The average gradient is 7.49%, so get ready for some serious uphill action.
Where is it?
Estrada de Sao Bento: 12% Gradients and Endless Curves — Check Your Brakes! is located in Portugal (europe). Coordinates: 40.4616, -8.2229
Road Details
- Country
- Portugal
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,653 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 40.4616, -8.2229
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