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
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Yağdonduran Geçidi?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! Wanna check out a super cool mountain pass in central Turkey? Yağdonduran Geçidi sits way up high at 1,761m (5,777ft) in Sivas Province, and let me tell you, it's a stunner. This route gets its name from the crazy cold you'll find at the top during winter - brrr! The road itself, D850, is completely paved and stretches for 132km (82 miles) from Sivas to Gürün. It’s a north-south run with some seriously steep sections hitting an 8% gradient. Now, heads up: this area gets hammered with snow in the winter, so they built the Yağdonduran Tunnel, which opened in 2023. This tunnel is a game-changer, bypassing the toughest parts of the pass! At 1,567 meters, it’s the longest road tunnel in Sivas - after a railway tunnel. Still, the views along the old road are incredible, so if you're up for an adventure, this is one to add to your list.
hardIs Road F899 Unpaved?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, buckle up for an adventure on Iceland's F899, the Flateyjardalsvegur, snaking along the north coast! This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive – we're talking serious 4x4 territory, so leave the family sedan at home. Think high ground clearance is optional? Think again! You'll be conquering unpaved terrain across the Flateyjarskagi Peninsula, dodging uneven patches, large rocks, deep potholes and ruts. Oh, and did I mention the numerous small river crossings that keep things interesting? Open only during the summer months (late June to early September, give or take), this route serves up breathtaking, remote landscapes. But remember, it's an F-Road for a reason! Besides the bumpy ride, the river crossings can be seriously challenging, with water levels changing fast. So, no tiny Jeeps allowed, and definitely scope out the river depth before you commit! Solo travel? Not the best idea. You'll find minimal traffic, few settlements, and spotty cell service out here. Breakdowns can be a real headache. Driving at night? Even more dangerous! Keep in mind your rental insurance probably won't cover water damage. But if you're prepared for an epic, wild ride, this one's unforgettable!
moderateBoğatepe Geçidi
🇹🇷 Turkey
Alright, adventure seekers, let me tell you about Boğatepe Geçidi, a high-altitude stunner nestled in Turkey's Kars Province! We're talking about a climb that tops out at a cool 2,353 meters (that's 7,719 feet for my imperial system friends). The road, known as D060, is paved, so no need for a monster truck. You'll find it winding between Boğatepe and Çamçavuş. Be warned: this climb is no joke – it's seriously steep! And heads up, winter here means serious storms, so be prepared. If you're not familiar with the road, think twice about tackling it at night or when the visibility is poor. Trust me, you'll want to keep your eyes on this road to enjoy the incredible scenery!
hardLago di Neves
🇮🇹 Italy
Lago di Neves is a stunning high mountain reservoir perched at a breathtaking 1,866 meters (6,122 feet) in South Tyrol, northern Italy. The drive up to this alpine gem is definitely not for the faint of heart – we're talking seriously narrow roads and steep grades that hit 22% in some spots. It's the kind of drive that'll get your adrenaline pumping and your knuckles white on the steering wheel. Fair warning: this route is typically shut down during winter months, so you'll want to plan your visit for May onwards when it reopens. If you're up for a thrilling mountain road adventure with jaw-dropping alpine scenery, this one's absolutely worth adding to your bucket list.