Where is Covas do Monte?
Portugal, europe
3.8 km
536 m
hard
Year-round
Covas do Monte, a cute little Portuguese village, sits pretty at 536m (1,758ft) above sea level in the São Pedro do Sul municipality.
Want to find it on a map? Head to the Viseu District, nestled in Portugal's Central Inland region.
Now, about getting there... The road up to Covas do Monte, tucked away in the Serra da Gralheira mountains, is an adventure in itself! Think unpaved surfaces, seriously steep climbs, and sections that might make you pucker up they're so narrow. You'll peak at 554m (1,817ft).
The climb kicks off from the M559-1 road and stretches for 3.8km (2.36 miles). In that short distance, you'll gain a hefty 241 meters in elevation. Expect an average gradient of 6.34%, but be ready for bursts of up to 10%! The views? Totally worth it.
Road Details
- Country
- Portugal
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 536 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Qafa e Morinës?
🇦🇱 Albania
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Qafa e Morinës, a mountain pass chilling right on the Albania-Kosovo border. Picture this: you're winding your way up to 563 meters (that's 1,847 feet!) in the Albanian mountains. This isn't some backwater track either; it's the real deal, connecting the Gjakova District in Kosovo with the Kukës County in Albania. Think of it as the ultimate shortcut between Ponoshec (Kosovo) and Bajram Curri (Albania) and your ticket to the Gjakova Highlands. The road itself? Totally paved, baby! Just hop on M9-1 in Kosovo, which magically morphs into SH-22 once you cross into Albania. The whole shebang stretches for a cool 18.2 kilometers (or 11.30 miles for my imperial friends). So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for some epic border-crossing views!
moderateTake the Scenic Route and Discover Madari Peak
🌍 Cyprus
Okay, adventure-seekers, let’s talk Madari Peak! Nestled high up in the Nicosia District of Cyprus, this beauty clocks in at a cool 1,577m (5,173ft). The road up, Madari Peak Rt, is mostly paved, taking you right into the heart of Cyprus' gorgeous Troodos Mountains. The last 800m? That's where things get interesting! Expect a narrow, steep, and uneven dirt track that winds its way through some seriously stunning scenery – totally worth it, though! Heads up – snow can be a factor in winter. Once you reach the top (after conquering some seriously steep sections with gradients hitting 19%!), you'll find a fire lookout and radio tower. The climb starts from the E931 road and stretches for 3.0 km (1.86 miles), gaining 239 meters in elevation. That’s an average gradient of almost 8% – not for the faint of heart!
moderateThe wild road to Picon del Fraile in northern Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
# Picón del Fraile: A Thrilling Alpine Challenge in Northern Spain Ready for a serious mountain adventure? Picón del Fraile is a stunning 1,590m (5,216ft) peak sitting right on the border between Cantabria and Castile and León in Spain's north. It's nestled within the gorgeous Collados del Asón Natural Park, deep in the scenic Soba Valley. The summit's crowned by a military radar station (EVA 12) that's been keeping watch since 1997—pretty cool to see up close if you make it that far! The road up, nicknamed Las Motas, is fully paved, but don't let that fool you. It's a gnarly, twisting climb with some seriously steep pitches hitting 17% gradient. Starting from Portillo de Lunada on the BU-572 road, you're looking at a 4.5 km (2.79 miles) push uphill with 308 meters of elevation gain and an average 6.84% gradient. Fair warning: the final stretch is off-limits to regular vehicles—only official traffic gets through. Here's where it gets real: the weather up here is absolutely brutal and wildly unpredictable. Back in February 2013, the road became completely impassable for over a month straight, buried under snow walls exceeding 20 meters. Helicopters were the only way to resupply the base. So pick your timing carefully and respect Mother Nature—she's not messing around on this mountain.
moderateWhere is Hoya de la Mora?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in Andalusia, Spain, cruising through the Sierra Nevada Park, heading for Hoya de la Mora. This spot sits way up high at 2,550 meters (that's 8,366 feet!), so you know the views are going to be epic. The road is called A395, and it's paved the whole way, making it a smooth ride to the top. Once you get there, you'll find a military refuge, plus a bunch of places to grab food and drinks, and plenty of parking. The stretch from Collado de las Sabinas (on the A-4025) to Hoya de la Mora is just over 5 kilometers (about 3 miles), but don't let the short distance fool you. It's a climb! You'll gain 340 meters in elevation, with an average gradient of 6.66%. Get ready for some serious scenery as you make your way up!