Crossing Vado del Río Eljas

Crossing Vado del Río Eljas

Portugal, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

52 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: straddling the border between Spain and Portugal, you'll find the Vado del Río Eljas. It's less a bridge and more of a concrete ribbon, just over 170 feet long, draped across the Erges/Eljas River. Now, this isn't your average smooth highway; it's seen some serious floods in its time. Adding to the thrill, there are *zero* guardrails separating you from the drop. Oh, and did I mention it's so narrow that only one car can cross at a time? It's all part of the adventure on this international crossing!

Where is it?

Crossing Vado del Río Eljas is located in Portugal (europe). Coordinates: 39.1372, -8.3210

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Portugal
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
52 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
39.1372, -8.3210

Related Roads in europe

Sella di Leonessahard

Sella di Leonessa

🇮🇹 Italy

# Sella di Leonessa Buckle up for a thrilling ride to Sella di Leonessa, a stunning mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,890 meters (6,200 feet) in Italy's Central Apennines. You'll tackle this beast via SP 10, a winding road that climbs toward Monte Terminillo with serious ambition. Fair warning: this route is strictly a summer adventure. Expect it to be completely impassable from November through May, so plan accordingly. The road doesn't hold back—hairpin turns keep you on your toes, and some sections hit a brutal 12.2% gradient that'll make your calves (and brakes) work for it. Pro tip: this pass is legendary enough that the Giro d'Italia has featured it, so you'll be cycling (or driving) in some pretty famous tire tracks. The real magic? Connecting two charming spots: the provincial capital of Rieti—supposedly smack in the geographic center of Italy—with the picturesque mountain village of Leonessa nestled on the northern slopes of the Monti Reatini. It's a quintessential Central Italian experience with switchbacks, stunning alpine scenery, and the kind of challenging drive that makes for great stories back home.

Ruta de los Tres Valles is a Spanish road with 1313 curveseasy

Ruta de los Tres Valles is a Spanish road with 1313 curves

🇪🇸 Spain

Get ready for an epic Spanish road trip! Ruta de los Tres Valles, nestled in the gorgeous La Rioja region (wine country!), is a wild ride you won't forget. Starting near Logroño, this paved beauty stretches for 189 km (117 miles) through stunning scenery. Think charming villages, hidden chapels, panoramic viewpoints, and of course, vineyards galore! You'll want to set aside 4-5 hours *just* for the drive, but trust me, you'll want to stop! This route winds through 29 towns, tracing the Najerilla, Iregua, and Leza rivers. It's a climb, too, peaking at Puerto de La Rasa (1,389m / 4,557ft) and Puerto de Montenegro (1,592m / 5,223ft). Good news for motorcyclists: keep an eye out for special signage with tips for navigating the curves! The route is basically split into three stages, each with its own character and charm: * **Stage 1:** Alesón to Viniegra de Arriba (77km / 47 miles) — buckle up for 652 turns! * **Stage 2:** Entrena to Almarza de Cameros (72km / 44 miles) — 397 turns await. * **Stage 3:** Muro en Cameros to Lardero (53 km / 32 miles) — a "mere" 386 turns to wrap things up. Get ready for some serious hairpin action on this unforgettable road!

How to travel Strada della Cucca to Pianella Pass?extreme

How to travel Strada della Cucca to Pianella Pass?

🇮🇹 Italy

# Passo Pianella: A High-Alpine Adventure in Italy's Venetian Prealps Nestled at 1,365 meters (4,478 feet) in the Vicenza province of northern Italy's Veneto region, Passo Pianella sits pretty in the Venetian Prealps. This isn't your typical cruise-friendly mountain pass—the road here, known as Strada della Cucca, is mostly unpaved dirt that'll test your legs more than your steering wheel. Here's the thing: this old military route connecting Crosara di Arsiero to Passo Coe is currently off-limits to cars, which means it's hikers and mountain bikers who get to claim bragging rights here. And honestly? That's probably for the best. This narrow, winding trail features some seriously heart-pounding drop-offs and throws in a few gnarly one-lane tunnels just to keep things interesting. The Tunnel Pianessa stands out as particularly memorable—the kind of passage that'll make you take a deep breath before diving in. If you're up for a genuine alpine challenge where dramatic scenery meets genuine adventure, Passo Pianella delivers the goods. Just leave the car behind and come ready to earn those views.

A paved road to Aramon Valdelinares Ski Resortmoderate

A paved road to Aramon Valdelinares Ski Resort

🇪🇸 Spain

# Road to Aramón Valdelinares If you're hunting for one of Spain's most rewarding mountain drives, head to the Teruel province in Aragon, where you'll find the Aramón Valdelinares ski resort nestled at a breathtaking 1,975m (6,479ft) elevation. This place is seriously tucked away in the Sierra de Gúdar—a dramatic, rugged mountain range that's part of the Iberian System—and the road climbing up to it has become downright legendary. Why the fame? The route's been featured as a stage finish in the Vuelta a España, the prestigious professional cycling race. Professional cyclists racing here tell you everything you need to know about what you're getting into. As you climb, you're surrounded by dense black pine forests and limestone peaks that create this raw, almost otherworldly high-mountain vibe. The whole experience screams "Siberia of Spain," especially during those brutally cold, dry winters when snow blankets everything. The 9.1 km (5.65 miles) ascent from the TE-V-3 road (just north of Valdelinares, Spain's highest town) is fully paved and well-maintained. The average gradient is a modest 2.85%, but don't let that fool you—the road throws rolling sections at you followed by punchy 9% ramps, particularly as you near the ski station. You'll need proper gear management and active driving, especially toward the end. Year-round access is guaranteed since it serves a major ski resort, with maintenance crews constantly battling snow and ice during winter. That said, blizzards can shut things down temporarily. Black ice lurks in shaded forest sections, so winter driving demands respect. Chains or winter tires are mandatory from roughly November through March—conditions at 2,000 meters can flip in minutes. Beyond the technical challenge, the drive is genuinely beautiful. Wide panoramic views stretch across the Teruel highlands and deep valleys of the Gúdar range. Outside ski season, the road feels wonderfully serene with minimal traffic. Whether you're chasing the ghost of cycling legends or just craving a peaceful high-altitude escape, this paved climb ranks among the most satisfying in the entire Iberian System.