Driving the Scenic EM-509 Road in Serra da Estrela
Portugal, europe
13.9 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Estrada Municipal 509 (EM-509) in Portugal's Castelo Branco district! This isn't just a drive; it's a sensory experience through the Serra da Estrela mountains, practically hugging the border with Guarda District.
Stretching almost 14 kilometers from Unhais da Serra to the Nava de Santo António Plateau, prepare for views that'll leave you speechless. Think extinct glacial valleys and panoramic mountain vistas—pure magic!
Now, a heads-up: while most of this route was paved back in the late '90s, there's a roughly 1.8-kilometer stretch along the canal that's still rocking its original, unpaved, and narrow charm. Locals are pushing for improvements to boost tourism, and paving is on the horizon, but for now, keep your wits about you! The road, designed by Alfredo Marques dos Santos, is a great way to see the mountains.
Where is it?
Driving the Scenic EM-509 Road in Serra da Estrela is located in Portugal (europe). Coordinates: 38.7621, -8.5194
Road Details
- Country
- Portugal
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.9 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 38.7621, -8.5194
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