How Long is N308-1 Road?
Portugal, europe
19.5 km
822 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along in northern Portugal, near the Spanish border in the Braga district. Get ready to tackle the N308-1, a seriously scenic and twisty road that's just begging to be explored!
This baby's about 19.5km (12.11 miles) of pure driving pleasure, winding its way from Portela do Homem, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 822m above sea level right on the Spain-Portugal border, all the way down to Rio Caldo, a cute little town nestled at 161m.
Now, it's paved, so no worries there, but be warned: it gets narrow in places, and you'll be navigating 18 hairpin turns! But trust me, it's worth it for the views. We're talking breathtaking vistas from natural viewpoints dotted along the route. And keep your eyes peeled for stunning waterfalls like Cascata de Leonte and Cascata da Portela do Homem. Just a heads up, there are some steep bits too, so get ready for a bit of a climb!
Road Details
- Country
- Portugal
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 19.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 822 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
easyRoads of Albacete: 8 spectacular drives through the heart of Castilla-La Mancha
🇪🇸 Spain
# Hidden Gems: Eight Epic Drives Through Albacete's Mountains Tucked away in southeastern Spain, Albacete is one of those places that surprises you. Sure, the center's all flat plains, but venture south into the Sierra de Alcaraz and Sierra del Segura? That's where the magic happens. We're talking dramatic gorges, twisting river canyons, and limestone cliffs that'll make your jaw drop. Best part? You can actually *drive* these roads without battling tourist crowds. This region is basically a dream for road-trippers. The routes weave through thick forests and follow the curves of the Mundo and Segura rivers like they were made for each other. Ready to explore? Here are eight routes that absolutely deserve a spot on your bucket list. **LiĂ©tor to CM-3203 Junction** (13.2 km / 8.20 miles) This one's pure driving bliss. The road plunges toward Rio Mundo through a series of knee-knocking hairpins and sharp curves. Fair warning: there's minimal guardrailing on many sections, with some seriously steep drops hugging those shrub-covered slopes. You'll need to stay sharp, but the rush is totally worth it. **The "Swiss of La Mancha"** (12.9 km / 8.01 miles) Starting near the CM-3216 junction, this stretch takes you through the jaw-dropping village of Ayna, clinging to a canyon's edge. The real showstoppers? The Mirador del Diablo and Mirador del Infierno viewpoints—just steps from the pavement—offering vertigo-inducing views of those towering limestone walls. **CM-3203 to AB-515 (Towards Alcaraz)** (24.7 km / 15.34 miles) This is what a perfect mountain road looks like. Fully paved, well-maintained, and beautifully rhythmic as it carves through high plateau terrain. Pure flow, pure joy. **A-24 and A-4 to Peñascosa** (17.1 km / 10.62 miles) Want to escape the world? This secluded drive into the Sierra de Alcaraz delivers exactly that—just you, the silence, and endless landscapes stretching to the horizon. **CM-412: N-322 Junction to Fuente Higuera** (47.6 km / 29.57 miles) One of the longer routes on this list, this is essential for exploring southern Albacete. You'll get everything—open stretches, forested sections, the works. **Access to Los Chorros del RĂo Mundo** (7.5 km / 4.66 miles) Short but unforgettable. This road leads to one of Spain's most spectacular natural attractions, winding through dense, lush forest that feels more like the north than central Spain. Totally transportive. **Molinicos to CM-3206** (13.4 km / 8.32 miles) If you're after soul rather than adrenaline, this "vista" road delivers. The dense forest and peaceful valley views are perfect for slowing down and just soaking it in. **Route Towards Yeste** (14.0 km / 8.69 miles) This one's full of surprises—a spectacular bridge crossing Rio Tus and a series of tunnels carved straight into the rock. It's mountain engineering at its finest, hugging the river through the gorge beautifully.
moderateA great paved road to Col de la Faucille in the Jura Mountains
🇫🇷 France
Col de la Faucille is a legendary mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,323m (4,341ft) in the Ain department of France, just north of Geneva near the Swiss border. This fully paved beauty—known as RN5-D1005—stretches an impressive 48.4km (30 miles) from the charming town of Gex up to Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux, taking you through the stunning Jura Mountains. What makes this pass special? It's been a Tour de France favorite since 1951, and for good reason. The road winds through countless curves with a handful of thrilling hairpin turns that'll keep you alert and entertained. It's a cyclist's dream and a gear-head's playground, drawing enthusiasts from all over. Fair warning though: traffic can be pretty heavy here, especially on weekdays when trucks treat this route like their personal shortcut to Dijon. If you want a more relaxed drive with better scenery appreciation, aim for weekends. The mountain scenery is absolutely worth the trip whenever you decide to tackle it—it's one of the Jura's most celebrated climbs for a reason.
hardPuntal de la Buitrera
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you find yourself in Andalusia, Spain, and you're craving a wild ride, point your 4x4 towards Puntal de la Buitrera. This peak punches way up to 1,664 meters (that's 5,459 feet!) in the Natural Park Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and the Villas. Now, don't expect a smooth ride to the top. We're talking gravel, rocks, bumps, and a whole lotta steep. You'll definitely be earning those views. And what views they are! Once you conquer the climb and reach the summit (marked by a communication tower), be prepared for some serious wind. It's pretty much a constant here, so hold onto your hats! But trust me, the combination of challenging terrain and breathtaking scenery makes this a trip you won't soon forget.
moderateAn iconic road to Simplon Pass in the Swiss Alps
🇨🇠Switzerland
# Simplon Pass: A Swiss Alpine Classic Simplon Pass sits pretty at 2,005m (6,578ft) elevation in Switzerland's Valais canton, nestled between the Pennine and Lepontine Alps near the Italian border. It's one of those legendary Alpine routes that every road-tripper should experience at least once. The fully paved Route 9 (part of European Route 62) stretches 42.2 km from Brig down to the Italian border, and honestly, it's got some serious history behind it. Way back, this pass was the domain of smugglers and mercenaries, but things got official when Napoleon decided he needed a proper road to move his cannons into Italy. Construction kicked off in 1800 and wrapped up five years later—pretty impressive for the era. Fast-forward to the 1970s and 80s, and they added protective galleries and bridges to make it even safer. The drive itself is a masterpiece of mountain engineering. Yeah, you'll hit some steep sections (up to 10.7% gradient), but the road was built to follow the mountain's natural contours rather than bulldoze straight up it. That means gorgeous curves that reward you with stunning views—frozen peaks on the Swiss side, lush valleys with trees on the Italian side. In summer, cafés and restaurants dot the route, perfect for pit stops. You can usually access this pass year-round, though winter weather sometimes forces temporary closures. Traffic's lighter than you'd expect, and the road's wide enough to keep things comfortable. Don't miss the Ganter Bridge, which arcs 150 meters above the valley floor, or the Simplon Hospice, a 19th-century heritage site worth exploring. Pro tip: keep your camera fully charged—the views here are absolutely worth documenting.