How Long is N308-1 Road?

How Long is N308-1 Road?

Portugal, europe

Length

19.5 km

Elevation

822 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

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!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Portugal
Continent
europe
Length
19.5 km
Max Elevation
822 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Driving the steep D308 to Col de la Ramaz: The challenge of Tunnel de Sommandextreme

Driving the steep D308 to Col de la Ramaz: The challenge of Tunnel de Sommand

🇫🇷 France

# Col de la Ramaz: Alpine Drama Meets World-Class Views Perched at 1,619m (5,311ft) in the Haute-Savoie region of France, Col de la Ramaz is the kind of mountain pass that gets your adrenaline pumping before you even start driving. This isn't just any Alpine crossing—it's a Tour de France legend that connects the Giffre valley to the Praz de Lys ski area, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. The real magic (and challenge) happens on the 14 km ascent from Mieussy, where you'll tackle some seriously steep gradients pushing 10-12% as you approach the notorious Tunnel de Sommand. This isn't a gentle cruise—your cooling system and brakes are going to earn their keep, especially if you're piloting a campervan or towing anything substantial. Now, the Tunnel de Sommand is where things get properly intense. Built to bypass a sketchy section of road literally hanging off a limestone cliff, this narrow, dimly-lit passage is the definition of a "balcony road." Even with modern improvements, it remains genuinely thrilling—damp pavement in summer, minimal visibility, and heart-stopping glimpses of the drop through rock openings. Add cyclists (tons of them) into the mix, and you've got a section demanding 100% focus. After you punch through the tunnel, the landscape opens up beautifully onto the Sommand plateau. It's your moment to breathe before the final push to the 1,619m summit, where the reward is absolutely worth it: Mont Blanc and its snow-capped peaks dominate the horizon on clear days. It's genuinely stunning. The full 23 km route runs west to east and eventually feeds into the D902—part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes. Just remember: descending back toward Mieussy requires serious brake discipline. Use your engine to control speed on those continuous steep sections and tight turns, or you'll risk overheating your brakes spectacularly. Best driving windows? Late May through October. Winter closures due to snow and storms are common, so timing matters. It's a road that perfectly blends Alpine beauty with technical driving that demands respect.

Where is Kireçli Geçidi?hard

Where is Kireçli Geçidi?

🇹🇷 Turkey

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising around Erzurum Province in Turkey and crave a serious mountain thrill, you NEED to check out Kireçli Geçidi. Nestled way up in the Eastern Anatolia region, this pass climbs to a whopping 2,420 meters (that's 7,939 feet!). The road stretches for 42.1 kilometers (about 26 miles) from Tortum to Narman, and while it's paved, don't think it's a simple Sunday drive. We're talking seriously steep sections maxing out at a 12% gradient, hairpin turns galore, and the occasional risk of rock slides to keep you on your toes. This isn’t for the faint of heart, but the views? Absolutely worth it. Just be aware that snow can shut this road down without warning, so plan accordingly. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!

Buvette d'Arollahard

Buvette d'Arolla

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Buvette d'Arolla: A Summer Alpine Adventure Nestled high in the Swiss Alps at a breathtaking 2,879 meters (9,445 feet), Buvette d'Arolla sits as one of Switzerland's most impressive mountain restaurants. Located in Valais's Pennine Alps, this place is seriously not for the faint of heart. Getting there? It's an adventure in itself. The route is a chairlift access trail that doubles as a ski-station service road—think rocky, loose gravel, and steep grades that can hit 30% in places. The upper sections get even gnarlier, with the terrain becoming increasingly rocky and relentless. This is legitimately one of the country's highest roads, which tells you something about what you're in for. Here's the catch: you've got a *really* narrow window to tackle this. We're talking end of August as your golden opportunity. The rest of the year? Forget about it. Even during summer's supposed "best" weather, snow can catch you off guard. Winter temperatures are brutally cold, and the wind? It's relentless year-round, with particularly fierce gusts at altitude. The payoff, though, is standing atop one of the Alps' most extreme accessible peaks. If you're an experienced driver with serious mountain credentials and you're visiting in late summer, this is the kind of road that becomes an unforgettable story. Just come prepared for anything.

Where is Col de Puymorens?moderate

Where is Col de Puymorens?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, buckle up, because Col de Puymorens is calling your name! Nestled high in the French Pyrénées-Orientales at a cool 1,920 meters (that's 6,299 feet!), this mountain pass is a must-do for any road trip aficionado. You'll find it in the Occitania region, practically spitting distance from the Spanish border and the sparkling Mediterranean. The N320, the smooth paved road to the top, winds its way for 10.7 kilometers (or 6.64 miles for my American friends) between the N20 and N22. Be warned, though - it's a popular route, even for the big rigs! Expect some huffing and puffing with gradients reaching up to 7.7% in places. Cycling fans might recognize it from the Tour de France! This beauty is usually open year-round, but hey, it's the Pyrenees! Winter can bring some gnarly weather and temporary closures, so keep an eye on the forecast. A tunnel was built way back in '94 to help bypass it, but where's the fun in that? Get ready for some serious mountain views!