Is Rua da Barreira paved?

Is Rua da Barreira paved?

Portugal, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

783 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: You're in Funchal, Madeira, ready for a wild ride! I'm talking about Rua da Barreira, one of the CRAZIEST steep roads you'll ever encounter. We're talking sections hitting a mind-blowing 45% grade!

The pavement is mostly normal, but hold on tight. There's this one part that's so steep, some cars just can't handle it (thankfully, there's a bypass). Oh, and at one point, the asphalt even turns into cement—talk about a change of scenery!

And the buses? Forget your regular city buses. These are custom 4x4 beasts that look straight out of a cartoon! The road climbs from 710m to 783m above sea level in just 290 meters, so yeah, it's a climb! The gnarliest part? You'll find it between the Barreira 91 and CAM Trapiche Entronca S bus stops. Get ready for an unforgettable, gravity-defying adventure!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Portugal
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
783 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in europe

How to drive the scenic Andoya National Tourist Route in Norway?easy

How to drive the scenic Andoya National Tourist Route in Norway?

🇳🇴 Norway

Andøya National Tourist Route is a seriously stunning drive hugging the west coast of Andøya Island in the Vesterålen archipelago, up in Nordland county, Norway. If you're after one of Norway's most famous scenic drives—and one of the most remote—this is it. Located way up north in the Arctic Circle, this 58km (36 miles) stretch takes you from Bjørnskinn in the south all the way to Andenes at the island's northern tip. The entire route is paved, running along roads 974, 976, and 82, and it's generally open year-round (though winter storms might occasionally close it briefly). Here's the cool part: if you're driving in summer, you'll experience the midnight sun. The road winds through absolutely jaw-dropping scenery shaped by the dramatic Norwegian Sea—think white sandy beaches, craggy mountain peaks, and endless ocean views. You'll likely spot wildlife too: seals, whales, and eagles are regular sightings from your car window. The highest elevation tops out at just 65m, so it's a pretty accessible drive. One heads-up: wind can be intense here, so keep that in mind. The area's dotted with charming small towns where you can grab a place to stay, and in summer months, you can even connect to the National Tourist Route Senja via ferry. The Andøya Air Station sits right next to Andenes if you're curious about that bit of local history. This is remote, wild, and absolutely unforgettable.

Monte San Lorenzoextreme

Monte San Lorenzo

🇪🇸 Spain

# Monte San Lorenzo: Spain's Heart-Pounding Mountain Challenge Perched at 2,137 meters (7,011 feet) in La Rioja's stunning Sierra de la Demanda range, Monte San Lorenzo is calling—but only for the brave. This gravel track starts from the Valdezcaray mountain resort and basically serves as a chairlift access road that'll test every ounce of your driving confidence. Let's be real: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. The road has earned its terrifying reputation fair and square. Vertigo sufferers should absolutely sit this one out—we're talking hundreds of meters of sheer, unguarded drops that'll make your palms sweat. Landslide worries? Yeah, those are legitimate concerns here. The real villain? Unpredictable winter weather. Snowstorms and blizzards can strike out of nowhere, turning an already challenging route into a white-knuckle nightmare. Conditions deteriorate fast in wet or dark weather (and sometimes both), leaving virtually zero room for mistakes. That's why the road gets completely closed from November through March most years—Mother Nature doesn't mess around up here. If you're seriously considering this drive, pick your timing carefully. Summer months offer your best shot, and honestly? Even then, treat it with serious respect. This is pure adrenaline-junkie territory, where one wrong move has real consequences. But for those with genuine skills and nerves of steel, it's an unforgettable Spanish mountain adventure.

Hoz del Huécar Tourist Routemoderate

Hoz del Huécar Tourist Route

🇪🇸 Spain

# Hoz del Huécar Tourist Route If you're looking for a scenic drive that'll make you want to pull over every five minutes for photos, the Hoz del Huécar Tourist Route is calling your name. Located in Cuenca province in the heart of Castile–La Mancha, this well-maintained asphalt road (CUV-9144) connects the stunning UNESCO World Heritage city of Cuenca with the small village of Palomera, hugging the dramatic Huecar river gorge the entire way. At just 8.9 km long, this isn't a marathon drive—it's a perfectly compact adventure. But don't let the short distance fool you. The views are absolutely incredible, with plenty of official and unofficial viewpoints dotted along the route where you can stop and soak in the scenery. Seriously, bring your camera and plan to use it liberally. The drive itself is genuinely enjoyable, winding through canyon walls with one jaw-dropping vista after another. Just keep your eyes sharp for pedestrians and cyclists who might be exploring the area, especially around the viewpoints. This is the kind of road trip that gives you that "I'm so glad I came here" feeling—the kind of drive you'll be talking about for years to come.

Sant AlĂ­shard

Sant AlĂ­s

🇪🇸 Spain

# Sant Alís: A Mountain Adventure in Catalonia If you're craving some serious altitude with a side of adrenaline, Sant Alís has got your name on it. Sitting at 1,676 meters (5,499 feet) in Lleida's Noguera comarca, this high mountain pass sits right on the edge of Catalonia, practically winking at Aragón across the border. Nestled in the Pre-Pyrenees' Serra del Montsec range, this isn't your typical paved highway experience. We're talking unpaved roads that'll test your driving skills—honestly, a 4x4 is pretty much essential here. Fair warning: the road gets genuinely narrow, so passing another vehicle? Yeah, that's basically impossible. You're committing to this route solo for most of it. The climb is long and legitimately steep, winding through dense woodland for much of the way. But here's the payoff: the views are absolutely spectacular. Once you break through the tree line, you'll understand why this summit has become a paragliding, paramotoring, and hangliding mecca. The panoramic vistas from up here are genuinely worth every hairpin turn. The pass typically stays open year-round, though winter can throw occasional closures your way when weather decides to get temperamental. It's a proper adventure route that rewards the bold with unforgettable scenery and serious bragging rights.