Is the road to Alto de Vaires paved?
Portugal, europe
17.4 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Alto de Vaires, a mountain pass nestled in Portugal's Vila Real District. You're cruising along a fully paved road, snaking through the northern part of the country. Trust me, the views are insane! We're talking ridge-top driving at its finest.
Just a heads up, things can get a little tight in spots, and there's this one seriously cool, narrow, long bridge that's a total highlight. The whole shebang runs for about 17.4 km (10.81 miles), heading north-south from the Spanish border near Calvos all the way to Covelães. Oh, and keep an eye out for Poço do Inferno Waterfall nearby – totally worth a detour!
Road Details
- Country
- Portugal
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17.4 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateTravel Guide to Qafa e Qarrit
🇦🇱 Albania
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You absolutely HAVE to experience Qafa e Qarrit in southeastern Albania's Korçë County. This mountain pass climbs to a cool 1,169 meters (3,835 feet) and the views? Totally worth the white knuckles. The road, SH75, is paved, so that's a plus, but get ready for some seriously twisty turns! Think hairpin heaven (or hell, depending on your driving skills!). The pass stretches for about 24.7 kilometers (15.34 miles), connecting the villages of Mollaj and Mollas, both in Korçë County. Word to the wise: it's generally open year-round, but winter can throw a curveball with temporary closures if the weather gets gnarly. So keep an eye on the forecast and prepare for an epic drive through some stunning Albanian scenery!
hardCerro de Los Murciélagos
🇪🇸 Spain
Cerro de Los Murciélagos is a mountain peak at an elevation of 982m (3,221ft) above the sea level, located in southern Spain, in southwest of the province of Cordoba, in Andalusia. Located within the Natural Park of the Sierras Subbéticas, the road to the summit is asphalted but narrow. It’s called CV-247. It’s a beautiful road set in the mountains of Andalusia. The road ends on a parking lot that offers stunning views. The road is pretty steep. Starting from the village of Zuheros (on the CV-178 road), the ascent is 4.1 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 312 meters. The average gradient is 7.60%. At the summit there’s a cave, known as Cueva de Los Murciélagos, with ibex and Neolithic human remains and representative Palaeolithic paintings of horses, bears and deer. The cave is named after the murciélagos (bats) that inhabit it. The caves were discovered in 1868 but they were not studied until 1938. Morra del Buitre: A Rugged 2,000m Journey in Sierra de Castril Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extreme1. Peaks and Passes: The Snake Pass (A57)
🇬🇧 England
Alright, buckle up, road trippers! The UK's got some seriously stunning drives, from the wild North to the sunny South West. These aren't just scenic routes; they're a chance to test your skills and soak up some classic British beauty. Make sure your ride's ready – tires and brakes are key for those steep hills! **1. Snake Pass (A57): Peak District Thrills** Starting near Manchester, the Snake Pass is a legendary mountain road that cuts right through the Peak District National Park. Expect tricky turns, crazy weather changes, and views for days. It's a raw, unforgettable drive... but watch out, it's often the first to close when the snow flies. Pro tip: detour to Blue John Cavern for some cool underground geology. **2. Dragon's Spine: Welsh Wonders** Want a taste of Wales? This coast-to-coast route starts in Cardiff and takes you through the South Wales Coalfield, into the Brecon Beacons, and then up into the epic mountains of Snowdonia. Think narrow roads, steep drops, and loads of rain – stay focused! **3. Atlantic Highway (A39): Devon & Cornwall Coasting** Cruising from Devon to Cornwall? The Atlantic Highway is a must! While the Barnstaple-to-Newquay stretch boasts amazing sea views, the real challenge is Porlock Hill. This beast has a 25% gradient – the steepest A-road in the UK! Give your brakes and cooling system some love as you tackle those Exmoor cliffs. **4. Yorkshire's High Ground: Moors Adventures** Escape to the North York Moors National Park for forests, streams, and a serious dose of rural charm. The route from Helmsley to Staithes is a masterclass in countryside driving. Be warned: the moors are exposed, so expect wind and fog. Plenty of B&Bs if you want to make it a multi-day trip! **5. Cumbrian Loops: Lake District Delights** Head into "Wordsworth Country" from Kendal, and you'll find some of England's prettiest *and* trickiest roads. The drive north toward Windermere is gorgeous, but the real action's on passes like Kirkstone and Hardknott. Hairpin bends, crazy gradients – driving enthusiasts flock here. Hit it up in the shoulder seasons to beat the tourist crowds. **Bottom Line** The UK's iconic roads are full of surprises. Get your car prepped, keep an eye on the weather, and get ready for an adventure! Whether you're chasing history or conquering hills, the British road network is a classroom on wheels.
moderateKystriksveien Coastal Road is one of the 101 World’s most Scenic Routes
🇳🇴 Norway
# Kystriksveien: Norway's Ultimate Coastal Road Trip Ready for one of the world's most stunning drives? Kystriksveien—Norwegian County Road 17—stretches 630 kilometres along Norway's Nordland coastline, connecting Steinkjer in Trøndelag to Bodø in the north. You'll literally cross the Arctic Circle on this adventure, and National Geographic ranked it among the 101 most scenic routes on the planet for good reason. This winding, narrow (but fully paved) coastal highway is totally doable in a single day if you're in a rush—most drivers knock it out in 7-10 hours. But honestly? Don't do that. Set aside 4-5 days minimum. You'll need it to properly soak in the experience, especially since the route includes at least six ferry crossings (ranging from 10 minutes to an hour each). The islands themselves are worth exploring too. What makes Kystriksveien so special is the sheer variety packed into one drive. You've got charming fishing villages, pristine white sandy beaches, dramatic mountain peaks, and some seriously jaw-dropping fjords carved deep by ancient glaciers—some stretching over 200 kilometres inland. Along the way, you'll spot famous landmarks like Torghatten mountain, the Seven Sisters range, Svartisen glacier, and Saltstraumen, home to the world's most powerful whirlpools. With roughly 12,000 islands dotting the coast, there's endless exploring to be done. The traffic is light most of the time, though weekends and peak holiday season get busier. Gas stations and grocery stores are conveniently scattered along the route. One fun fact: this road was built by 144,000 prisoners during the 1940s. Pro tip—check the weather forecast before you go. This drive is genuinely magical in good conditions, so timing matters.