Portal do Inferno e Garra: Stay Away if You're Scared of Heights
Portugal, europe
7.5 km
984 m
hard
Year-round
# Portal do Inferno e Garra: A Heart-Pounding Mountain Drive in Portugal
Ever heard of a viewpoint with a name that literally translates to "Hell's Portal"? Yeah, it lives up to the hype.
Perched at 984 meters (3,228 feet) in the heart of Portugal's Gralheira Massif, Portal do Inferno sits right on the border between the Viseu and Aveiro districts. It's nestled in the stunning Arada Mountains in the country's Central Inland region—and trust us, the views are absolutely worth the white-knuckle ride to get there.
The Estrada do Portal do Inferno is a 7.5 km (4.66 miles) stretch of pure adrenaline that connects CM1123 to EM567. While it's fully paved (thank goodness), this road is *not* for the faint of heart. We're talking gradients that hit 11% in some sections, a ribbon-thin width in many spots, and four absolutely brutal hairpin turns that'll have your hands gripping the steering wheel. If you're even slightly squeamish about heights, you'll want to keep your eyes locked on the asphalt ahead.
But here's the thing—those intense grades that make your palms sweat? They're exactly what make this one of Portugal's most dramatic mountain roads. The Serra da Arada unfolds beneath you with each hairpin, creating a drive that's genuinely spectacular. This is the kind of road that adrenaline junkies and seasoned drivers dream about.
Where is it?
Portal do Inferno e Garra: Stay Away if You're Scared of Heights is located in Portugal (europe). Coordinates: 39.2436, -8.9052
Road Details
- Country
- Portugal
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 984 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 39.2436, -8.9052
Related Roads in europe
extremeGC-200: The Ultimate Challenge
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you, the sun on your face, and the open road winding through the Canary Islands. Ready for the drive of your life? First up, the GC-200 on Gran Canaria. This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking 65 km of pure adrenaline from Agaete to La Playa de Mogán, packed with 365 twists and turns hugging the dramatic Parque Natural de Tamadaba coastline. Cliffside views that'll take your breath away – if the road doesn't first! Keep an eye out for closures, though; this beauty can be a beast. Next, Tenerife calls with the TF-21. This 79 km stretch cruises through Teide National Park, offering up some seriously gorgeous scenery. Think winding roads, minimal traffic, and views for days. Perfect for soaking in Tenerife's natural beauty. Feeling like a movie star? Head to the TF-445, the Punta de Teno Lighthouse Road on Tenerife, famous from "Fast and Furious 6". This 9.6 km zig-zag is not for the faint of heart: narrow, steep, and occasionally closed due to weather. Proceed at your own risk, but the history and views are worth it. Want to touch the sky? Take the GC-134. This short 1.4 km climb goes up to Pico de las Nieves, Gran Canaria’s second-highest peak, with a 10% gradient. The panoramic views from the top are your reward for the challenging drive. Fancy a bit of off-roading history? The Carretera de la Playa de Cofete on Fuerteventura is a 10.5 km unpaved road to the secluded Cofete Beach. This road has a history dating back to World War II and Franco. You’ll need a sturdy ride, but you’ll be rewarded with access to a truly unique beach. For solitude and intensity, try the GC-210 on Gran Canaria. This 34 km stretch is known for its, let's say, "intimate" driving experience. Think narrow roads, hairpin turns, lunar landscapes, and very little traffic. Definitely a journey for experienced drivers! Finally, back in Tenerife, there’s the TF-436. This 22 km zigzag road packs a punch. It's paved, but don't let that fool you: it's narrow, twisty, and steep (up to 16%!). Take it slow, and enjoy the breathtaking views of Tenerife's diverse scenery.
hardBuvette 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.
extremeWhere is Col de Lagues?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, road-trippers! Col de Lagues, nestled in the Haute-Garonne department of France, is calling your name! We're talking about a sweet 4,619 feet above sea level, right in the heart of the Occitania region in southern France. Word on the street is the views from the top are killer. Now, let's be real - this ain't your average Sunday drive. The road gets seriously narrow, like "hold your breath when two cars try to pass" narrow. You'll be switching between smooth pavement (on the north side) and a more rugged, unpaved surface as you head south. Clocking in at just over 9 miles, this isn't an all-day affair, but it's enough to get your heart pumping and camera clicking. This road is a true hidden gem for those craving a bit of adventure and breathtaking scenery!
extremeHow to Get to Tsoy-Pede in Chechnya by Car?
🌍 Russia
# Tsoy-Pede: Journey to Chechnya's Haunting "City of the Dead" If you're hunting for one of Russia's most remote and mysterious destinations, Tsoy-Pede in the Chechen Republic is calling your name. Nestled in the Itum-Kale District near the Argun River, this medieval necropolis earned its spine-tingling nickname—the "City of the Dead"—for good reason. With 42 burial grounds dating back to the 13th-15th centuries, each packed with multiple tombs, it's one of the largest medieval cemeteries in the entire Caucasus region. The exact origins remain delightfully mysterious. Legend has it these grounds were sacred to fallen warriors, though another haunting theory suggests the necropolis grew during an epidemic so devastating that the dying came here to spend their final days. Today, a watchtower, ancient walls, and countless crypts stand as eerie reminders of centuries past. **What to Expect on the Road** The adventure kicks off from the E50 highway and stretches 93.7 kilometers (about 58 miles) of pure Caucasian drama. The dirt road is surprisingly well-maintained—you can cruise at 40-50 km/h without too much trouble, especially near Shatoy and Itum-Kale where the surface improves. But here's where it gets real: the Argun Gorge is absolutely breathtaking and absolutely terrifying. Picture towering cliffs, razor-thin roads with zero guardrails, and drop-offs that'll make your heart skip. A haunting memorial marks where two Russian soldiers plunged off the edge decades ago while transporting military payroll—a grim reminder that this route demands respect and caution. **Before You Go** You'll need a special permit to visit, and Russian tourists must enter during daylight hours with a valid passport at the checkpoint. The region sits under strict military control near the Russia-Georgia border, so come prepared and informed.