Estrada de Sao Bento: 12% Gradients and Endless Curves — Check Your Brakes!
Estrada de São Bento is a high mountain road located in the Guarda District of Portugal. It’s known as the Portuguese Stelvio Pass.
Where is Estrada de São Bento?
The road, also known as Loriga Pass, is located to the west of Alto de Torre–Serra da Estrela, in the central part of the country.
Why is it called Estrada de São Bento?
It’s named after São Bento, a nearby peak.
Is Estrada de São Bento paved?
The road, part of the N338, was opened to traffic on October 19th, 2016. It provides great panoramic views of Serra da Estrela. It’s fully paved and is a lonely road with stunning views and strong ramps. Most people use the Seia–Covilhã road instead.
How’s driving the Estrada de São Bento?
Loriga Pass is that kind of road — perfect in pavement and geometry — that allows us to fully enjoy driving and simply savor the pleasure of smooth curves in the breeze. As one of the least-traveled access routes to the mountains, it is also a route of excellence where traffic is virtually nonexistent. Even when surrounded by sensational roads, whether coming from Alvoco da Serra or the depths of the Aldeias do Xisto in the Açor range, it’s here that the curves become tighter over a short distance and make us want to go up and down. Then go up and down again, endlessly, shouting wooww inside the helmet.
How steep is Estrada de São Bento?
It’s a very demanding drive, with countless turns, and very steep, hitting a maximum gradient of 12% on some ramps. Due to its difficulty, along the road there are many traffic signs with warnings like Keep in low gear or Check your brakes. Slow driving is recommended according to the safety signals. The area also features high winds.
How long is Estrada de São Bento?
The road is 9.1 km (5.65 miles) long and runs west-east from the N231 to the ER399. It ends at an elevation of 1,653 m (5,423 ft) above sea level. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 682 m, and the average gradient is 7.49%.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez