A road to Torre-Serra da Estrela, the highest point of Mainland Portugal

Alto de Torre is a high mountain plateau at 1.996m (6,548ft) above the sea level located on the boundary of Guarda and Castelo Branco districts. At this elevation it’s the highest point of Mainland Portugal. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Can you drive to Torre-Serra da Estrela?

Set high in the Serra da Estrela mountain range, the road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called Regional Road 339 (R 339). The summit is the second most elevated point of the country (only Mount Pico, in the Azores, is higher). King John the 6th ordered the construction of a stone monument at the summit. In the centre of a roundabout is situated the symbolic monument of the “Torre” (Tower). The views are spectacular and on a bright day, you can see the Atlantic Ocean over 100mi (161km) in the distance.

How long is the road to Torre-Serra da Estrela?

Tucked away in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, on the northeastern part of the country, the road is 50 km (31 miles) long, starting at Seia to Covilhã. The summit hosts two radar domes, a chapel, stores and a restaurant. The road is very steep, hitting a 10.4% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps.

Is Torre-Serra da Estrela open?

Access to the summit is typically open all year round, with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. The lowest temperatures of Portugal are recorded on the summit. In cold weather, Serra da Estrela is the only place in Portugal where you can try ski.