How to cross the international Vado del Río Eljas
Vado del Río Eljas is an international low-water bridge located on the border of Spain and Portugal. Linking the province of Cáceres (Spain) and the Centro region (Portugal), this 52.31-meter concrete passage is a critical crossing point between the villages of Valverde del Fresno and Monfortinho. It is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
| Road facts: Vado del Río Eljas | |
|---|---|
| Location | Spain-Portugal border (Cáceres-Centro) |
| Length | 52.31 m (171.63 ft) |
| Surface | Concrete |
| Hazards | Flooding, narrowness, no guardrails |
Where is the Vado del Río Eljas?
The bridge crosses the Eljas River (also known as Erjas and Erges in Portuguese), which marks the international border. It is tucked away in the remote hills of the Sierra de Gata. The track is narrow and serves as a shortcut, avoiding a much longer detour through the main road crossings.
Is the Vado del Río Eljas paved?
The surface consists of a single slab of concrete. The passage is extremely narrow, leaving less than three meters of usable width, making it impassable for two cars at the same time. There are no guardrails or safety barriers; the tires sit just centimeters away from the river water.
How dangerous is the Vado del Río Eljas?
The main hazard is the river flow. Being a low-water crossing, the concrete deck is designed to be submerged during heavy rains. Several floods have damaged the structure in the past. If the water level reaches the concrete, the current can easily push a vehicle off the bridge. You must check the river conditions before crossing, as backtracking involves a detour of more than 30 kilometers to reach the nearest bridge.