Torre – Serra da Estrela
From Covilhã · 24.3 km · 6.5 % average
Photo: Photo: Jelger Groeneveld · CC BY 2.0
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- Start
- Covilhã
- Summit
- 1,993 m
- Distance
- 24.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,585 m
- Average gradient
- 6.5 %
- Maximum gradient
- Not reliably sourced
- Difficulty
- Extreme (FIETS 11.3)
The climb at a glance
Schematic A straight line at the average gradient – the real road is steeper in places and easier in others.
- Mainland Portugal's highest point is at 1,993 m (Wikipedia, citing the army's cartography bureau).
In the footsteps of the pros
No Grand Tour history recorded in our sources yet. [PLACEHOLDER] Regional races and events – to research
How long might it take?
| Sustained power | ≈ Time |
|---|---|
| 2.5 W/kg | 2 h 13 |
| 3.5 W/kg | 1 h 38 |
| 4.5 W/kg | 1 h 19 |
Estimate Physics model at constant power on a constant 6.5 % gradient: rider 75 kg, bike and kit 9 kg, rolling resistance 0.005, CdA 0.4 m², air density 1.1 kg/m³, 3 % drivetrain loss; W/kg relative to rider weight; no wind, no stops. Real times vary – this is not a standard.
Best season
Nearest destination climate: prime May–Sep (Guarda (IPMA), 1991–2020 normals). High-mountain road: typically a summer and early-autumn climb – check pass opening before you travel.
Weather & altitude
Summit at 1,993 m: expect it to be much colder than in the valley – roughly 6–7 °C per 1,000 m in typical conditions.
Surface & traffic
[PLACEHOLDER] Road surface, traffic and tunnels – to verify
Water & food
[PLACEHOLDER] Fountains, cafés and the last shop before the top – to verify
Descent
[PLACEHOLDER] Descent notes – surface, hairpins, cold. Always pack a layer.
Nearby climbs
- Fóia – Serra de Monchique ≈ 345 km away (straight line)
- Alto de l'Angliru ≈ 351 km away (straight line)
- Lagos de Covadonga ≈ 394 km away (straight line)
Sources & verification
Data Figures copied from the sources listed, retrieved 14 Nov 2026. Published numbers differ with the exact start and finish – we show one sourced version. Exact start point and date of on-the-road verification: [PLACEHOLDER] to record.