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Climb Summary
Cycling the mighty Serra da Estrela
Photo: Google Maps
Serra da Estrela (“Start Mountain Range”) is the highest point in mainland Portugal. Few places can you ride your bike to the highest point in a country, but this is one of those few. The top is not a peak but rather the highest point in a plateau and the Torre (“Tower”) built in 1817.
Bottom photos: Google Maps
Top and middle photos: Heiko Linnert, Germany.
There are 4 routes to the top of this climb: Seia (northwest), Manteigas (northeast), Covilha (southeast) and Unhais da Serra (southwest). The most difficult route to the top is from Unhais de Serra (20.8 kilometers gaining 1,342 meters at 6.4% average grade).
Serra da Estrela is featured prominently in many Volta a Portugal races since 1971, nearly always from either Seia or Covilha.
Volta a Portugal peleton climbing Serra da Estrela.
All routes are in Parque Natural da Serra Estrela (established 2005; 1000 square kilometers / 247,105 acres).
The road was built in 1817 at the direction of King Dom Joao VI to facilitate construction of The Torre (The Tower in English).
The Torre
Photo: Google Maps
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