Ponferrada to Chaves
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 23-12-2020
Route Summary
Crossing the border from Spain to Portugal on rural twisty and hilly roads with great views. Some nice hairpin bends and the road surface is generally good.
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Verdict
Duration
5h 35m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
279.27 km
Countries
Typical views RP 3
RouteXpert Review
This route will take you across the invisible border from Spain to Portugal on delightful and sometimes thrilling roads. The scenery is always beautiful as you wind your way through the hilly countryside. There are some really good corners and hairpins for the motorcyclists. The road surface is good and coupled with the quietness of these roads, this is a reason why Northern Spain and Portugal have become a Mecca for motorcycles, but those in four wheels will still enjoy it. I have suggested a lunch stop at El Puente, there are several cafés and restaurants here on the main road, alternatively, the medieval town of Puebla de Sanabria with it's two castles is just 3 miles further on, this can become busy with tourists though.
Leaving the two castles behind you and after passing through the small town of Pedralba de la Pradería, the road becomes twisty again with some very good flowing corners and the occasional straight. The many windmills that you will see in a line mark the border but a road sign is all that tells you that you are now in Portugal, the scenery and roads are equally as good.
Tall tower blocks indicate that you have reached the city of Bragança and this route uses a short section of duel carriageway road to escape quickly and join the N103 to take you all the way to Chaves, still some 60 miles (95 kms) away. For part of the way, the N103 forms the southern boundary of the Montesinho Natural Park, and although it is a little larger with some other users, it is still has plenty of twists and turns and lovely scenery to keep the smile on your face.
I have added a coffee stop at Vinhais RP 9, the town is in an elevated position looking down to the Rio Tuela valley.
10 miles (16 kms) before you reach the hotel at Chaves, there is a giant boulder at RP 11, it is only 100m off of the route and is worth a visit. Pedra Bolideira is about 30 tonnes and with some effort in the correct place, you are able to move it. Pedra Bolideirais surrounded with myths and legends and is visited by thousands each year.
I have awarded 4**** for this route - The scenery is fantastic - The roads are excellant - The attractions are good
RP 5 The two castles of Puebla de Sanabria
RP 9 Vinhais, coffee stop.
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes
Braganca
About this region
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Route Collections in this region
Ten Day Roadtrip from Spain to Portugal
This route collection describes a 10-day Road trip in the north of Spain and Portugal, a true paradise for motorcycling.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
View Route Collection
10 Routes
2962.5 km
71h 0m