Serra da Leba pass, Angola

Serra da Leba pass, Angola 

Serra da Leba pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.845m (6,053ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huíla, in Angola. The road to the top is asphalted and pretty steep. The most challenging part of the climb is a short section of 1.7km, with 7 hairpin turns. It’s one of the famous hairpinned roads in the world.

The surface of the road is asphalted, and chains or snow tyres can be required throughout the year. Located near the city of Lubango, Serra da Leba is famous for its altitude, for its beauty and also for the road over the pass. The road to reach the summit is a sharply winding and precipitous ascent in a steep and narrow zig-zag section.
The road is called Estrada Nacional 280 (EN280). The drive is definitely worth it. Legend has it that the Serra da Leba pass is named after a Portuguese woman who designed and built the road, who died after she viewed it on the very day the project was finished. Being one of the country’s postcard images for decades, the road is a marvel of engineering given the era of its construction. In spite of its beauty, the road offers little guard-rail protection and has been the venue of many road fatalities; thus bearing the long assigned name ‘the beautiful precipice’.

Epic Angola Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound