“Among levadas, peaks, valleys, oak groves and chestnut groves, it is time to open the south gate of the Lousã mountain range and reveal their secrets.” The Serra da Lousã Hiking Festival takes place between the 4th and 6th of October. Already common on the calendar, the initiative has Castanheira de Pera as its starting point. The Hiking Festival integrates existing trails that can be walked independently throughout the year and that pass through places such as Santo António da Neve, in Coentral, with the historic snow pits, which were used to store ice to transport to the court and bars of Lisbon. Another of the mandatory places on the pedestrian routes that make up the Hiking Festival They can be discovered via the routes PR1 – Rota dos Coentrais, PR2 – Rota das Levadas and PR3 – Rota dos Neveiros.
Just over 500 meters from the village of Coentral is the Passadiço da Ribeira das Quelhas, a linear route (about 2.5 km) along the river, with waterfalls and lagoons, is one of the natural treasures of the Lousã mountain range. . There is parking available, but limited on busy days, so your car can be parked in the village of Coentral. Fun With Work (Tel. 917777126) organizes canyoning in Ribeira das Quelhas (price on request), on an approximate route of 3 km that takes around 4 to 5 hours to cover. Along the river there are several abseiling moments, some water jumps and slides.
Walkways of Ribeira das Quelhas
CM Castanheira de Pera
Treasures by the water
Of unique beauty in summer and winter, Praia Fluvial do Poço de Corga, on the Pena river, next to a centuries-old oak grove, is a place of serenity to fully enjoy the surrounding nature with family or friends. Here there is a picnic area and it is possible to visit the O Lagar do Corga Museum Center (Tel. 236432799), a space with a permanent exhibition about the traditional wine press and the tools that were used there. In addition to diving, relaxing or picnics by the river, the surrounding area offers several hiking trails that allow you to explore the rich flora and fauna of the Lousã mountain range. In partnership with DNA Travel & Events (Tel. 962331959) can live unforgettable adventures, like canyoningan activity for kids and adults, and can be done all year round.
Well of Corga
Tourism Central Portugal
Schist villages and swings in the heights
The Lousã mountain range holds almost half of the Schist Villages. The network has 27 villages divided into four territories: Serra da Lousã, Serra do Açor, Zêzere and Tejo-Ocreza. In Lousã there are 12 villages in the network: Aigra Nova, Aigra Velha, Candal, Casal de São Simão, Casal Novo, Cerdeira, Chiqueiro, Comareira, Ferraria de São João, Gondramaz, Pena and Talasnal. The invitation is to explore the typical villages, the historical, natural and gastronomic heritage, as well as walk the surrounding trails. The fauna is varied and today it is estimated that there are around three thousand specimens of deer and roe deer in the mountains, which can also be observed in the Serra da Lousã Biological Park, in Miranda do Corvo. Accessible by car, the top of the Lousã mountain range, in Alto de Trevim, at around 1200 meters above sea level, allows you to swing with a landscape as far as the eye can see.
This Green Tour was carried out in partnership with Kia – Boa Cama Boa Mesa Official Car
The suggestions for this Green Walk also pass through Figueiró dos Vinhos, a municipality where nature remains pure and invites experiences of contemplation and adventure. Among the various natural points of interest, it stands out as from books Fragas de São Simão, on the banks of Ribeira de Alge. To better observe these imposing cliffs torn by the force of the water, the ideal is to park the car and walk along the 1.7 km walkway, which connects the Miradouro das Fragas de São Simão to Aldeia do Casal de São Simão, one of the 12 villages in the Schist Villages network located in Serra da Lousã (the Schist Villages network is made up of 27 villages, the majority in Serra da Lousã).
The walkway crosses the bottom of the Ribeira de Alge gorge, surrounded by the valley’s agricultural landscape. Along the way there are traces of climatic vegetation, Laurissilva, a plant formation that once occupied part of mainland Portugal.
Fragas de São Simão
Tourism Central Portugal
Before going up to the village, the walkway leads to the river beach, framed by Fragas de São Simão, a place of cool shade on hot summer days and crystal clear waters. During the summer, bar support and toilet facilities are available. Throughout the year, the picnic area invites you to stop here before following the route to the village. In Casal de São Simão, a village made up of just one street, you can visit the Ermida de São Simão, one of the oldest temples in Figueiró dos Vinhos, dating back to 1458. The company Fun with Work (Tel. 917777126) organizes climbing activities in Fragas de São Simão (price on request), at the existing climbing school, with a natural rock wall around 28 meters high.
Starting from the village or the river beach, there are more discovery trails, such as PR1 – Caminho do Xisto do Casal de São Simão, a winding trail with uneven levels, which is divided into two sections, a shorter one of 2, 7 km and another longer option of 5.1 km. Along the way there is an old water mill and an old levada on the banks of the river where the inhabitants still use watermills to grind cereals. This trail also crosses the relict Laurissilva Forest, a Cork Oak Forest, and the Fragas de São Simão.
Fragas de São Simão
Tourism Central Portugal
Trails on the banks of the Zêzere
In Figueiró dos Vinhos there are several discovery trails, such as the Vale do Rio Trails, two options of less than 2km and of low difficulty: the Cascata Trail and the Zêzere Trail. Both start in the center of the village, next to the chapel. Another suggestion is the Trilho dos Moninhos, more challenging and not recommended during rainy periods due to the slippery floor and for people with reduced mobility. It is a linear route that leads to Ribeira de Alge.
Alternatively, take the Grande Rota do Zêzere – O Regresso da Serenidade, a multimodal approach with 370 km, which can be covered on foot, by bicycle or by kayak. It crosses 13 municipalities: Manteigas, Covilhã, Guarda, Fundão, Pampilhosa da Serra, Vila de Rei, Oleiros, Sertã, Pedrógão Grande, Figueiró dos Vinhos, Ferreira do Zêzere, Abrantes and Constância. In Figueiró dos Vinhos it starts in the Bouçã Dam area, on a route of around 15 km. In Foz de Alge there is an intermodal station that allows you to switch between walking, mountain biking or canoeing.
This Green Tour was carried out in partnership with Kia – Boa Cama Boa Mesa Official Car
All roads lead to Foz de Alge
Bathed by the waters of the Zêzere River, the village of Foz de Alge is a starting point for various sports, adventure and nature activities. On site there is a river beach and a campsite, managed by Cordastrong (Tel. 965679898), equipped to accommodate campers, caravans and motorhomes, with a restaurant, cafeteria, swimming pool, playground, children’s playground, mini-market, conviviality, sanitary facilities, and free hot water. Whether or not you are staying at the campsite, you can take advantage of the activities available, such as the São João boat trip, canoe rental and stand-up paddle or swans and seagulls. Also with Fun With Work (Tel. 917777126) it is possible to do slides (price upon request) in Foz de Alge, with a distance of 160 meters and reaching a maximum of 23 km/hour. In Foz de Alge, you can abseil on the bridge that passes Ribeira de Alge, 6 meters high.
To enjoy the waters of the Zêzere, Fun With Work also organizes 45-minute canoe trips (prices on request) and day or night river trips, which can be complemented with hiking trips. The route of approximately 9 km is located between the Bouça Dam and Foz de Alge. For the less adventurous, we suggest a boat trip on the calm waters of the Zêzere River, starting and ending at Foz de Alge, to enjoy the surrounding landscape. Also in Poeira, near Foz de Alge, it is possible to opt for calmer sports, such as sport fishing, as there is a track for this purpose.
Foz do Alge
Tourism Central Portugal
Cycling in the villages
Mountain bikers will find several routes in Figueiró dos Vinhos suitable for practicing this sport. As a reference, point to the MTB Center in Ferraria de São João, another village in the Aldeias do Xisto network, in the municipality of Penela. The center points out some routes, which connect Ferraria de São João to Campelo, Casal de São Simão and Cercal, with distances ranging between 20 and 75 km. The longest route, which is difficult to follow, passes through the Aldeia do Xisto de Gondramaz, also crossing the railway tracks. downhill existing. Continue along the ridge, descending to the river beaches of Ana de Aviz and Fragas de São Simão. In the final part, mostly uphill, you pass through Aldeia do Xisto de Casal de São Simão. Alternatively, the municipal roads are excellent for cycling tourism .
Viewpoint in Figueiró dos Vinhos
Tourism Central Portugal
Passeio Verde is a Boa Cama Boa Mesa initiative, with the support of Kia Portugal, which, weekly, throughout 2024, will showcase natural spaces, experiences and activities in nature. The Green Walk was carried out with the Kia Niro EV 100% electricBoa Cama Boa Mesa Official Car.
This project is supported by sponsors, with all content created, edited and produced by Expresso (see code of conduct), without external interference.
Sustainable mobility: official Boa Cama Boa Mesa car is KIA
