In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice. In summer or winter, mainland Portugal’s highest mountain is the perfect scenery for a few relaxing days in contact with nature. Ski! The best time for a hike is from May to October. This road actually runs steadily down to Caldas de Manteigas, though this would be a long (8km) and unnecessary return to Manteigas itself. Each of these trails takes between three to four days to complete; they are considered overall to be moderately difficult to difficult walking, because there are some steep hikes involved and long distances have to be covered. These are the adresses of the Estrela visitors Centres (locations shown on the map! Sugestões de locais de observação de aves na serra da Estrela. From Manteigas go up in direction of Gouveia / Seia. The Serra da Estrela is the only region in Portugal to boast a network of marked routes, which cover the whole of the National Park. Farmers have moved from stone mountain houses to more modern dwellings on the valley floor while many of the former intensively cultivated Zêzere valley terraces have been abandoned in favour of spreading pine plantations. Though this breed may look intimidating, he is loyal and affectionate with family – it also does well as a guard dog. Walking in Serra da Estrela: Mountains of the Stars is an amazing self guided walking tour through Portugal's highest mountain range. : (351) 238 492 411Fax. Hiking in the city of Sintra. Many attractions on the way (water reservoirs, RAMSAR protected area, charming glacier valley, ski area etc. For more information about the starting points of all these routes see the paragraph 'Visitors Centre/Tourist information' At these visitors centres there are many leaflets with all infromation you need for hiking along one of the beautiful trails. In theory, various hiking trails cut across the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela, though it’s much harder to walk in the serras than it should be. Portugal – Cuisine and Culture from Porto to Lisbon, How I spent two months camping in Spain for €19. Well, the name on it's own should already make one curious of what this area offers and looks like. Just outside the eastern park boundary, and 44km south of Guarda, the prosperous town of COVILHÃ lies immediately below the highest peaks. : (351) 238 310 440Fax. The Serra da Estrela is the only region in Portugal to boast a network of marked routes, which cover the whole of the National Park. Around 1000 square kilometres of the mountain range is protected as the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela, which stretches for around 55km from north to south and around 25km east to west at its widest point. Consider changing the search query. The valley town and spa of Manteigas, pretty much in the centre of the park, is the single best base for hiking and touring, while the tiny ski industry – such as it is – centres on the road between 1993m Torre, the country’s highest peak, and Covilhã, south of Manteigas. The Portugal travel tips: 10 things you need to know before you go, Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert, Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support. This beautiful watershed is lined with traditional stone and wooden houses, built in a loosely common architectural style that melds perfectly with its surroundings. Porto versus Lisbon: which should you visit first? The Estrela Mountain Dog comes in two coat types. While most come to Portugal to relax along the beautiful coastline or explore the cities, adventurous hikers break away from the tourist crowds and head to the park to walk the remote trails. Five minutes' walk after the house is the only turn off the main path – to the left (with paint marks before and after the turn). Most of these people live of, is a very wanted dog in Portugal and is bred here in Estrela. Hit the trails. No elements found. The more adventurous people might know about this area though. Serra de Estrela is Portugal’s only ski resort and is located at Torre 1993 metres above sea level. Find location, trail maps and piste maps covering the mountains 137 m of vertical range and surrounding area. The odd Portuguese visitor comes to the serra to ski in winter; many more clog the narrow roads in summer looking for picnic space. Just before Manteigas there's a small park with a natural pool - Poço do Inferno. Together with the Serra da Lousã it is the westernmost constituent range of the Sistema Central and also one of the highest in the system. Copyright © 2020 Apa Digital AG, all rights reserved. Instead, we made our own circuit by heading for the tarmac via the Centro de Limpeza de Neve (Snow Clearing Centre) and walking the final 3 km along the road. A network of hiking trails covers the peaks and valleys, though relatively few people take to the paths to explore the region. A nice resort with the best snow, Serra de Estrela is an excellent montain, the highest mountain in center of Portugal , great skiing and exploring.. Not much skiable terrain, just 15 km , a good place for beginners, each ski area, great place for kids. Located in central Portugal, the Serra da Estrela National Park is a hiking enthusiast’s dream. Although the landscape varies considerably within the Serra da Estrela, there’s no escaping the mounds of rounded granite boulders that litter it. For the day-hiker, who just wants a taste of the mountains, try the easy circular route from Manteigas to the Poço do Inferno waterfall. explore Estrela Geopark. There’s one easy circular walk to the Poço do Inferno, though most other routes are point-to-point, requiring a taxi ride out or back, which can be easily arranged. Also known as the Cao da Serra de Estrela, the Estrela Mountain Dog is a large breed native to the Estrela Mountains in Portugal. When you think about Portugal you would not immediately think about summitpost material. Enjoy nature hiking in the Serra da Estrela. Of course it is possible to follow just shorter sections of each trail. There are 9 trails at Serra da Estrela. Serra de Vale de Estrela Walking trail in Vale de Estrela, Guarda (Portugal). Description Coat. Hi/Low, RealFeel®, precip, radar, & everything you need to be ready for the day, commute, and weekend! We are a family run horse riding and holiday centre nestled in the Serra Da Estrela mountains.Get closer to nature on our 20 ha quinta .explore the Estrela on one of Irish cobs or sure footed connemara.there are miles of trails to explore with stunning views and for the more experienced rider a spin around our cross country.We have fabulous accommodation for groups or individuals in fully restored stone cottages we … Well-prepared walkers will need to be self-sufficient in order to complete the longer trails. As mentioned, skiing is the main attraction in Serra da Estrela for the locals. Virtually every thoroughfare looks out across the plain below or up to the mountain crags – the café in the pretty town gardens has the best view, serenaded by practice sessions in the music conservatory opposite. If you are looking for a breed … 3 lifts transport the guests. For skiing and snowboarding, there are 5.9 km of slopes available. In the last decades of the twentieth century, and to a lesser extent more recently, life in the mountains changed almost beyond recognition. The ski resort Serra da Estrela is located in Portugal (Portuguesa). In the summer it is not getting too hot, and on a clear day you might even … The Azinheira-walk is in a forgotten corner of the park on the bank of the Beijames River. Serra do Urubu has trails through a variety of forest types, where like all tropical forests, as you give it time, it will reveal its secrets. Walk uphill (there’s a yellow paint mark almost immediately) and it’s twenty minutes further up the road to the Poço do Inferno, “Hell’s Well”, where the Leandres River pours down the narrow gorge into clear pools overlooked by viewing platforms. One of the easiest routes - from Manteigas to the Poço do Inferno waterfall can be completed in a … The park information offices tend not to have English-speaking staff, and it’s rare for the personnel to have any first-hand experience of the trails – often, you’ll simply be pointed to dated or unreliable hiking guides and maps. (10), View The town is on two of the official walking trails, but local routes are on the tough side since – south and west at least – you have to climb steep and far to get anywhere. Ultimately, there are several divergent paths, but as long as you keep going downhill you’ll end up in the group of houses by the Albergaria Berne (another 30min) – from where it’s a steep fifteen-minute climb into Manteigas proper. follow a long pedestrian trail and discover the splendour of nature. Scattered throughout the mountain you will find many ancient paths that were used by the local shepherds, and that today form an incredible network of trails. Covilhã lies just outside the park proper, and is the only town of any size in the region. If there’s one town in the Serra da Estrela with a true mountain air it’s MANTEIGAS, 700m up, whose whitewashed houses run along the contour above the Rio Zêzere. A small paved road passes trough the entire region end finds it's way up to the 1997 meters high Torre. However, in late April, you can already do some hiking if properly prepared: the weather is still cold and damp but the slopes are covered with glitter and … All Rights Reserved. Our selection of the best places to stay in Serra da Estrela are all in the heart of the National Park and are also phenomenal value for money. There’s no public transport further into the park from town, but with a car you can use Manteigas as a base to visit Torre, the glacial valley and ski fields, and the nearby villages. The latter route brings you into town past the therapeutic spa of Caldas de Manteigas and to the fertile valley bottom of the Zêzere, with Manteigas itself spreading across the steep slope opposite. Sintra is a beautiful town situated about 40 minutes from the Capital of … • If you want to do the Manteigas-walk, park at the Pousada of Manteigas where the walk starts. Serra da Estrela "Star Mountain Range" is the highest mountain range in Continental Portugal. (35), Comments Meanwhile local village production is often now directed towards tourists – delights such as the local queijo da serra, an unctuous mountain cheese, as well as rye bread, fruit preserves, honey from the fertile valleys and blankets made from the wool of grazing upland sheep are all widely available. To return, follow the minor road around past the falls, heading back towards Manteigas. The approach from any direction is dramatic: from Sabugueiro and the west the road winds down in convoluted switchbacks; from Belmonte and the east the river scenery is at its most bucolic; while from the south there is the breathtaking descent down the glacial valley of the Rio Zêzere. This map was created by a user. There are three main trails present. But if you want to follow a trail for only one day, starting and ending at the same place, there are 2 routes present: The Manteigas-walk starts at the Pousada near Manteigas, by following a part of one of the main trails and then making a wonderful loop around the plateau by returning via another main trail, which leads you trough the Vale do Rossim on the way back. Day 11 & 12. Because of these features Estrela is a place for every type of nature lover: Steep peaks like Cantaro Magro are a challenge for every climber, there are many marked trails for hikers and for the less active people it might be interesting that the highest point of Portugal's mainland (which is actually a plateau) can be reached by car. Serra do Urubu Reserve. There are many amazing places to see in Serra da Estrela that can only be reached following a good hike. Go tailor-made! Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates. The tourist information centres offer a, Images The bigger part of the people at the Natural Park offices speak English. : (351) 271 225 454. The "Discovering Serra da Estrela" is the most complete guide to the hiking trails that have been marked for the entire National Park. But how to talk about mountain biking and not mention Serra da Estrela, what houses the highest peak of the country. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Planning to travel here? In theory, various hiking trails cut across the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela, though it’s much harder to walk in the serras than it should be. • Take the road to S. Romão (3 km) and than go into the mountains. All tourists, well at least most of them, are here to visit the beaches and enjoy the sun. The Serra da Estrela Located in inland central Portugal, this beautiful area called the Serra da Estrela is in fact a protected National Park. Bombeiros Voluntários, 86290-520 GOUVEIATel. The main municipalities of this National Park are. There are three main routes,namely: T1, T2 and T3 and then six additional routes that split off from the main routes: T11, T12, T13, T14, T31 and T32. This breed has been used to guard homesteads and herds for centuries and, because of its size, it is a formidable opponent to even large predators. Rustic stone house for refurbishment with 104m2, set in a plot of 5.385m2, in Serra da Estrela, Manteigas, Vale de Amoreira, with excelle... 272226381 Call Contact Save If you are sticking to T1 you will not need any maps other than the ones in the book. The best circular walk from Manteigas is to the Poço de Inferno waterfall and back, which takes around four hours. Learn how to create your own. Than back to Santa Comba Dão via Nelas. From the west, access is from the N17, through the small service towns of Seia or Gouveia and then on over the high mountain roads, deep into the park; the smaller western-flank villages of Linhares, Folgosinho and Loriga offer a prettier introduction to the mountain landscape. Visitors to Central Portugal can experience the beautiful temple trail at Tomar or see the gorgeous candy stripe houses at Costa Nova. Poço do Inferno est un sentier en boucle de 1.8 miles situé près de Manteigas, Center Region en Portugal. It’s busiest on winter weekends, when it’s used as a base for trips to the ski slopes, but it has a life independent of the mountains, which makes it an agreeable place to visit at any time. The highest peak of the country lies on the Azores islands, being officially part of Portugal.The highest point of Estrela is just 3 meters short of the 2000 meter barrier, with 'Torre' at 1997meter being the highest point of Portugal's mainland.Visiting Estrela when getting the change is a must for every nature / mountain lover. A legend associated with Serra da Estrela is mentioned in chapter 41 of the American literary classic, Moby-Dick: "...the prodigies related in old times of the inland Strello mountain in Portugal (near whose top there was said to be a lake in which the wrecks of ships floated up to the surface)...". From the once blooming, it is very recommended that you are in the posession of, . Furthermore there are six side trails, namely T11, T12, T13, T14, T31 and T32. ). I’d arranged to join a group of people on a hike around Lagoa … Cross the bridge, turn left (signposted “Leandres”) and walk for 500m along the road, past the recycling plant, before turning right onto a clear forestry track. There's a circular walk around the valley, which goes up to the waterfalls of Poço do Inferno and to the peak of Azinheira (1035m). : (351) 275 980060/1 Fax: (351) 275 980069e-mail: pnse@icn.pt 2) Pr. Reaching over 1,990 meters (6,529) high, most people get to the top via car, but many like to trek parts of the mountain on foot. With very traffic on week End and parking in the resort can be difficult. The Serra da Estrela resort guide summary is: Serra da Estrela has 3 lifts within its terrain that is suitable for beginner and intermediate levels, including terrain park enthusiasts. Within the territory of the Serra da Estrela National Park, over, inhabit the region. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. 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