Portugal Highlands Walking Tour

From Lisbon, we begin our journey inland to the remote village of Talasnal in the Serra de Lousã. This tiny village is unique for its cube-like schist houses nestled in the forested hillside. Inhabited since the 16th century, it reached its peak population in 1911, with a grand total of 112 inhabitants!  While most villagers eventually left to seek their fortune in the city and even abroad, others have returned to restore the houses and transform this almost forgotten place into a peaceful weekend retreat. Our hike takes us through woodlands of pines, cork oaks and chestnut trees to the medieval Castle of Lousã set on the banks of the Arouce River. After we enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to the picturesque village of Piodão, another gem comprised of cobblestone lanes and schist houses cascading down a gentle slope. Dinner at Solar dos Pachecos. Overnight in Piodão.

Walking distance: 3 km | 2 miles.

We start the day with a walk along a rural trail from the village of Piodão to the river pools of Foz D’Égua. After dropping in at a local café we transfer to Vide, a village well known for its waterways that lead to the foothills of Serra da Estrela. Our final destination is Loriga where we enjoy a satisfying lunch at restaurant O Vicente. Re-energized, we hike to the village of Cabeça, following the Loriga mountain river and man-made waterways that feed agriculture, cattle and local families. We visit the highest point in continental Portugal for magnificent views over the surrounding plains before arriving at our hotel in Serra da Estrela (2 nights).

Walking: 3.7 km | 2.3 miles; Optional walking: 7 km | 4.3 miles

After breakfast we start the day with a transfer to the mountain plateau of Penhas Douradas, our trailhead for the day. The hike takes us through the glacial landscape of Serra da Estrela, passing through the rock castles of Fragão das Penhas, Nave da Mestra and Cantaro Magro. On the way we will get to know about the unique geological and ecological features that make this mountain a hidden gem in the context of Iberia. We finish the hike with a full countryside picnic with local cheeses, sausages, salads… not least local pastries and wine. After short transfer to the hotel you will have time to enjoy the spa and relax as you see fit. Free night and dinner. Overnight in Serra da Estrela.

Walking: 11 km | 6.8 miles

We start the day with a drive along the Zêzere Valley to visit a local wool factory and fashion design establishment in Serra da Estrela. Our visit is followed by wine and cheese tasting at Queijaria de Manteigas. After lunch we transfer to the village of Videmonte to start our afternoon hike down the Mondego River valley and gorge. Our 5 mile hike alongside the river takes us via abandoned industrial wool manufacturing sites, a reminder of the past livelihoods. After our hike we transfer back to Belmonte for dinner and where we stay for two nights.

Walking: 9 km | 5.4 miles

We start the day with a drive to Penha Garcia to hike  500 million-year-old trilobite trail along the Ponsul River gorge. We then transfer to Monsanto (Monte Santo = Holy Hill), made popular by Salazar after being considered the “most Portuguese village of all Portuguese villages”. After a short stop for lunch at Taverna Lusitana we stroll to the castle, crisscrossing the picturesque medieval village via narrow and boulder laden streets. After our visit we head back to Belmonte for a relaxing afternoon at the hotel. Free night and dinner.

Walking: 3.2 km | 2 miles; Optional Walk: 3.2 km | 2 miles

On our last day of our Highland walk we like to offer guests two options, both ending with a group lunch in Belmonte:

Option 1) Stay in town to visit the Bet Eliahu Synagogue and the Jewish Museum to discover the narrative of the last crypto-Jewish community on the Iberian Peninsula; discover the entire history of the powerful Cabral family deeply intertwined with the history of Belmonte at Solar dos Cabrais, surmounted by the surviving coat of arms of the Counts of Belmonte. It currently houses the Municipal Library and Archive, along with the Discoveries Museum, in an immersive and interactive experience with the ancient ships from the Discoveries that united Portugal and the “New Worlds”. You may also be interested in visiting the Ecomuseum of Zêzere and the Museum of Olive Oil, both in the vicinity of Solar dos Cabrais. Farwell lunch.

Option 2) Morning transfer (25min) to the medieval town of Sortelha for a walk around the wall and beautiful views over the surrounding landscape. We will be back in Belmonte at 11:30am to enjoy a farewell lunch with our new friends at Taverna Fio de Azeite.

Transfer to Lisbon for arrival by approximately 5 pm.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.