🏔️ Serra da Estrela: Portugal’s hidden gem
I had no idea that I would live just an hour’s drive from mountains of unearthly beauty! Picturesque reliefs stretch along the entire border with Spain, but the highest ridge is located in the center of Portugal – 300 km from Lisbon and 200 km from Porto.
I love visiting the mountain slopes of Serra da Estrela. I have visited a large number of locations, but have not yet seen all the local waterfalls and gorges, rivers and pools, villages and towns. The area of ”Star Mountain” is about 1000 sq km. The Portuguese say it takes more than a year to explore this nature reserve well.
What if you don't have a free year? Take advantage of a few days off to see at least the most luscious mastas of the Serra da Estrela. I've collected them in this guide.
A. Village of Piodão
I squealed with delight as I approached this place. Old slate houses descend along a picturesque slope. The white temple with fabulous turrets stands out from its surroundings and at the same time is the icing on the architectural cake. Charming!
Stroll along the cobbled streets of Piodan, lined with streams. Consider houses with window frames and doors painted blue. Go down to the river water pool. Taste the local cuisine in the colorful restaurant “o Fontinha” and try Piodan liqueurs.
Here you can relax from the city noise, enjoy the solitude and beauty of nature. How wonderful it is to be in this place in the evening! Silence, starry sky, lantern lights – romance!
The Inatel Hotel has the best location for admiring the village. You can spend the night in it. But there are other options on booking.
B. River beach of Foz d'Égua (Praia Fluvial de Foz d'Égua)
This beach is located 5 km from Piodan. You can walk here from the village. My husband and I call this place “heavenly pool.” The landscape in Foz d'Aigua cannot be seen enough. Emerald water against the backdrop of slate bridges, mountain slopes and ancient buildings, green trees and bright flowers – fantastic!
Mountain streams in Portugal are not particularly deep. Lakes are formed here with the help of dams. Foz d'Egua beach appeared thanks to a man-made barrier. Two streams flow into the reservoir. The water in them is icy. But when it’s more than 30 outside, you really want to cool off. It was difficult for me to gradually enter the cold water, so I splashed out with a running start.
You will climb the steps that lead to the suspension bridge and above. The path is not as difficult as it seems at the start. The hawk will have such a look that his strength will immediately be replenished. At the top there is an altar, which can be reached via a small suspension bridge.
S. Loriga river beach (Praia Fluvial de Loriga)
I was here in winter, so there are no people in my photos. If you come here in the summer, be prepared for a lot of tourists. But don’t worry: in the multi-level pool, which was built on a cascade of a mountain river, there is enough space for everyone.
Lo Riga beach is located in a glacial valley. This is a unique location for Portugal. The water here is crystal clear and, of course, cold.
Literally a kilometer from the beach there is an authentic village. You will find restaurants and hotels there. If you have time, take a walk along one of the mountain routes – there are all the necessary signs in the surrounding area.
D. Marques da Silva Dam (Barragem Marques da Silva, Lagoa)
I had never seen such a huge dam before. The height of the structure is 29 meters, the length along the ridge is 1200 meters, the volume is 100 thousand cubic meters. The main reservoir of Serra da Estrela began to be built in 1910. Later the height of the dam was increased three times. This place is used as a hydroelectric power station.
E. Covão dos Conchos
You need to walk to the next artificial lagoon – you can’t get there by car. The 4.5 km road will be very scenic. You will see the Marquis da Silva Dam from above, streams will flow under your feet, and at the end of the path a real miracle awaits you – an underground waterfall.
This funnel was built in the 50s. The pipe, 4.6 meters high, directs water to the main storage facility through a special tunnel. Yes, this is a man-made creation, but it looks fascinating!
F. Tower of Serra da Estrela (Torre Serra da Estrela)
It is located at the highest point of mainland Portugal – 1993 meters above sea level. The seven-meter structure allows you to reach the treasured two thousand.
In clear weather, from the top of the Serra da Estrela you can see not only the mountain valley, but also the ocean, which is about 100 km away.
In winter, snow falls on the Serra and the reservoirs are covered with an ice crust. A white veil lies on the top until May. The only ski resort in Portugal is located here. The route is not steep – just right for beginners.
There is an abandoned observatory near the tower. I heard that in the coming years the Portuguese will begin to restore it. In the meantime, the place looks like a film set for a film about a post-apocalypse.
Are you hungry? There is a restaurant and mini market nearby. Be sure to try the local cheeses and meats – they are considered a delicacy.
G. Our Lady of the Good Star (Nossa Senhora da Boa Estrela)
The seven-meter altar of Nossa Senhora da Boa Estrela was decided to be erected by the parish priest in the 40s. He wanted the monument to this saint to be seen by as many people as possible, so he placed it on a rock next to Torre.
There is a legend that a star in the guise of a woman descended from heaven to a lonely shepherd who lived on one of the slopes of Serra da Estrela. She talked to him every night and became a guide and protector. Now Our Lady of the Good Star is the patroness of all Portuguese shepherds.
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H. Covan d'Ametade
If you're looking for a picnic spot, this is the best location! The size of the recreation area allows you to organize even a large tourist gathering.
A cozy park with tables and barbecues has been set up in the former pit of a glacial valley. It is green here and you can always find shade. Covan d'Ametada is the source of the Zezere River and has its own waterfall. The territory is protected by tall granite peaks.
I. Caldeirão Dam (Barragem do Caldeirão)
I want to show you a cool walking route. Its length is 11.7 km. Entrance to the Mondego Tracks is free, but you need to purchase an electronic ticket – the guys at the start will explain everything, the main thing is that you have the Internet. The route is not circular. To return to your car, you can take a taxi at the end point. Find out the service's phone number at the start – in case there is no free car at the finish line.
It is more convenient to start the journey from the Caldeiran Dam. Here you will find 600 meters of steps. Fortunately, down. Therefore, I recommend starting from this side. At the other end, near the village of Videmonte, there are also steps, but they are easier – this will be very important at the finish after a long journey.
Next you will find mountain rivers and waterfalls, hills and valleys, mills and abandoned factories, hanging bridges and wooden paths fixed directly on the slopes.
It took us about 5 hours to complete this route. In the end, I was happy with every mark that brought me closer to the finish line. Although I was very tired, I was glad that I had covered the whole distance.
There is a restaurant on the second kilometer of the route. On the way, I also saw a stall with popcorn and a stand with honey. The next place to eat is in the village of Videmonte. If you decide to head there, check out the home bakery – they prepare delicious bread according to an old recipe in the oven. Added a mark to the map.
J. Linhares da Beira
This 12th century village is an open-air museum. Medieval architecture here is combined with elements of a later period – 16-17 centuries. Climb the walls of the ancient fortress for a bird's eye view of the villages.
For construction, local residents used granite, which this region is rich in. Boulders sometimes serve as the walls of buildings – very unusual. The window openings in some houses are decorated in an elegant Portuguese Manueline style.
Wandering through the cobbled streets of the village, you will see not only ancient temples, but also a prison with a pillar of shame, to which they were tied for minor offenses.
Linhares is considered a tourist destination, so you can easily find accommodation here. The village has several restaurants and souvenir shops.
To see all the points that I described in this guide, it is better to allocate three to four days for the trip. If you want to spend more time on Serra da Estrele, write in the comments – I’ll tell you what else is worth seeing.