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Overview

Estrela Mountains and Schist Village Walking Holiday – Saturday 1st November to Sunday 9th November

The Central region of Portugal is home to the country’s best hiking locations: the high granite mountains of the Serra da Estrela and the ancient forest trails of the Aldeias do Xisto. There’s quite a contrast to the two terrains: the windswept ‘Mountains of the Stars’ include many of Portugal’s highest peaks, whilst the secluded Schist Villages lie hidden amongst woodlands of native oak and chestnut trees.

However, culturally they’re extremely close. Both regions celebrate and preserve a rural way of life which is in danger of being lost: stonemasons and artisans help breath new life into lost farming villages like Cerdeira and Talasnal, the mills of Manteigas have introduced Burel wool to a whole new generation, and the queijarias of Lorigo are the trusted custodians of Portugal’s oldest and most-popular cheeses.

Hiking in these beautiful landscapes could be a holiday in itself; touring their cultural and historic landmarks could be another – only by bringing them together, can you truly understand and appreciate this unique corner of Portugal. We’ve created this fully-guided walking week in conjunction with our friend Francisco Mendonca from Walk Hike Portugal. Francisco is an incredibly experienced guide – he’s been hiking and climbing across Central Portugal since the age of nineteen, and his knowledge of its forests and mountains, its people and its rich cultural heritage is second to none.

Meal arrangements are tailored to fit with each day’s schedule. Where picnic lunches are best, they’re included, where’s there’s a chance to sample a regional dish, Francisco will take you to one of his favourite local restaurants for dinner, and there are a couple of evenings where your time is your own.

Unlike our usual holidays, we’re offering this special, one-to-one guided trip for a fixed set of dates: beginning on Saturday 1st November and ending on Sunday 9th November.

These are the trails that Portuguese hikers love walk themselves. We think this would be an ideal walking week for friends and couples who walk regularly and have a good level of fitness, and for anyone looking for an authentic Portuguese experience.

If this sounds like your type of holiday, feel free to call our Portugal Specialist Paul on 017687 75672 for chat through the details.

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1

You’ll begin your holiday with a direct flight to Lisbon. Our driver will collect you from your flight, for your transfer to the Hotel Vila Gale Opera, overlooking the iconic Ponte de 25 Abril Bridge.

Day 2

Leaving Lisbon, you’ll drive north with your guide to the protected the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela. Your destination is Casa das Penhas Douradas - a mountain-top hotel which sits at 1500m, overlooking the town of Manteigas and the Zezere glacial valley.

Day 3

Your first walk takes you into the Loriga Canyon (distance: 8.5km, ascent: 1255m, difficulty: hard), following an ancient shepherds’ trail as it snakes its way through a glacial gorge, climbing up onto the high plateau of the Estrela Mountain range.

Day 4

Walk number two follows the Rota das Lagoas – the Route of the Lagoons, (distance: 7.7km, ascent: 288m, difficulty: moderate). Your route takes you via several of the high-altitude lakes and reservoirs which populate the landscape: Lagoa Serrano, Covao das Quelhas, Lagos das Salgadeiras and Poio dos Caes. In the afternoon, you’ll learn how the local Queijo Serra da Estrela is made – it’s Portugal’s most-famous cheese, made from the milk of the local Bordaleira sheep.

Day 5

Your next welk is circular, following the Rota do Javali: the Route of the Wild Boar, (distance: 8.8km, ascent: 675m, difficulty: moderate), exploring an ancient woodland which is populated by otters (lontras in Portuguese), foxes (raposas), and the aforementioned boar (javali).

Day 6

You’ll leave the Serra da Estrela, travelling southwest to your new accommodation in the the schist village of Cerdeira. The Serra da Lousa mountain range is famous throughout Portugal for its Aldeias do Xisto, or Schist Villages. Schist is the local stone used in the construction of the region’s rural houses, and the villages are popular for their naturally slow pace of life, with a focus on preserving long-held and well-loved traditions: in the local architecture, in the cuisine of the region, and its art and handicrafts.

Day 7

Your first Aldeias do Xisto walk follows the Rota dos Moleiros: the Route of the Millers, (distance: 5.5km, ascent: 458m, difficulty: moderate). The title for today’s walk is very apt – you’ll be following in the footsteps of the old millers, on the footpaths they used when walking from one watermill to the next. Before your walk begins and with the assistance of a local cook from the village, you’ll prepare this evening’s dinner - one of the region’s most-famous dishes – chanfana: a delicious goat stew, slow cooked with pimenton, garlic, bay and local red wine.

Day 8

Your final walk takes you on the Rota das Cinco Aldeias – the Route of the Five Villages, (distance: 10km, ascent: 755m, difficulty: moderate), a network of paths linking the five highland settlements of Cerdeira, Talasnal, Candal, Casal Novo and Chiqueiro.

Day 9

After a final breakfast at your casa, it’s time to leave Cerdeira and the Aldeias do Xisto. You’ll head south to Lisbon for your flight home.

From £3800 per person, based a couple sharing.

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

Direct flights from the UK, private airport transfers and five private guided walks. Accommodation on a B&B basis in double ensuite rooms at the Vila Gale Opera and Casa das Penhas Douradas, and in a two-bedroom casa on a B&B basis in Cerdeira. Meal arrangements are tailored to fit with each day's schedule: picnics lunches are included on walk days, lunch isn't included on Day 6, but your guide will take you to a local restaurant where you can sample the cuisine of the central region. Dinner isn't included on Day 2 and Day 5, giving you the option of eating in your hotel's restaurant or just opting for a light snack.

Accommodation

Casa das Penhas Douradas

Activities

Hiking in Portugal For a relatively small country, Portugal has an enviably diverse range of…

Location

Central Portugal

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