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After not too long ago knowing that I want extra nature in my existence, we made up our minds to spend a while outdoor of Lisbon. As a virtual nomad, I felt fortunate that I may simply pick out up and move, figuring out that I will nonetheless get paintings performed alongside the best way.
So we checked out a number of vacation spot choices. However then a chum really helpful the world round Serra da Estrela Nationwide Park and we straight away liked the theory. I truthfully assume we put this Portugal highway commute in combination in about 10 mins. We merely sought after to get out into nature and if a chum stated this house was once price visiting, that was once excellent sufficient. We booked a condo automotive and a lodge and 4 days later we had been able.
The commute proved to be PERFECT. And I’m satisfied that anybody having a look to revel in a while within the nation-state of Portugal visiting small villages, climbing via spectacular nature, respiring within the recent air and consuming some truly excellent meals, must head to this area as smartly.
Right here’s precisely what we did…
Day 1: Lisbon to Manteigas (the Portugal highway commute starts)
We picked up our condo automotive within the heart of Lisbon. I used Sixt automotive condo, which I’ve used ahead of in Portugal. It’s all the time been dependable, simple and inexpensive in my enjoy. For the reason that we had been headed into the mountains, I went with an SUV in order that we’d really feel a bit of more secure. It price 40€ in step with day together with insurance coverage.
After which, off we went in this Portugal highway commute!
- Left Lisbon at 2:00pm and started the power north.
- Drove by means of the A1 and A23 highways, had a failed try to discover a excellent position for a espresso damage within the the town of Entroncamento, after which persevered.
- On the the town of Malpique, we left the freeway and took N232, a windy highway that went via picturesque villages, with spectacular mountain surroundings as smartly.
- 40 mins later we arrived within the small mountain village of Manteigas.
- Checked in on the Resort Berne (easy, however nice rooms with perspectives out over town and valley, superb breakfast and really easy to park right here, which is uncommon in those portions with the entire slender roads).
- Walked into the town and ate at Restaurante Paragem Serradalto, one of the crucial few eating places open. We had some bread, cheese, olives, trout and native wine.
- Then we walked again to the lodge and promptly fell asleep.
Day 2: Manteigas to Serra da Estrela + 2 hikes
After breakfast on the lodge, we began our day trip and about at 10:30am…
- Drove alongside Rua da Lapa, heading south after which directly to the very slender N338 that went alongside the Zezere River.
- Loved the beautiful surroundings of the Glacial Valley of Zezere subsequent to us.
- Arrived at Covao d’Ametade Park for a fast stroll to one of the most valley viewing spaces.
- Persisted using any other quarter-hour to the Serra da Estrela Nationwide Park.
- Stopped on the spectacular lookouts alongside the best way.
- Did the 1 hour hike right down to Covao do Meio (picturesque synthetic mountain lake).
- Drove to Torre, the easiest mountain height within the Serra da Estrela mountain height (and easiest level on mainland Portugal).
- Ate recent sandwiches for lunch whilst sitting on a rock overlooking the beautiful mountain vary.
- Drove 20 mins to Lagoa Comprida (Comprida Lake) which is the beginning of any other nice climbing path.
- 3 hour go back hike to Covao dos Conchos (a synthetic lake with a ordinary tunnel within the center – the hike was once simple/average and handed via some truly gorgeous landscapes all of the means – extremely really helpful!).
- Drove again to Manteigas alongside N339 and N232, two unbelievable mountain roads that presented consistent breathtaking perspectives (together with vibrant inexperienced pastures filled with massive, scattered boulders).
Day 3: Manteigas to Covilha + wooded area hike
Taking a look to move in a unique route, we researched a number of different within reach cities to talk over with. In spite of everything, we landed on Covilhas for no actual explanation why as opposed to it regarded fascinating. And so the Portugal highway commute persevered, and rancid we went at 10:30am…
- Drove 45 mins to Covilha alongside the N338 and N339 mountain roads.
- Visited the Santa Maria Maior church which is roofed in blue and white tiles.
- Walked all over the place the middle of the town and located a ton of fascinating work of art at the facets of structures (take a look at the small lanes!).
- Had a espresso on the cafe within the Public Lawn of Covilha, overlooking the remainder of town beneath.
- Lunch at Alkimya (nice eating place with scrumptious meals, a singular environment and an superb proprietor/waiter).
- Drove again against Manteigas alongside a unique direction (N18 to N232) that led us to the very peak of the mountains in the back of Manteigas.
- The use of AllTrails app once more, we did this 1 hour wooded area hike (Rotas das Faias) on the peak of the mountain (great surroundings via a pine wooded area).
- Returned to the lodge by means of loopy windy highway that led instantly into the town.
- Dinner at Resort Berne.
Day 4: Manteigas to Piodao
With a complete day to talk over with someplace a bit farther away, we made up our minds to do a little extra climbing. So we regarded on the AllTrails app (displays the entire strolling/climbing trails in a space) and settled on what gave the impression to be a really perfect hike within the Serra do Açor secure area. The primary focal point of the hike was once the midway level – the tiny mountain village of Piodao.
We left Manteigas at 9:30am and started the day.
- Drove to Serra da Estrela Nationwide Park and instantly throughout till we reached the N338, which took us to town of Vide.
- From Vide, we drove to the village of Foz de Egua on CM1134 (any other unbelievable highway scenery-wise, however bumpy and slender!).
- We parked within the village of Foz de Egua.
- Started our hike to Piodao village following the AllTrails map.
- The hike was once simple/average and took 1.5 hours (wonder, wonder – the surroundings was once stunning, with a variety of cows and sheep, timber, valleys and recent air – it was once one of the crucial highest hikes I’ve taken in an extended, very long time).
- Reached the truly old fashioned village of Piodao and had lunch on the superb O Sun dos Pachecos.
- Walked all over the place the village, via the entire slender lanes (truly horny village!).
- Persisted our hike alongside the Jap path again to Foz de Egua.
- This a part of the hike was once simple, most commonly downhill and tremendous delightful (it took about 45 mins to achieve the suspension bridge on the finish).
- We climbed up the steps to the highest of Foz de Egua (the place our automotive was once parked along the street).
- Returned to Manteigas by means of the craziest direction we drove on throughout this commute (SEE THE MAP BELOW!).
- Watch out with this direction as there’s a very slender 3km stretch this is dust most effective and brings you correct up on the subject of the brink, with an enormous drop-off into the valley!
- We stopped for a view and celebrated being alive after the harrowing power.
- Arrived again in Manteigas at 5:00pm.
- We attempted to visit the new springs on the Termas de Manteigas Resort however they had been absolutely booked (if you happen to ebook advance, this could be a good way to complete the day!).
- Dinner again at Resort Berne.
Day 5: Manteigas to Lisbon (the top of our Portugal highway commute)
On nowadays, we returned to Lisbon. It was once a very simple day as we left Manteigas at 10:00am and arrived again on the Sixt automotive condo location within the middle of Lisbon at 1:30pm. Once we entered the town although, we right away sought after to show round and head again out against the non violent, healing nation-state. Fortuitously, in Portugal, such puts, and their advantages, are by no means a ways away.