This hiking trip by Caminhando will take you along a route of great beauty in the Poios Valley in the Serra do Sicó. We'll have the opportunity to walk along the Biodiversity Route, as well as one of the most important river and karst canyons in the country. Highlights include Alto da Vieira, Covão das Favas, Senhora da Estrela and the famous Cookie Monster. Another event not to be missed!

Walking through the Poios Valley in search of the Cookie Monster

There will be 14 kilometres on this circular route of rare beauty, between ancient trails travelled by shepherds and pilgrims, and rural paths that over the years have served as a link between the people of the Serra de Sicó.

Starting next to the Dolina da Senhora da Estrela, with all its circular beauty and water mirror, we will skirt the village of Poios and then enter the Poios Valley following the Biodiversity Route, which, along a stone track in the shape of a lagido, will take us deeper into the rugged gorges of the Poios Valley, one of Portugal's most important river and karst canyons, a place where water once carved out incredible steep slopes that gave rise to caves and impressive rock masses.

We'll then continue along the valley floor on footpaths that wind through an enchanted forest in the midst of dense tree cover, which will leave us marvelling at all its beauty. From the friendly village of Mocitas de Santo Amaro, we'll continue, flanked by stone walls, to Alto da Vieira, where we'll take a break in the picnic area.

We'll then continue on to Covão das Favas and the viewpoint at the top of the hill, where on clear days you can see the sea, and then reach the top of the rocky massif where Senhora da Estrela is located, and its sanctuary inside a cave, with all its panoramic views over the Soure valley, and where we'll look for the famous Monstro das Bolachas, guardian of these parts. We'll then descend, always with fabulous views, to the starting point next to the Dolina da Senhora da Estrela.

- Vale dos Poios - Poio Velho and Poio Novo - Biodiversity Route - Serra de Sicó - Dolinas - Senhora da Estrela Sanctuary - Lapiá fields - Mediterranean woodland - Picnic area - Natural landscapes -