In this activity, we'll be walking in the area of Lousã, the capital of the Schist Villages, where we'll have the opportunity to visit five villages: Talasnal, Casal Novo, Chiqueiro, Cerdeira and Candal, as well as a guided tour of the historic centre of Lousã. This weekend we will of course have the opportunity to sample the best flavours of the local cuisine. Come and join us!

Saturday 21st May

Estimated start time of the walk: 10am

Level of difficulty of the route: 3++ (Scale from 1 to 5)

Route length: 12 kilometres

Estimated time: 5 hours

Lunch will be in the form of a picnic, which is the responsibility of each participant

4pm - Guided tour of the historic centre of Lousã

8pm - Regional dinner

The Mills and Serranos Route

This route provides a privileged connection from the centre of the town of Lousã to the Castle and Nossa Senhora da Piedade area. It runs along a trail of great beauty, accompanied by vegetation on one side and opening up on the other to a magnificent view over the slopes of the Serra da Lousã. Next to the river, we find the levada that takes the water to the Prado Paper factory, established in 1716. This is where the dirt track of the “A Rota dos Moinhos da Ribeira de São João” route begins. In this sector, the path runs along a trail of great beauty.

During our walk we'll pass through the schist villages of the Talasnal, New couple e Chiqueiro.

Serra da Lousã

Serra da Lousã is home to a vast and diverse flora and fauna. Centenary chestnut trees are present almost all along the route. Near the villages, we find oaks, cork oaks and maritime pine. The water lines, which were once used to water the gardens cultivated by the mountain dwellers, have been preserved and still serve to quench the thirst of wild animals. These same water lines, many of them centenary, end up giving life and movement to the stunning surrounding landscapes. Deer, roe deer and wild boar are also very common.

22nd May (Sunday)

Lousã Schist Route (on the Levada and Waterfall route)

This route passes by the Ribeira de S. João, which feeds the natural pools of Sra. Piedade. Part of this route runs alongside a levada, which channelled water from the mountains to the Power Station, the first of its kind built in mainland Portugal. It is still in operation today. We'll visit the Schist Village of Candal, and the Village of Cerdeira.

Estimated start time of the walk: 9.30am

Level of difficulty of the route: 3 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 9 kilometres

Estimated duration: 4h30

14.30 - Lunch in the typical restaurant “O Burgo”

16.30 - End of activity and return to Lisbon

- Visit to the Schist Villages of Talasnal, Casal Novo, Chiqueiro, Cerdeira and Candal - Guided tour of the town of Lousã (historic centre, with emphasis on the Pelourinho, Mother Church and Manor Houses) - Lousã Castle - Nossa Senhora da Piedade Chapel - Swimming Pool/Fluvial Beach - Water Mills - Natural landscapes of great beauty, with Levadas and Waterfalls -