This activity proposal aims to provide a weekend in the heart of Beira-Alta, in an area where the Côa River stands out, whose source we will visit, as well as a border area that will provide us with stories of smuggling by some of the inhabitants of Foios. We'll also pass through Alfaiates, whose historic centre is well worth a visit, as is its reservoir. On routes of great natural beauty, we'll also get to know part of the Côa river and the historic town of Sabugal, with its imposing castle, as well as the well-preserved riverside area. This is another event not to be missed!

TIME: Departure from Lisbon at 6.30pm
RETURN: Arrival in Lisbon at 7.30pm

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 28 FEBRUARY 2023

12th May (Friday)

Check-in at the Hotel (Sabugal)

Saturday 13th May

9am - Scheduled start time for the walk

Walking the Côa River Spring Route

Points of interest:

- Village of Fóios
- Woods, meadows, pine forests and oak forests
- Granite forms (Serra das Mezas)
- Source of the River Côa
- Viewpoints
- River Beach
- Parish Church of Fóios
- Natural landscapes

Distance: 15 kilometres

Difficulty: 3.5 (Scale from 1 to 5, 1 being the easiest)

Expected duration: 5h

Walking the Côa River Spring Route

The route heads north-east from Largo da Praça in Fóios. It then crosses an area of great beauty, with lameiros, oak groves and ancient groves bordered by schist walls. It then crosses the River Côa and takes a section of the old “smuggling route”, used for travelling to Spain as part of this activity, which was so important in the last century in the region. We are at the confluence of four regions, two in Portugal (Beira Baixa and Beira Alta) and two in Spain (Extremadua and Castilla y Leon). The river Côa rises here and the Águeda, another important tributary of the Douro, rises a few kilometres away in Spain. The major relief units can also be seen from here: the “Iberian Plateau”, the “Cova da Beira” and the “Central System”.

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

15h30 - Walk in the Village of Alfaiates (Pelourinho, Castle and Albufeira)

The origin of the settlement is not known with certainty. Protohistoric remains have been found, but its name must be of Arab origin (possibly from the term Al-haet - wall or fence). It was part of the Leonese kingdom until the end of the 13th century. Between 1209 and 1226, it was elevated to a town and received a charter from the King of León. With the conquest of the region by King Dinis and the signing of the Treaty of Alcanizes in 1297, it became part of the Portuguese kingdom. As the border became more distant, the town's military importance diminished. Despite this, the wars of the Restoration once again brought destruction to Alfaiates. Its captain, Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas, played a key role in the defence of the region and in the remodelling of the Praça-forte, giving it its current configuration. During the French invasions in 1811, the castle played an important role in the defence of the border area.

Distance: 5 kilometres

Difficulty: 2 (Scale from 1 to 5, 1 being the easiest)

Expected duration: 2h

Points of interest:

- Pelourinho
- Alfaiates Castle
- Rainha Santa Isabel Square
- Misericórdia Church
- Old Town Hall
- Albufeira and River Beach
- Natural landscapes

18h30 - Estimated time of arrival in Sabugal

20h30 - Group Dinner Suggestion

14th May (Sunday)

9am - Scheduled start time for the walk

Walking the Meanders of the River Côa

Points of interest:

- Tapada de S. Lázaro Mill
- Marques Mill
- Volta Mill
- Moinho dos Margaridos
- Delfim Mill
- Côa riverside area
- Sabugal Castle
- Natural landscapes

Distance: 12 kilometres

Difficulty: 3 (Scale from 1 to 5, 1 being the easiest)

Walking the Meanders of the River Côa

On this route we pass the Ribeira da Paiã, in a nook and cranny with several testimonies of ancient stone constructions used to harness the waters, and continue through oak and pine forests. At the “Moinhos dos Margaridos”, abandoned for decades, there is total tranquillity. The trail runs alongside the river, always covered by a lush forest of huge ash, alder, willow, oak and chestnut trees. You can admire the abandoned dams and mills and be surprised by the playful antics of otters or the hurried flitting of mallard ducks. Observing the fauna is not always easy, with birds being the easiest group to spot, and in this area we can observe mallard ducks or herons. Although more difficult, spotting otters is very rewarding. The river's landscape is also characterised by its traditional stone constructions, used to harness water for agriculture, grazing and milling, but in a very harmonious way. There are stone weirs, with their canals, levadas, stoppings and walkways, to store and ingeniously convey water to the fields or to the mills. In the area of the trail there are six mills of this type, all abandoned several decades ago, but which are interesting testimonies to the traditional architecture of the first half of the 20th century.

1pm - Group Lunch Suggestion

15.30 - End of activity and return to Lisbon

The price includes:

- Bed and breakfast in a hotel
- 3 Walks
- Tour of Alfaiates and Fóios
- The proposed accommodation option includes various room types
- Guided Walks
- Compulsory insurance

Values without transport

Price in double room: 160€
Price in single room: 195€

Transport costs

Note: Transport will be paid on the day of the event: €70 (estimate to be confirmed)

Seat reservation fee: 50€

- Aldeia de Fóios - Soutos, lameiros, pinhais e carvalhais - Formas graníticas (Serra das Mezas) - Nascente do Rio Côa - Miradouros - Praia Fluvial - Igreja Matriz de Fóios - Pelourinho - Castelo de Alfaiates - Praça Rainha Santa Isabel - Igreja da Misericórdia - Albufeira e Praia Fluvial - Moinhos - Castelo do Sabugal - Zona Ribeirinha do Côa - Paisagens naturais -