This activity proposal aims to provide a weekend in the territory of the Knights Templar, that is, in the beautiful city of Tomar and its surroundings, with emphasis on the Pegões Aqueduct and the area of the Agroal River Beach and the River Nabão, which will be our companion for two days of hiking and the possibility of time to enjoy the valuable heritage, such as the Convent of Christ and its gardens. Come and join us for another event not to be missed!

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

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 31 AUGUST 2025

Saturday 15th November

9.30 a.m. - Scheduled start time for the walk

Walking in the Pegões Aqueduct and the 7 Montes National Forest

Points of interest:

- Mouchão Park
- River Nabão
- Our Lady of Mercy Chapel
- Pegões Aqueduct and Water House
- Republic Square
- Church of St John the Baptist
- Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception
- Tomar Pillory
- 7 Montes National Forest
- Convent of Christ and Tomar Castle
- Panoramic swing
- Natural landscapes

Distance: 12 kilometres

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

Estimated time: 4 hours

The city of Tomar

Tomar's origins go back more than 30,000 years, as revealed by the various archaeological finds that prove human presence in the territory. We know that Romans, Barbarians, Suevi, Visigoths and Arabs have all been here - and all have left their marks. It was in 1159 that D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, donated this territory to the Order of the Temple as a reward for their help in forming the kingdom and for the great military feats achieved. A year later, it was the Knights Templar and Grand Master Gualdim Pais who had the castle built, which would become the Order's headquarters in Portugal, and who founded the town of Tomar. In 1581, Philip II of Spain convened the courts in Tomar. It was during the Philippine period that the Pegões Altos Aqueduct was built to supply water to the Convent of Christ.

Pegões Aqueduct

The aqueduct was designed in 1584 by the renowned Filipe Terzi, the Kingdom's chief architect, and work only began in 1593. The first phase of work was completed in 1614 and was attended by King Philip II, who travelled to Portugal and inaugurated the work, according to the inscription engraved on the monument. This first phase led the water to a reservoir that retained the water, located in the area of the Cerca do Convento. It wasn't until later, in 1616, under the direction of the architect Diogo Marques Lucas, that the work was finalised, in which the plumbing was extended into the convent building, reaching the lavatories in the dormitories in 1617 and reaching the fountain in the main cloister in 1619, the actual date of completion of the project.

The aqueduct stretches for around six kilometres, connecting water from four springs on the outskirts of the city of Tomar, in the town of Pegões, to the Convent of Christ. It consists of a total of 180 round arches and represents one of the most important public works of the 17th century in Portugal.

It consists of a simple archway and two layers of overlapping arches in the area with the steepest slope, precisely over the Pegões valley, where it reaches a height of 30 metres. It is this structure that gives it all its magnificence and beauty, making it one of the most imposing Portuguese aqueducts. The Convento de Cristo Aqueduct has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

13.30 - Picnic lunch or Free time for lunch

15h00 - Visit to the Levada Cultural Complex

15.15 - Visit to the Old Tomar Foundry

15.45 - Visit to the Match Museum

16.30 - City tour and Mouchão Park or possibility of visiting the Convent of Christ and Tomar Synagogue

19h45 - Suggested Group Dinner

16th November (Sunday)

9.30 a.m. - Scheduled start time for the walk

Walking along the meanders of the River Nabão and Agroal

Points of interest:

- Agroal River Beach
- Agroal Walkways
- Fulvio-Carstic Canyon of the Nabão Valley
- Mendacha River Beach
- Former weir of the Ponte de Cavaleiros factory
- Tailor's Mill
- Chapel of Our Lady of Lapas
- Natural landscapes

Distance: 11 kilometres

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

Estimated duration: 3h30m

The River Nabão

A tributary of the right bank of the River Zêzere. It rises in the centre of the region, at Olhos de Água, and runs southwards through the whole of the municipality of Tomar, passing through the city and flowing into the River Zêzere. The Agroal site is home to a perennial spring with a large flow that feeds the River Nabão. Agroal is home to the largest spring on the River Nabão, which flows from Middle Jurassic limestone with a flow of around 1,000 l/s and an average temperature of 16ºC. This spring is much appreciated for its cold waters, reputed to be thermal. In the city of Tomar, there is also the area known as Levada de Tomar, where there is a building complex with a significant chronological horizon, from the medieval period, through the modern period, to the contemporary period. Its origins date back to the end of the 12th century and, with a complex succession of spatial and technological contexts, its industrial activity continued until the end of the 20th century (and, in one of the workshops in that complex, it continued until the beginning of the 21st century). This building complex is adjacent to the River Nabão.

13.30 - Picnic lunch or Free time for lunch

15.30 - Visit to Almourol Castle

16h45 - End of activity and return to Lisbon

Equipment: Suitable footwear and clothing for nature walks

Registration fee:

Price includes:

- Transport by bus or coach from Lisbon to each of the places described above
- Transport to the locations of each walk and accommodation
- Accommodation with breakfast included - 4-star hotel
- The proposed accommodation option includes various room types
- Guided Walks
- Compulsory insurance

Prices with transport

Price in double room: 190€
Price in single room: 220€

Values without transport

Price in double room: 140€
Price in single room: 170€

Seat reservation fee: 50€

Prices valid until 31st August. From that date onwards the prices are 215€ and 245€ respectively.

Notes: 

a) Registrations are limited and accommodation options are limited to availability at the time of booking.

b) If you have a group interested in this trip, contact us, we have personalised solutions.

- Mouchão Park - Nabão River - Nossa Senhora da Piedade Hermitage - Pegões Aqueduct and Water House - Republic Square - St John the Baptist Church João Baptista - Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Conceição - Tomar Pillory - 7 Montes National Forest - Convent of Christ and Tomar Castle - Panoramic Swing - Agroal River Beach - Agroal Walkways - Nabão Valley Fulvio-Carstic Canyon - Mendacha River Beach - Old Ponte de Cavaleiros Factory Dam - Alfaiate Mill - Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Lapas - Almourol Castle - Natural landscapes -