EVENT: Hiking in Serra da Estrela (Lagoons and Nave da Mestra)

DATE OF REALISATION: 15 and 16 February 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 31 JANUARY 2025

EVENT DESCRIPTION: "Walking in Serra da Estrela - Glacier Valley, Lagoons, Conchos and Canyons"

In this activity proposal, we'll hike and visit some of the most fabulous places in Serra da Estrela, such as the fantastic lagoons of the central massif, especially Lagoa dos Conchos and Lagoa Comprida, among others that are less well known. Our programme also includes an excellent hike in the Nave da Mestra area. Accessible only on foot, this former shelter for shepherds and herdsmen holds centuries-old stories of conspiracies and is framed by magnificent natural scenery. To get to Nave da Mestra, also known as Nave da Barca, you have to cross the "Talisca", a crevice in a gigantic cliff. This will be a long weekend full of strong emotions and landscapes to remember for a long time. Come with us!

These will be some of the most important places we'll visit along the various hikes: 

• Rossim Valley Dam
• Vale das Éguas
• Curral do Martins
• Master's ship
• Mondeguinho spring
• Old Man's Head
• Lagoa Comprida, Lagoa do Covão dos Conchos, Lagoa Seca, Lagoa do Covão do Forno, Lagoa Redonda and Lagoa do Covão do Curral
• Natural landscapes

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

Saturday 15th February

Walk: "Walking in the Rossim Valley and Nave da Mestra"

We walk along the trail that takes us towards the geodesic vertex of Penhas Douradas, from where we can see the "Ângela" and "Rasa" Penhas and the beautiful Vale do Rossim Lagoon.

Nave da Mestra is one of those fantastic places in the centre of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park.

It is located in a glacial valley at an altitude of around 1,650 metres, in an isolated spot in the Serra da Estrela that can only be reached on foot. Dominated by a colossal granite block, this site is also known for the fissure that runs through it (talisca da mestra).

In love with the place, a judge from Manteigas (José Pereira de Matos) had a small holiday home built at the base of the large granite block in 1910. Its construction was carried out by labour coming from Manteigas on mules along a path that still exists today, helped by hydraulic jacks used to lift the giant stones, including the one that serves as the house's roof. This work is proven by the inscription that can still be read on the main building above the door, "Dr J.Matos - Barca Hirminius - 1910.

Level of difficulty of the route: 3.5 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 15 kilometres

Estimated duration: 5h30m

- Picnic lunch in a natural setting
- Visit to Mondeguinho (where the Mondego River is born)
- Cabeço do Velho
- Tour of Gouveia
- Group dinner suggestion

16th February (Sunday)

Walking: "Route of the 6 Lagoons - From Lagoa Comprida to Lagoa do Covão dos Conchos"

Covão dos Conchos became famous when earlier this year a series of films recorded with a drone showed the waters of the lagoon rushing into a gigantic funnel and mysteriously disappearing...

The funnel is nothing more than a tunnel built in the 1950s that takes the water collected from the Ribeira das Naves and directs it to the Lagoa Comprida, much further downstream. The tunnel has a crown of 48 metres and is 1,519 metres long.

After the "discovery" of the Conchos funnel, a video was published showing beautiful images of the hole sucking water from the lagoon, as if it were something new and hadn't been there for six decades. As curiosity attracts crowds, the route from Lagoa Comprida to the dam is travelled by many people who want to get a closer look at what almost seems to be the ninth wonder of the world.

And the truth is that this place is beautiful and well worth a visit, but it's not the only one. The whole mountain range is marvellous and to appreciate all its beauty there's nothing like abandoning the main roads, leaving the comfort of the car and heading into the mountains on foot along the trails and paths that exist in the mountain range. Access to Covão dos Conchos is on foot via a road that starts from Lagoa Comprida and alternates between reasonable and difficult, with lots of loose stones that get in the way. It's about 5 kilometres, but there's plenty of fresh air and reasons for interest...

Level of difficulty of the route: 4 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 9 kilometres

Estimated duration: 3h30m

- Picnic lunch in a natural setting
- Stop at some tourist attractions

15h00 - 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 - 3-star hotel
- The proposed accommodation option includes various room types
- Guided Walks
- Compulsory insurance

185€ (Price per person in a double room)
220€ (Price per person in single room)
Entry fee for seat reservation: 50€

Prices valid until 15th January. From this date onwards the prices are 205€ and 240€ 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.