This activity proposal aims to provide a weekend in the Serra da Freita, right in the heart of this mountain range, with unobstructed views from 1000 metres above sea level, with deep valleys and steep cliffs, along streams and waterfalls, on rural paths and footpaths that delight hikers. With a walk in Arouca and visits to the region's main viewpoints, as well as the local gastronomy. Come and join us for another event full of nature and beautiful landscapes not to be missed!

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

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023

Saturday 14th October

10am - Planned start time of the walk

Walking the Postman and Black Gold Route

Points of interest:

- Village of Rio de Frades
- Village of Cabreiros
- Little stream bridge
- Village of Tebilhão
- Streams and waterfalls
- Ribeira da Pena Amarela
- Yellow Feather Mines
- Pedrogão Village
- Natural landscapes

Distance: 12 Km

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

Expected duration: 6.00am

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

16h30-Visit to the Senhora da Mó viewpoint
17h30 - Tour of Arouca
20h00 - Group dinner

The Postman's Way

As the name suggests, this is the route taken by the postman to take the mail to the villages of Cabreiros, Tebilhão and Rio de Frades. During the Second World War, these routes were largely crossed in the wake of the tungsten trade, of which the mining villages are still living testimonies. The square of the village of Rio de Frades or the Carreira de Moinhos de Tebilhão are the two possible starting points for this route, which is linear. While you enjoy the scenery, listen to the water flowing in the various rivers and streams that cross the path.

Walking the Black Gold Route

The chapel of Santa Catarina de Fuste or the town of Rio de Frades are the two ways to enter the «Black Gold Route». Along the route that centres on the tungsten mines of Rio de Frades, which were extensively exploited by the Germans during the Second World War, you'll find the waters of the Pena Amarela and Covela streams, excellent places for canyoning. In addition to the village of Rio de Frades, Pedrógão is worth a stop to recharge your batteries.

15th October (Sunday)

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

Walking the Freita Route

Points of interest:

- Merujal
- Viewpoint and Geosite S, Pedro Velho
- Pedra Brôa
- Detrelo da Malhada viewpoint (1100 metres above sea level)
- Albergaria da Serra
- Sanctuary of Mrs da Lage
- Natural Landscapes

In the heart of Freita, from the Pedras Parideiras to the Miradouros“ walk”

This walking route starts in the area in front of the campsite and runs mostly on the Freita plateau. It climbs up to the geosite of S. Pedro Velho, an imposing viewpoint from where you can see the entire ocean coast from Ria de Aveiro to Porto, the Gerês mountain range, the Larouco mountain range (Montalegre!), Srª da Graça, Marão, Montemuro, Estrela and Caramulo. You can see half of Portugal from there!

Then it descends to Albergaria and, along the levada do regadio, to the Ribeira a Foz and further on you reach the highest point of the Serra da Freita at Detrelo da Malhada, 1100 metres above sea level. It runs along the ridge with the grandiose Arouca valley in the background. To the north-west, Porto, “so close”. Continuing west, you pass the wind farm substation, the antennae, the radar. Once you reach the Vale da Raiz picnic area, you're back on the ridge that you follow until it ends at the municipal road, with the village of Merujal and the Srª da Lage sanctuary in the background.

Level of difficulty of the route: 3 (Scale from 1 to 5)
Route length: 12 kilometres
Expected duration: 4h00

14h00 - Picnic in Merujal 

15h - Visit to the Frecha da Mizarela viewpoint
15h30 - End of activity and return to Lisbon

- Bed and breakfast in a 3-star hotel
- Group dinner
- 3 Walks
- Group dinner
- The proposed accommodation option includes various room types
- Guided Walks
- Compulsory insurance

Values without transport

Price in double room: 140€
Price in single room: 160€

Prices with transport

Price in double room: 190€
Price in single room: 210€

Seat reservation fee: 50€

- Village of Rio de Frades - Cabreiros - Waterfalls and streams - Tebilhão - Stream and mines of Pena Amarela - Pedrogão - Fuste - S. Pedro Velho viewpoint - Pedra Borôa - Waterfall - Frecha da Mizarela - Detrelo da Malhada viewpoint - Sra da Mó viewpoint - Arouca - Natural landscapes -