In this activity proposal, we'll be walking in the idyllic area of Piódão, where we'll be in constant contact with breathtaking landscapes, where the splendour of nature opens up before our eyes in scenes of extraordinary beauty. But as there are many fantastic areas for hiking, we'll start our weekend with a walk in the area of the Santa Luzia Dam and then visit some of the best preserved schist villages, such as the typical village of Janeiro de Baixo, embraced by the River Zêzere and its River Beach, which we'll have the opportunity to discover in detail, Janeiro de Cima and Vidual de Cima, with the beauty of the Poço do Caldeirão. This weekend we will of course have the opportunity to sample the best flavours of the local cuisine. Come and join us!

TIME: Departure from Lisbon at 7am
RETURN: Arrival in Lisbon at 7.30pm

4th February (Saturday)

11am - Estimated time for the start of the walk:

Walking: "Caminho do Xisto da Barragem de Santa Luzia" - municipality of Pampilhosa da Serra

This day's activities include the following points of interest:

• Santa Luzia Dam wall
• Penedos da Mina
• Vidual de Cima
• Caldeirão Well
• River beach / Santa Luzia Dam floating pool
• Casal da Lapa Picnic Park
• Natural landscapes
• etc, etc

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

Route length: 10 kms (includes walks in Vidual de Cima, Janeiro de Baixo and Janeiro de Cima)

Estimated duration: 3h30m

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

3pm - Visit to the villages of Janeiro de Baixo and Janeiro de Cima

8pm - Dinner (suggested group dinner)

Schist Village of Janeiro de Baixo

The Zêzere encountered a tough rocky obstacle here on its course. A windmill carved into the rock greets its arrival. Up ahead you can enjoy it at the campsite or in the river beach with its long stretch of sand. The centre of the village, its church and chapels, feel the envelopment of the river and reassure you with more murmurs of schist that it will receive again in Álvaro and Pedrogão Pequeno. These are the complicities between the Zêzere and the Schist Villages.

Within the village there is a whole range of points of interest that captivate us, from the religious and architectural heritageThis includes the recent infrastructures for welcoming visitors and the curious memory of the "Tronco", a place where animals used to be smithed.

Schist Village of Janeiro de Cima

Janeiro de Cima is located on the left bank of the Zêzere, in an almost flat area surrounded by an extensive blanket of farmland. In the old centre of the village, you walk leisurely through the tangle of winding streets where the houses lean against each other, revealing their characteristic schist façades dotted with round, white pebbles. The wheel of Janeiro de Cima continues to turn and is one of the many places in the village that deserves a visit.

5th February (Sunday)

Village of Piódão

The stunning little Village of Piódão is located on the slopes of one of the many valleys of the Serra do Açor, in the municipality of Arganil, and is Unesco World Heritage Site. A Village of Piódão is known for its schist houses impeccably preserved, with windows and doors painted blue. Surrounded by great landscape interestThe village of Piódão differs from all the other mountain villages in terms of the general appearance of the surrounding area and, above all, the layout and arrangement of the streets, the picturesque houses and the pleasant way its people treat visitors. Walking along the steep schist pavements of Piódão, you can see crosses on doorpostsThese invoke the protection of St Barbara against bad weather. Whitewashed with blue stripes, the Mother Churchor Our Lady of the Conception, stands out against the backdrop.

Foz D' Égua

In the Serra do Açor, near the village of Piódão and after travelling 8 km by road, we come to Foz D'Égua, where the Piódão and Chãs D'Égua streams meet and their course is blocked by a dam, creating a mirror of water and making for a paradisiacal spot in the middle of summer. Still downstream, the Torno stream meets. The site has a natural beauty, and the setting of the two existing bridges, the proximity of two schist mills, a wine press and the blocks of stone carved by the current of the streams, allow it to be used by many tourists.

Estimated start time of the walk: 10am

This day's activities include the following points of interest:

• Village of Piódão
• Piódão River Beach
• Foz D' Égua
• Natural swimming pool (leisure area)
• Natural landscapes and schist paths

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

Route length: 9 kilometres

Estimated duration: 3h30

1pm - Visit to Fraga da Pena

2pm - Lunch

4pm - End of activity and return to Lisbon

Price includes:

- Transport by bus or coach from Lisbon (the programme includes prices with and without transport)
- Accommodation in a 3-star hotel
- Sunday breakfast
- Sunday lunch
- The proposed accommodation option includes various room types
- Guided Walks
- Compulsory insurance

Values without transport

Price in double room: 150€
Price in single room: 175€

Prices with transport

Price in double room: 215€
Price in single room: 240€

Reserve value

Seat reservation fee: 50€