Let yourself be carried away by adventure
With approximately 8 km in length, the PR1 CVL – Schist Trail of Sobral de São Miguel starts in the centre of the village.
Right after the first ascent, it is possible to observe the surrounding landscape with the mountains that define the scenery, especially the Serra da Estrela.
On the descent, one can admire the corrals and the imposing terraces. Walking among chestnut trees, pines and scrubland, we reach the majestic Vale das Vacas Waterfall, a natural wonder.
In the final stretch of the trail, we pass through the shepherds’ path and walk along the Cabrieira stream, observing the cultivated fields and their irrigation systems.
With approximately 8.4 km, the PR8 CVL – Cherry Tree Route starts and ends at the Cherry Interpretation Centre, right in the centre of the village of Ferro.
Explore the scenic paths through the vast cherry orchards that dominate the rural landscape of Cova da Beira. As a backdrop, the imposing slopes of Serra da Estrela, overlooking the city of Covilhã, are a constant presence.
This circular route is accessible to most people and partially coincides with the Way of Saint James and with a variant of the Zêzere Grand Route that crosses the parish.
With approximately 14.8 km, the PR9 CVL – Chestnut Tree Route starts and ends at the Cherry Interpretation Centre, right in the centre of the village of Ferro.
Set off to discover Serra do Ferro, its centuries-old chestnut trees and vast biodiversity. You can traverse its entire ridge, with privileged views over Cova da Beira and Serra da Estrela, or opt for one of its two variants to shorten the walk.
At the top of the mountain, in addition to the magnificent surrounding landscapes, you can also visit the Adufe Stone or the Castro das Sesmarias, remnants of a millenary occupation of this territory.
With approximately 9.3 km, the PR10 CVL – Monte Serrano Route starts and ends at the Cherry Interpretation Centre, right in the centre of the village of Ferro.
Explore the agricultural landscapes and irrigation of Cova da Beira at the foot of Serra do Ferro. As a backdrop, the imposing slope of Serra da Estrela, overlooking the city of Covilhã, remains a constant presence.
This circular route is accessible to most people and partially coincides with the Way of Saint James and with a variant of the Zêzere Grand Route that crosses the parish.
With this route you will discover not only the locality of Monte Serrano but also enjoy unique views of Cova da Beira, understanding first-hand the importance of irrigation for the parish’s economic activity.
The PR11 CVL – Star Gate is a linear route that entirely follows the T14 Crossing of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park (PNSE) and the Grand Route of the Estrela Geopark.
This route connects the city of Covilhã, considered the main gateway to Serra da Estrela, to the central massif of the park, ending at the Snow Clearing Centre in Piornos.
Characterised by a steep gradient, this route is of high difficulty, functioning as a connection between the main tourist services in the region and the various existing pedestrian route networks. It plays a key role in the structuring of walking opportunities in Covilhã and Serra da Estrela.
Along the route, it is possible to appreciate various geological formations and landscapes of great natural value, such as Pedra do Urso, Alto das Piçarrinhas, the National Forest, and the recently renovated Carqueijais Viewpoint, offering privileged panoramic views of the valley.
The PR15 CVL – Thermal Waters Route is a circular walking route designed for those looking to discover Serra da Estrela, providing an immersive experience in the wild nature of the region.
This moderately difficult route follows an extensive set of old paths and canadas across the Vale da Estrela, offering the opportunity to explore the significant heritage of the village of Unhais. The landscape features elements of vernacular architecture linked to traditional pastoral activity. With the backdrop of some of the highest points of the mountain range, the route includes points of interest such as the Fonte da Saúde, the Estrela River, the Poisos Site, the Unhais canadas, and the Alforfa River.
The PR16 CVL – Unhais Canadas Route is a challenging route linking the village of Unhais da Serra to the highest point in mainland Portugal, traversing paths and canadas used by shepherds.
The Unhais da Serra Canadas are an ancient heritage strongly associated with transhumance, connecting the village to mountain pastures. This route challenges you to travel along canadas and paths through the Alforfa river valley, one of the first to harness its waters for electricity production, before ascending to the glacial cirque and reaching the Torre plateau.
Discover the secrets of the Cortes Valley with the PR17 CVL – Bridges Route. Bridges, water mills, presses, aqueducts, wells, and natural pools come together with a unique stream to provide a surprising route at every turn.
The route follows rural paths and is accessible, though it may present technical difficulties, especially with wet terrain, as much of it runs on irregular paths.
It’s recommended to take your time to fully enjoy all the wells and pools along the way. However, near Bouça, it is possible to significantly shorten the route to suit the available time.
The PR18 CVL – Saltipilha Route largely follows what was a railway for wagons transporting geological material extracted from various galleries to washing stations.
In the late 19th century, this area saw the discovery of tungsten deposits in Panasqueira and the creation of the Panasqueira Mining Concession. Since then, mining has been a constant activity, with many generations of families working in the mines.
The route takes you through areas with a strong associative and community spirit, showcasing the history and social reality of the region. The path passes through former workers’ neighborhoods, a pool, and a cinema.
The PR19 CVL – Mining Route follows old paths that connected two of the main mining poles of the Panasqueira Mining Concession, Barroca Grande and Panasqueira.
These were used as communication routes for workers from surrounding villages, who either worked directly in the mines or mined on their own land.
This is a linear route, with an option for a complementary variant for a swim in the Cebola River, a clear stream from the foothills of Serra do Açor. However, be aware that the variant involves steep ascents and descents. Along the way, you will find abundant evidence of past and present mining activity.
The PR20 CVL – Argemela Route is a circular route with moderate to high difficulty.
On the way to the Castro da Argemela, halfway up the slope, you will pass by a deactivated mining complex, the “Mina da Companhia Inglesa”, with a privileged view of the village of Barco, where the Argemela Interpretation Center is located.
Near the Castro da Argemela, classified as a Site of Municipal Interest, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire tectonic rift of the Cova da Beira, the southern and eastern slopes of Serra da Estrela, and to the north, the Zêzere River. A stimulating and engaging route, crossing multiple eras and heritage.
Following ancient Roman roads, crossing rivers and streams, and ascending the most challenging slopes, discovering this territory through the paths of the Grande Rota das Aldeias Históricas de Portugal (GR22) on foot or by bike is an unforgettable journey.
The GR22 – Grande Rota das Aldeias Históricas de Portugal links the 12 Historic Villages of Portugal through stages, in a circular route of about 600 kilometers.
It holds the Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe seal awarded by the European Ramblers Association, which highlights the best hiking destinations in Europe. The route is also homologated as a Great MTB Crossing by the Portuguese Cycling Federation. Along with its cultural monumental richness, the GR22 passes through some of the most beautiful natural parks in Portugal, classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Douro International Natural Park, the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, the Tejo International Natural Park, and the Serra da Estrela Natural Park. It also offers river beaches, tranquility, and unique experiences.
The Zêzere River valley is part of the Schist Villages territory and one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the country. The creation of the GRZ – Grande Rota do Zêzere (GR33) was designed to allow users to experience a closer connection with this natural heritage.
The route is divided into nine coherent sections that reflect the characteristics of the river and its surroundings.
The entire length of GRZ can be done on foot (7 stages) or by MTB (1 stage).
With 55.7 km, the second section of the GRZ, titled “Irrigating the Cova da Beira,” connects Valhelhas, in the municipality of Guarda, to the Barco Rest Area, in the municipality of Covilhã.
The route passes through Vale Formoso, Borralheira, Ponte Alvares, Tortosendo, and Peso. This section reflects the characteristics of the river and its environment and is designed to be multimodal, suitable for both walking and biking.
The PR12 CVL – Forest Route is a circular route that follows easy paths, aiming to explore the natural heritage on-site, highlighting the historical connection between the city of Covilhã and Serra da Estrela.
Starting from the Alexandre Aibéu Park, you will explore the valleys of the Carpinteira and Goldra rivers (also known as the Pisões river), discovering the area of the city’s National Forest.
Along the way, the connection between the water running here and the wool industry is clear, allowing you to discover old factories, renovated buildings, chimneys, and place names related to this activity.
The PR21 CVL – Bread and Serra Route takes you along the slopes of the Serra, revisiting various stages of bread-making, from the fields where cereals were once sown, to the mills where grinding occurred, to the communal ovens where bread was baked.
