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Serra de Estrela walking tour
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Duration?
8-day Serra da Estrela Walking Holiday
style :
Level :
Duration :
8 days
Comfort :
period:
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Code:
PTSW020
Walking
price in double room from: € 618
8-day Serra da Estrela Walking Holiday

8-day Serra da Estrela Walking Holiday

Self-guided Portugal's highest mountain range walking tour

  • Serra da Estrela: Portugal’s highest mountain range
  • Surprising rock formations, lush valleys, waterfalls and authentic alpine villages. 
  • A Natural Park with the highest summits in Portugal 
  • An excellent network of way-marked walking paths 
  • Accommodation situated in or near Medieval villages
  • 1 night at a luxurious “quinta” or country estate
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Serra de Estrela walking map
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ROUTE

Start: Celorico da Beira     Finish: São Romão

Day 1: Arrival in Celorico da Beira
Day 2: From Celorico da Beira to Linhares along the Serra do Ralo (16 km / 10 mi)
Day 3: From Folgosinho to Manteigas (21 km / 13 mi)
Day 4: Circular Route from Manteigas to Poço do Inferno or rest day (14km / 8,5mi)
Day 5: Circular Route from Manteigas or rest day (14 km / 8,5 mi)
Day 6: From La Torre to Loriga (18 - 12 km / 11 - 7,5 mi)
Day 7: From Loriga to São Romão (19 km / 12 mi)
Day 8: End of Arrangement

Day 1:    Arrival in Celorico da Beira

From Porto Airport, you take the metro to the city centre. Then you get a bus from Porto to the historic village of Celorico da Beira. The journey takes about 4 hours. Upon arrival, there is still time to explore this historical town, its castle and Medieval walls. 

Challenge: Travel to Serra da Estrela

Villages along the way: Celorico da Beira

Day 2:    From Celorico da Beira to Linhares along the Serra do Ralo (16 km / 10 mi)

Today's route begins in Celorico da Beira, traversing open areas with magnificent views to reach the top of the Serra do Ralo. With the hum of windmills from above, you will enjoy sweeping panoramic views before starting the descent to Linhares. On the way down, you will walk through pine forests, holm oak woods and wide pastures. Once in the medieval village of Linhares we recommend visiting its castle, the Roman Forum and royal houses built by the aristocracy, scattered throughout the town. 

Challenge: 16 km / 10 mi, 5.5 - 6 hrs, 620 m ascent, 350 m descent

Villages along the way: Celorico da Beira, Linhares, Folgosinho

Day 3:    From Folgosinho to Manteigas (21 km / 13 mi)

After breakfast you have a taxi transfer to the beginning of today's route, in Folgosinho or the chapel at Nossa Senhora de Assedasse (luggage continues to your next accommodation in Manteigas). This walk is more demanding than the previous one, and the sections in ascent and descent are rewarded with spectacular views. You traverse a remote area, with no villages along the way, and will need to enough carry water and provisions for the whole day. The first section is a steep ascent from Folgosinho, along an old Roman Road that ascends through a valley. When you reach the highest point, Portella do Folgosinho, you’ll have views to Pico de La Torre. Continuing through nearly deserted valleys and richly diverse forests, the route ends with a steep descent to Manteigas, a lovely village situated in a lush glacier valley beneath high peaks and full of small shops and cafes.

Challenge: 21 km / 13 mi, 6.5 - 7 h, 700 m ascent, 550 m descent

Villages along the way: Folgosinho, Manteigas

Day 4:    Circular Route from Manteigas to Poço do Inferno or rest day (14km / 8,5mi)

For the next two days you will explore the heart of the Serra de Estrella from your base in Manteigas. Today you can choose between a well-deserved rest day, with a visit to the local trout farm, or a trip to the impressive waterfall at ‘Poço do Inferno’ (the Devil’s Well), walking through Buraco Valley with its strange rock formations. A varied and changing landscape with beautiful wooded sections and magnificent views.

Challenge: 14 km / 8,5 mi, 6 - 6.5 hrs, 650 m ascent and descent

Villages along the way: Manteigas

Day 5:    Circular Route from Manteigas or rest day (14 km / 8,5 mi)

A lovely walk awaits today, to the north of Manteigas. Starting off in ascent, you follow a historic route protected by the shade of a pine forest, to reach Pousada de São Lorenço, (elevation 1290 m) with stunning views of Manteigas Valley. Next you follow a dirt track through open terrain and vast colourful farmland. Finally, another descent - with more shade - leads back to Manteigas. 

Challenge: 14 km / 8,5 mi, 6 - 6.5 hrs, 630 m ascent and descent

Villages along the way: Manteigas

Day 6:    From La Torre to Loriga (18 - 12 km / 11 - 7,5 mi)

Today you choose between 2 options:

The first option traverses the beautiful glacial valley of Zézere, which leads to La Torre, and you walk through valleys, mountain meadows and forest tracks. At the end of your route, you have an included taxi transfer to your next accommodation, situated in the beautiful mountain village of Loriga.

Challenge: 18 km / 11 mi, 6 hrs, 835 m ascent, 110 m descent

The second option begins with a short transfer to La Torre recreation area. This strategic location (at 1993 m, the highest summit in Portugal) provides magnificent views. You will enter the granite massif of Serra da Estrella, a whole different world with wide glacial valleys which recall the last Ice Age. Your route begins with a gradual descent from La Torre toward the western sector of the Natural Park. Traversing high pastures, narrow lanes, abrupt peaks and crystal-clear lakes, you make your way back to the lovely village of Loriga.

Challenge: 12 km / 7,5 mi, 4.5 - 5 hrs, 50 m ascent, 1230 m descent

Villages along the way: Loriga

Day 7:    From Loriga to São Romão (19 km / 12 mi)

The last walking route on this programme leads inland through wooded areas, passing typical villages clinging to the slopes of the “Mountains of the Stars”. On your way you will pass two interesting sites: Más Tumba and Cabeça da Velha, before you reach the pleasant village of São Romão, with several chapels. Your accommodation for tonight is a renovated traditional “Quinta”, now a beautiful hotel with swimming pool, situated just outside the village.

Challenge: 19 km / 12 mi, 6.5 - 7 hrs, 775 m ascent, 550 m descent

Villages along the way: Loriga, Seia, São Romão

Day 8:    End of Arrangement

Your arrangement comes to an end today after breakfast.

Challenge: Departure from Portugal.

STANDARD HOTELS

All hotels of this trip are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. Accommodations are located in or near Medieval villages. All rooms are en-suite.
You can find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, then we will book a similar one for you and inform you about the alternative booked.

Extra nights:
You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way.

 

Casa do Castelo (Celorico da Beira)
Casa do Castelo (Celorico da Beira)

Casa do Castelo de Celorico is a comfortable stone house located in the bucolic village of Celorico da Beira.

Hotel Inatel Linhares *** (Linhares da Beira)
Hotel Inatel Linhares (Linhares da Beira)

Located in a historical village situated in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela mountains that takes pride in its imposing, powerful castle, whose architecture is essentially military in style. The hotel has 26 welcoming and fully equipped rooms. Meeting room, swimming pool, tennis court, Wi-Fi and private parking.

www.inatellinhares.pt

Hotel Berne
Hotel Berne

With a quiet and a welcoming atmosphere this hotel is perfect to escape from routine and to rest in harmony with nature. The hotel has 17 rooms with balconies with mountain views. The rooms are comfortable and their are decorated in a basic but nice way. the restaurant has large windows and panoramic views and it offers a good quality gastronomy including many typical Portuguese specialities as well as international ones. 

www.hotelberne.com

Hotel O Vicente
Hotel O Vicente

This accommodation is 800 meters from the river beach – Loriga. Located in the middle of the Serra da Estrela park, at an altitude of 770 meters, O Vicente is a family-style accommodation with views of the Serra da Estrela and the village of Loriga.

https://www.ovicente.com/

Quinta do Crestelo
Quinta do Crestelo

The property of 18 ha in which this hotel is located spreads along a green valley surrounded by oak forests and with three streams running through it. The hotel is in a former farm that was restored maintainig its original personality.

www.quintadocrestelo.pt

PRACTICAL INFO

You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April and October.

The nearest airports to Serra da Estela are: Porto airport (OPO) and Lisbon airport (LIS)

Arrival in Celorico da Beira

From Porto Airport (OPO), you take the Metro or Bus to O Porto city centre. There is a direct bus run by Rede Expressos. You can also take the Metro (line E to “Trinidade” stop) where you change to line D direction “D. João I”. Get off at the second stop and follow signs to the bus terminal “Rede Expressos” in Rua Alexandre Herculano.

From the bus station in Porto, take a bus to the historic village of Celorico da Beira (2.5 - 3 hours). More info at www.rede-expressos.pt

From Lisbon Airport (LIS). Get a shuttle bus to Sete Rios Bus Station in Lisbon city (line 96). You can also take a taxi. From the bus station take a bus to Celorico da Beirawith the company Rede Expressos (4.5 - 5 hours trip).

Departure from Sao Romao

To Porto airport from Seia: Take the bus from Seia to Coimbra (direction “Lisboa”), where you change buses to connect to O Porto. From Porto bus station take a bus or taxi to the airport 

To Lisbon airport from Seia:Take a bus from Seia to Lisbon, most combinations require you to change buses in Coimbra). Around 4.5 to 5 hours trip. From Lisbon bus station there’s a shuttle service to the airport. 

 

GPS tracks are available on request.

INCLUDED

Included

  • 7 nights´accommodation with breakfasts
  • Luggage transfer according to program
  • Private transfers according to programme on Days 2, 3, 6 & 7
  • Digital detailed route notes and maps in English
  • Access to the trip on our navigation app
  • 24-hour telephone assistance

Not included

  • Lunches and dinners
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Tourist Tax
  • Transfers by public transportation 
  • Transfer to first/ from last accommodation
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, phone calls, additional transfers, etc.
  • Any items not especifically mentioned in this program

Extras

  • Extra night/s at any of the accommodations of the programme
  • Single Room Supplement(s)
  • Solo Traveller Supplement
  • Shipment of printed documents to the first accommodation
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