Serra da Estrela: a chain of beautiful mountains
Serra da Estrela is a mountain range of rare beauty, where you can intensely experience the silence of the heights. Whether in summer or winter, the highest mountain in mainland Portugal is the ideal place to spend a few days discovering breathtaking places in contact with relaxing nature. Discover a nature with a great variety of vegetation, many birds and also flocks of sheep guided by mountain dogs, for more information visit our website.
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1. Tower
The Tower is seven meters high and completes the 1 993 meters high of Serra da Estrela. It was built on the highest point in Portugal (located in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park), on the peak of Malhão da Estrela. There are wonderful viewpoints and you get a panorama of the incredible landscape of the valley and the rocks, a mixture of schist and granite, completed with the blue of the rivers. In summer and on a clear day, it is even possible to see the sea from Figueira da Foz beach.
Those who go to the Tower during the winter months go there for the snow. This is the real reason why every year a large number of tourists cross the steep and winding mountain roads to get there. However, note that these roads are quite dangerous at any time but be especially careful in winter. Roads to the summit will be blocked during some days of heavy snow.
A restaurant and a small shopping center have been built next to the tower. There are vendors selling handicrafts, souvenirs and local products such as the famous Serra da Estrela cheese, honey, bread and sausages. A small winter sports resort has been built into a hillside and has a cable car, the largest in Portugal.
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2. Well of Broca – Barriosa
The Poço da Broca waterfall is a waterfall that stands out for its incomparable beauty. It is located on the Alvôco stream, more precisely in the village of Barriosa, in Vide.
This magnificent landscape is the result of man’s intervention when he decided to increase the exploitation of agricultural land. In addition to the benefits for agriculture, these waters began to travel over the rugged terrain, which gave rise to these beautiful waterfalls and deep wells. The local population bathed in these crystal clear waters on festive or hot days. Today, they are an attraction for waterfall and bathing enthusiasts. The water comes straight down from the mountains and is not only pure but also cold.
The humidity of the site has made beautiful plants grow, turning the rocks and part of the watercourse green. A shale water mill is also hidden among the water.
The area has a picnic area and a restaurant, Guarda-Rios, with a terrace overlooking Poço da Broca.
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3. Poço do Inferno – Manteigas
The Well is located at 1,080 meters above sea level and has a waterfall of 10 meters. It crosses the Ribeira de Leandres, ending in the waters of the great river Zêzere. It’s a fascinating site that leads thousands of visitors up the steep and slightly dangerous stairs to see the memorable waterfall up close (be careful!).
There are walking trails. The Poço do Inferno Route crosses the stunning landscapes of Serra da Estrela and takes us to one of the most fascinating geological monuments in the region. The diverse indigenous flora surrounds its visitors and makes this route an experience that empowers all the senses. In summer, the waterfall will not be as impressive as in fall or winter, because the water will be scarce.
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4. Fragão do Corvo Viewpoint
The Fragão do Corvo viewpoint is located near Penhas Douradas, in the municipality of Manteigas, at an altitude of about 1 450 meters. It offers an impressive view and one of the most breathtaking panoramas of Serra da Estrela. The viewpoint is located at the back of a beautiful abandoned red chalet.
From here, you can get an overall view of the town of Manteigas and the glacial Zêzere valley. You can even see the city of Guarda and the mountains of Peña de Francia, Béjar and Gredos in Spain.
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5. Lake Covão dos Conchos
The lake is pierced by a giant hole, which is a wonderful sight for those passing through the Serra da Estrela.
As beautiful as it is, this phenomenon is not natural. This building was built in 1955. The perfectly round, waterfall-like hole sinks into the center of the earth and is, in fact, an artificial dam. The tank reaches the surface of the lake. The waters of the lake flow continuously towards it. It is the beginning of a tunnel designed to transfer water from the Ribeira das Naves River to another lagoon, Lagoa Comprida, located 600 meters above sea level in the same mountain range.
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