After lately realizing that I would like extra nature in my life, we determined to spend a while outdoors of Lisbon. As a digital nomad, I felt fortunate that I may simply decide up and go, understanding that I can nonetheless get work executed alongside the way in which.
So we checked out a number of vacation spot choices. However then a buddy beneficial the world round Serra da Estrela Nationwide Park and we instantly cherished the thought. I truthfully suppose we put this Portugal highway journey collectively in about 10 minutes. We merely needed to get out into nature and if a buddy mentioned this space was price visiting, that was adequate. We booked a rental automobile and a resort and 4 days later we have been prepared.
The journey proved to be PERFECT. And I’m satisfied that anybody trying to take pleasure in a while within the countryside of Portugal visiting small villages, climbing by spectacular nature, respiratory within the contemporary air and consuming some actually good meals, ought to head to this area as properly.
Right here’s precisely what we did…
Day 1: Lisbon to Manteigas (the Portugal highway journey begins)
We picked up our rental automobile within the middle of Lisbon. I used Sixt automobile rental, which I’ve used earlier than in Portugal. It’s all the time been dependable, simple and inexpensive in my expertise. On condition that we have been headed into the mountains, I went with an SUV in order that we’d really feel a bit safer. It value 40€ per day together with insurance coverage.
After which, off we went on this Portugal highway journey!
- Left Lisbon at 2:00pm and started the drive north.
- Drove by way of the A1 and A23 highways, had a failed try and discover a good place for a espresso break within the city of Entroncamento, after which continued.
- On the city of Malpique, we left the freeway and took N232, a windy highway that went by picturesque villages, with spectacular mountain surroundings as properly.
- 40 minutes later we arrived within the small mountain village of Manteigas.
- Checked in on the Lodge Berne (easy, however nice rooms with views out over the city and valley, glorious breakfast and really simple to park right here, which is uncommon in these elements with all of the slender roads).
- Walked into city and ate at Restaurante Paragem Serradalto, one of many few eating places open. We had some bread, cheese, olives, trout and native wine.
- Then we walked again to the resort and promptly fell asleep.
Day 2: Manteigas to Serra da Estrela + 2 hikes
After breakfast on the resort, we began our time out and about at 10:30am…
- Drove alongside Rua da Lapa, heading south after which on to the very slender N338 that went alongside the Zezere River.
- Loved the attractive surroundings of the Glacial Valley of Zezere subsequent to us.
- Arrived at Covao d’Ametade Park for a fast stroll to a few of the valley viewing areas.
- Continued driving one other quarter-hour to the Serra da Estrela Nationwide Park.
- Stopped on the spectacular lookouts alongside the way in which.
- Did the 1 hour hike all the way down to Covao do Meio (picturesque synthetic mountain lake).
- Drove to Torre, the very best mountain peak within the Serra da Estrela mountain peak (and highest level on mainland Portugal).
- Ate contemporary sandwiches for lunch whereas sitting on a rock overlooking the gorgeous mountain vary.
- Drove 20 minutes to Lagoa Comprida (Comprida Lake) which is the beginning of one other nice climbing path.
- 3 hour return hike to Covao dos Conchos (a synthetic lake with a weird tunnel within the center – the hike was simple/average and handed by some actually lovely landscapes all the approach – extremely beneficial!).
- Drove again to Manteigas alongside N339 and N232, two unbelievable mountain roads that provided fixed breathtaking views (together with vibrant inexperienced pastures full of big, scattered boulders).
Day 3: Manteigas to Covilha + forest hike
Trying to head in a special path, we researched a number of different close by cities to go to. In the long run, we landed on Covilhas for no actual purpose apart from it appeared attention-grabbing. And so the Portugal highway journey continued, and off we went at 10:30am…
- Drove 45 minutes to Covilha alongside the N338 and N339 mountain roads.
- Visited the Santa Maria Maior church which is roofed in blue and white tiles.
- Walked everywhere in the middle of city and located a ton of attention-grabbing murals on the perimeters of buildings (try the small lanes!).
- Had a espresso on the cafe within the Public Backyard of Covilha, overlooking the remainder of the city under.
- Lunch at Alkimya (nice restaurant with scrumptious meals, a singular environment and an fantastic proprietor/waiter).
- Drove again in direction of Manteigas alongside a special route (N18 to N232) that led us to the very high of the mountains behind Manteigas.
- Utilizing AllTrails app once more, we did this 1 hour forest hike (Rotas das Faias) on the high of the mountain (good surroundings by a pine forest).
- Returned to the resort by way of loopy windy highway that led straight into city.
- Dinner at Lodge Berne.
Day 4: Manteigas to Piodao
With a full day to go to someplace a bit farther away, we determined to do some extra climbing. So we appeared on the AllTrails app (exhibits all of the strolling/climbing trails in an space) and settled on what gave the impression to be a really perfect hike within the Serra do Açor protected area. The principle focus of the hike was the midway level – the tiny mountain village of Piodao.
We left Manteigas at 9:30am and started the day.
- Drove to Serra da Estrela Nationwide Park and straight throughout till we reached the N338, which took us to the city of Vide.
- From Vide, we drove to the village of Foz de Egua on CM1134 (one other unbelievable highway scenery-wise, however bumpy and slender!).
- We parked within the village of Foz de Egua.
- Started our hike to Piodao village following the AllTrails map.
- The hike was simple/average and took 1.5 hours (shock, shock – the surroundings was attractive, with plenty of cows and sheep, bushes, valleys and contemporary air – it was the most effective hikes I’ve taken in a protracted, very long time).
- Reached the actually quaint village of Piodao and had lunch on the glorious O Photo voltaic dos Pachecos.
- Walked everywhere in the village, by all of the slender lanes (actually engaging village!).
- Continued our hike alongside the Japanese path again to Foz de Egua.
- This a part of the hike was simple, principally downhill and tremendous nice (it took about 45 minutes to achieve the suspension bridge on the finish).
- We climbed up the steps to the highest of Foz de Egua (the place our automobile was parked alongside the highway).
- Returned to Manteigas by way of the craziest route we drove on throughout this journey (SEE THE MAP BELOW!).
- Watch out with this route as there’s a very slender 3km stretch that’s grime solely and brings you proper up near the sting, with an enormous drop-off into the valley!
- We stopped for a view and celebrated being alive after the harrowing drive.
- Arrived again in Manteigas at 5:00pm.
- We tried to go to the new springs on the Termas de Manteigas Lodge however they have been totally booked (if you happen to e book advance, this is able to be a good way to complete the day!).
- Dinner again at Lodge Berne.
Day 5: Manteigas to Lisbon (the top of our Portugal highway journey)
On at the present time, we returned to Lisbon. It was a straightforward day as we left Manteigas at 10:00am and arrived again on the Sixt automobile rental location within the coronary heart of Lisbon at 1:30pm. As quickly as we entered the town although, we immediately needed to show round and head again out in direction of the peaceable, therapeutic countryside. Fortunately, in Portugal, such locations, and their advantages, are by no means far-off.
