In order to serve you better, we recommend that you make your reservation 48 hours in advance, as the products included in the snack are not always available and can only be made to order.
Itinerary:
Start your journey at the “Caldeirão” Dam Car Park.
Climb to the top of the “Mocho Real” Viewpoint to be dazzled by the view of the surrounding landscape… The adventure has begun! A great challenge awaits! … about five hundred wooden steps… always going down! On the descent into the depths of the Mondego Valley, enjoy the imposing “Caldeirão” waterfall, which reveals its rare beauty. Then, cross the ancient Roman bridge of the “Mizarela” and observe the natural sculptures left by the waters. Follow the trail past old wool yarn and fabric factories and learn how the traditional Papa's Blanket was woven and used. Get to know the oldest electricity factory in the City of Guarda – the “Pateiro” Hydroelectric Power Plant and the ingenious solutions that allow to move its turbines. Learn the stories of the exploitation of black gold that allowed us to feed several families during World War II.
Enjoy a pleasant snack with traditional products handmade by locals without dyes or preservatives, recognised as EcoFood by the UNESCO World “Estrela” Geopark.
Already refreshed, dare to cross some breathtaking suspension bridges. At the end of this route, enjoy the stories of the ancestral flour mills that are housed in the “Moinhos” stream, a tributary of the “Mondego” River.
Finish the route at the “Videmonte” car park, where you can take a taxi that will take you back to the “Caldeirão” Dam, the starting point of this adventure.
On warm days you can enjoy a refreshing bath in the calm waters of the largest river 100% Portuguese. Don't forget to bring your suit and bath towel.
Total distance of the route: 12 Km, one-way
Accumulated slope: 600 m;
Difficulty: Moderate (level 2/3 of 5 - MIDE);