The walk starts at the Parque de Merandes de Lagoa do Fanhais and from there we walk through the woods of the Lagoa Fanhai area. Most of the time we walk on sandy tracks.
Timing
The walk is about 5,2 km and is expected to take about 1,5 to 2 hours
Car meeting 10:00
Place
Coordinates
The parking in front of Jorge Vieira shop in Valado dos Frades from where we drive to the walk start point.
Jorge Vieira shop location is as follows: coming from Nazaré take the direction Valado do Frades – Alcobaça via N8-5 , also called Estrada de Nazaré , once you reach a round-about followed very quickly by a larger one , take the fouth exit and soon you will see the building of Jorge Vieira (garden center).
This historical route starts near the tile panel depicting the Battle of Roliça
The route takes you towards the 1st French position, in a small elevation to the north, to head from there to Columbeira. After you leave this village, you have the option to shorten the walk, following the PR1.1 variant alongside the Zambujeira River. Continuing the main route, you begin the ascent to the Picoto Mountains, where you can pay your respects to the tomb of Lieutenant Colonel Lake and discover the 2nd French position. From the Picoto viewpoint, you can look at the surrounding area and gather your strength to return to the route’s starting point through the rural paths and agricultural landscape geometrically designed by human activity. These paths were once crossed by hundreds of soldiers.
The Battle of Roliça was the first battle of the Peninsular War on Portuguese soil, taking place on August 17, 1808. On the morning of that day, Wellesley, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, ordered an all-out attack on the area around the village of Roliça against General Delaborde’s division. However, the army of 15,000 Anglo-Portuguese soldiers could not surround the 4,500 French troops, who withdrew orderly to the high ground of Columbeira, a much stronger defensive position.
During the afternoon, an attack like the one implemented in the morning was put in action. All brigades had to attack in a coordinated fashion for the siege maneuvre to have the desired e etc. However, Colonel George Lake, at the head of the 29th regiment, decided to assault without waiting for the general order, an action that was not successful, leading to his own death. To rescue the regiment, the British Commander-in-Chief gave the general order to attack and his soldiers began the ascent to Columbeira.
At the risk of being surrounded, General Delaborde ordered a withdrawal, heading south towards Lisbon, thus saving most of his forces. He joined the reinforcements coming from the capital and participated in the decisive battle of Vimeiro on August 21, which put an end to the first French invasion of Portugal.
Timing 29.08.2025 at 10:00 a.m.
The walk is about 10 km and is expected to take about 3 hrs
On this route we will walk through the village of A-dos-Negros located on a ridge in the eastern part of Óbidos and we will come across some of the numerous fountains, wells and ancient washhouses of the region. We will get some nice views especially facing Gracieira and to the northwest towards the water reservoir of the Arnóia River and the Atlantic on the horizon. The route starts towards the Church of Santa Maria Madalena and its beautiful surroundings. It continues on sandy tracks and quiet streets flanked by orchards, vegetable gardens and groves. The houses in the village centre have some unusual features… The route will then lead us downhill to the reservoir and through a small forest back to the village.
A fairly level walk with gentle inclines through the local villages and countryside. Fine views to São Martinho do Porto and the coast. There is some road walking and the tracks may be muddy and slippery in places after rain. Good shoes and walking poles recommended.
Timing
The walk is about 5,5 km and is expected to take about 1,5 hours
Car meeting and start point
Place
Coordinates
The sports hall in the centre of Casal Pardo. Casal Pardo is just off the N8 to Alcobaça above Alfeizerão
There are several places of interest that hikers can visit, including the Monastery of Santa Maria de Coz. The monastery was considered by many historians to be one of the richest female Cistercian monasteries. In this place, the first religious community dates back to the 16th century.
Timing
The walk is about 7 km and is expected to take about 2.5 hrs
Car meeting and start point
Place
Coordinates
Car park behind Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Cós
39.60265391153209, -8.956065502173345
Map
NB. The map shows a linear walk – we will do a circular version which is about 7km.
People walk at their own risk. Normally we start at 10:00, but check the weekly announcements for confirmation.
Of course you can do the walks on your own as well. Just download the GPX file.
Dog owners may bring their well behaved pets. Owners are responsible for their pets. Dogs must be kept under control on a short (max. 2m.) leash at all times and must be well socialised with people and other dogs.
Coffee Stop
Possibly in the village at the end of the walk. If the church at the Convento is open it is worth a visit.
A circular walk along the coastal path and inland on sandy tracks
The route starts/ends at the parking area across from the swimming pools in Salir do Porto. It begins with a short walk through the streets of Salir do Porto to the access road to the headland. It follows a gravel road on an uphill grade and passes a couple of windmills. Next the path veers off of the road onto a dirt track and begins a doward slope toward the coast. When it reaches the coast the track turns into a winding, more or less level trail and hugs the coastline winding through coastal scubs with magnificent views of the ocean and coastline.
The trail loops around to the gravel access road to the Chapel of Saint Ann (Capela de Santa Ana). After visiting the chapel, the path turns off of the gravel road into the scrub covered dunes and follows a sandy path to the top of the Salir do Porto Dune.
There are views of Salir do Porto and São Martinho do Porto from the top of the dune. From here you can choose to take a short cut to the completion of the walk by walking / running / tumbling / etc. down the dune, or you can follow the less adventurous path in this trail.
Please Note: We may do a few variations to the route below, so the walk maybe a little longer up to 7km & 2 hours.
Timing
The walk is about 5.5 km and is expected to take about 1.5 hrs.
Car meeting and start point
Place
Coordinates
Parking area in front of the Salir do Porto swimming pools
39.500750, -9.151379
Walking route
NB. The flag on the map above shows the car meeting and walk start point. If you need directions, click on the flag to display the flag text and click on the itinéraire link to open Google Maps
Walk through the forrest towards Paredes de Vitoria
The walk starts at the parking in Vale Furado and follow the road towards the Estrada Atlantica. From there we walk through the forrest towards Paredes de Vitoria and finally return back to Vale Furado via Mina following the coastel road. The walk has a minimum height difference and we walk either on local roads or sandy pads.
Vale Furado From Nazaré, the N242, follow Sitio and there follow the Estrada Atlantica for 7,5 km and there is a sign “Vale Furado”. Turn left (if you come from Nazaré) and continue the small asphalt road for 1 km till the end where you see some houses, there is also the parking.
This walk starts with a loop through the village of Casal Mota with views overlooking the Nazare marina and beach. Next it follows a foot trail that parallels the ridge road to Serra da Pescaria. Along the way are views to the ocean and Salgado Beach. The return to Casal Mota follows a rural road on the valley side of the ridge with views overlooking the villages and fields.
The trail can be slippery when wet and is steep in areas. appropriate hiking shoes and walking poles are recommended.
Starting at Praça Dr Azeredo Perdigão, next to the iconic fountain. Continue through the village, passing the unique mine and the dam, then crossing the sports and leisure area of “Parque do Rio”. Continue towards the Chapel of Jesus Maria José and leave the village, crossing the EN 114, climbing through pine forests, vineyards and orchards, towards the top of the Serra da Amoreira and its emblematic windmills. Here we have privileged views over the Óbidos Typhonic Valley, with its floodplains full of horticultural farms, to the Planalto das Cesaredas, as well as Sobral da Lagoa, Várzeas da Rainha and the Atlantic. Then, descend along uniquely shaped trails and paths through Mediterranean scrubland and limestone clusters, returning to the village, passing by the unique guardhouse, an integral part of the “Casa dos Seixos”.
The walk descends to a valley – in places the slope is 1:3 and is very uneven and rocky- then makes a fairly steep, ascent to the road on the edge of Pragança followed by a steep ascent – 1:5 in places – to the top. The tracks are clear of vegetation, and in wet weather, will be slippery on the steeper slopes. So good shoes and walking poles are recommended. Also plenty of water in hot weather.
