Óbidos Archives

Roliça to Heights of Picoto (obi03L)

Date & Time

Friday 19 May 2023 09:00 (!)

The Walk

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 na 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 manoeuvre to have the desired e ect. 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

The walk is about 10 km and is expected to take about 3 hrs

Car meeting (09:00!) and start point

Place	Coordinates
Next to Cemitério de Roliça, Rua Coronel Nicolau Trante (EN 8-4)	39.3116818, -9.1847587

Click on coordinates to open Google Maps

Map

NB. The flag on the map above shows the car meeting and walk start point.

Coffee Stop

After the walk in Roliça

Notes

Walk leader: Alan Price
alan@silvercoastwalks.com

Valley and Ridge walk from Pó to Reguengo Grande (obi03S)

Óbidos, SHORT WALKS

Date & Time

Wednesday 12 April 2023 10:00

The Walk

This is a walk by a creek, a water mill and old bridges

For the first part we follow a rocky trail uphill (not steep) to Reguengo Grande, where we can take coffee. We return, initially, down the valley, but then ascend to the top of the ridge and follow a narrow path down the ridge back to Pó. There are fine views to the north along the Caldas valley.

Timing

The walk is about 5 km and is expected to take about 2 hrs

Carpooling is highly recommendend as there are only about 6 parking spaces at the start point. You can use our Facebook page to arrange.

Car meeting 09:45

Place	Coordinates
The roundabout at the Amoreira exit from the IP6. From there in convoy to Pó	39.332794, -9.256917

Start point

Place	Coordinates
Pó	39.307337, -9.219089

Map

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

Coffee Stop

–

Notes

Walk leader: Flynn Wendling
flynn@silvercoastwalks.com

View from Neolithic site "Castro do Columbeira"

Walk location: The Serra de Picoto, near Róliça

Originator: John

The Walk: The walk follows tracks and quiet roads through shrub covered hills, villages and farmland. There two steep climbs.

We will pass close to the Castro da Columbeira, which is a settlement dating back 4000 years to the copper age (Chalcolithic period).

Information on the Castro da Columbeira

Timing: The walk is about 6 km and is expected to take about 3 hrs.

Car Meeting Point: Behind the church in Roliça at 09:30 am.

Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude 39°21’22.78″N Longitude 9° 9’29.24″W
Decimal Deg: Latitude 39.313649° Longitude -9.182453°

Walk Start Point: The same as the car meeting point.

Coffee Stop: No coffee stops until the end of the walk in Róliça.

Contact: See the walks’ email for contact telephone numbers or send an email from the web site.

Last Walked: 17/05/2019

Walk location: A linear walk through the countryside from Reguengo Grande to Columbeira, which is a few kms to the south of Óbidos.

Originator: John.

The Walk: We walk to the centre of the town and follow the river Galvão along an attractive, rocky valley (O Vale Cornaga) to Pó, then we follow a track back to Columbeira.
Most of the route is downhill.

Timing: The walk is about 5 km and is expected to take about 2 hrs including positioning of cars, plus extra for coffee.

Car Meeting Point: The lay by at the southern end of Columbeira, just before the road enters the valley, at 10:15. We car share for the few kilometres drive to Reguengo Grande.

If you don’t know the location of the meeting point in Columbeira, I will be at the car park adjacent to the aqueduct car park at the southern end of Óbidos at 10:00 am (on the south side of the roundabout).
We will drive on to Columbeira and leave some cars there as it is the finishing point.

Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude 39°18’13.93″N Longitude 9°11’54.06″W
Decimal Deg: Latitude ° Longitude °

Walk Start Point: The tourist car park on the outskirts of Reguengo Grande.
There is a small museum and tourist shop there.

Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude N Longitude W
Decimal Deg: Latitude ° Longitude °

NB. The two flags on the map above show the car meeting and walk start points. If you need directions, click on the flag to display the flag text and click on the itinéraire link to open Google Maps. You may need to zoom out to see the second flag.

Coffee Stop: There is a café in the centre of Columbeira.

Contact: See the walks’ email for contact telephone numbers or send an email from the web site.

Last walked: 18/01/2017

View from Neolithic site "Castro do Columbeira"

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Walk location: The open, hilly countryside of the Serra do Picoto, which is a few km to the south of Óbidos.

Author: John

The Walk: This is a linear walk ending in Róliça. We walk from Zambujeira dos Carros to the viewpoint with the large cross on the Serra do Picoto; overlooking Columbeira. After taking in the fine, northerly view we retrace our steps a short distance and then start the descent to Roliça through woods and farmland. One section of the descent is very steep with an uneven surface, so bring your walking poles. Also there is a section that may be overgrown. There is a short uphill section towards the end of the walk. The walk is mostly on firm, earthen tracks, there is no road walking.

Timing: The walk is about 6 km and is expected to take about 3 hrs including positioning of cars, plus extra for coffee.

Car Meeting point: Behind the church in Roliça at 10:30 am. We will leave a few cars behind the church, then car share to the start point.

Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude 39°21’22.78″N Longitude 9° 9’29.24″W
Decimal Deg: Latitude 39.313649° Longitude -9.182453°

Walk Start Point: near to Zambujeira dos Carros.

Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude 39°18’49.14″N Longitude 9°10’56.83″W
Decimal Deg: Latitude 39.290724° Longitude -9.193236°

Note: If you have difficulty locating the car meeting point at Roliça I will be at a car park, outside the Óbidos town entrance, at 10:15 am. There are 5 car parks in the area. The two parks to the north of the roundabout and the car park on the south west side have charges so don’t go there. On the south east side of the roundabout there are two, free car parks. We will meet in the car park with an entrance from the main road and drive on to Róliça.

Coffee Stop: At the petrol station in Roliça, at the end of the walk.

Last Walked: 11/07/2018

Walk location: A 10 km walk (3 hrs) on the ridge above Olho Marinho

Originator: John

The Walk: At the start of the walk the track goes up the ridge and then through flat, open -wooded country to Cesaredas & Reguengo Grande. We follow the river Galvão downhill and then climb back up to the ridge and descend to the start point along a narrow, wooded path.

Timing: The walk is about 10 km and is expected to take about 3 hrs.

Car Meeting Point: The roundabout at the Amoreira exit from the IP6 at 09:15 am. See the Notes section below for directions.

Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude 39°19’58.06″N Longitude 9°15’24.90″W
Decimal Deg: Latitude 39.332794° Longitude -9.256917°

Walk Start Point: We drive 5 km in convoy towards Pó.

Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude 39°18’19.54″N Longitude 9°13’0.70″W
Decimal Deg: Latitude 39.305428° Longitude -9.216861°

NB. The one or two flags on the map above show the car meeting and walk start points. If you need directions, click on the flag to display the flag text and click on the itinéraire link to open Google Maps. You may need to zoom out to see the second flag.

Coffee Stop: We can take coffee in Reguengo Grande.

Notes: Directions to meeting point:

From Caldas da Rainha take the A8 south (towards Lisboa). After passing Óbidos take the IP6 to Peniche. Take the first exit signed Amoreira. Turn right at the first roundabout and park on the edge of the road.

This route is based on routes put together by Bill & Liz and Nico.

Contact: See the walks’ email for contact telephone numbers or send an email from the web site.

Last walked: 16/08/2019

Walk location: The village of Trás do Outeiro and the Igreja de Santo Antão with some road walking (6km north of Óbidos).

Originator: John

The Walk: We walk through the village (about 1km) along a tarmac road then follow a beaten earth track to the chapel. En route to the chapel there is a gentle ascent followed by two steeper but short descents and ascents. Bring your walking poles to secure against sliding where the track is steep.
There are some good views of the surrounding countryside from the track, and later the Óbidos castle.
We continue the walk, descending a long flight of steps and after a short stretch of road we walk along a dyke path followed by 1 km of road then along tracks to return to the start point.

Timing: The walk is about 6.5km and is expected to take about 2 hrs.

Car Meeting Point: The car park adjacent to the aqueduct car park at the southern end of Óbidos at 10:15 am. See the Notes section below for directions.
Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude 39°21’23.74″N Longitude 9° 9’29.05″W
Decimal Deg: Latitude 39.356595° Longitude -9.158069°

We have done this walk several times so any one who remembers where the start point is can go straight there if they wish for a 10:30 start – more or less.

Walk Start Point: We drive 5km to the social centre at Trás do Outeiro 6km north of Óbidos.
Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude 39°23’4.01″N Longitude 9°10’12.42″W
Decimal Deg: Latitude 39.384448° Longitude -9.170116°

NB. The two flags on the map above show the car meeting and walk start points. If you need directions, click on the flag to display the flag text and click on the itinéraire link to open Google Maps. You may need to zoom out to see the second flag.

Coffee Stop: No coffee stops en route, but there is a small café in the village.

Notes: Directions to car meeting point:

There is a free car park on the south side of the roundabout which you can approach by driving straight over the roundabout instead of turning left. The entrance to this car park is about 100 metres on the left side after the roundabout.

Contacts: See the walks’ email for contact telephone numbers or send an email from the web site.

Last Walked: 12/12/2018

Walk location: The countryside around Reguengo Grande, which is a few kms to the south of Óbidos.

Originator: John

The Walk: Initially we follow a marked walk which was officially opened in March 2008 as part of the celebration of the bicentenary of the battles of Roliça and Vimeiro between the French and a combined Portuguese & British army. The walk climbs the slopes of the Serra do Picoto (steep) where there are fine views all round. Once at the top of ridge we follow roads and tracks through open countryside to Reguengo Grande. We walk to the centre of the town and follow the river Galvão along an attractive, rocky valley (O Vale Cornaga) to Pó.
Then we follow a track back to Columbeira.

Timing: The walk is about 10 km and is expected to take about 3.5 hrs including positioning of cars, plus extra for coffee.

Car Meeting point: The car park adjacent to the aqueduct car park at the southern end of Óbidos at 09:15 am (this car park is used by camper vans). We will drive on to Columbeira.

Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude: 39°21’23.18″N Longitude: 9° 9’29.20″W

Decimal Deg: Latitude: 39.356439° Longitude: -9.158111°

[mappress mapid=”9″]

Walk Start Point: On an open space to the right, by the main road, on the southern side of Columbeira – just before the road enters a steep sided, rocky valley – at 09:30 am.

Deg, Min, Secs: Latitude: 39°18’14.12″N Longitude: 9°11’53.56″W

Decimal Deg: Latitude: 39.303922° Longitude: -9.198211°

Coffee Stop: In Reguengo Grande.

Notes: Directions to car meeting point:

There is a free car park on the south side of the roundabout with the entrance immediately on the left side as you leave the roundabout.

Contacts: See the walks email for telephone contact, otherwise you can use the silvercoastwalks email from the web site.

Walk Route:

View walk route using the link:

KML, KMZ Viewer with Google Drive

(You can download the file using the above link)

Walk location: A linear walk from Caldas da Rainha to Óbidos.

Car Meeting Point: The car park adjacent to the aqueduct car park at the southern end of Óbidos at 09:15 am. See the Notes section below for directions. We will car share back to Caldas to park at the start point.

Latitude: 39°21’23.74″N; 39.356626°

Longitude: 9° 9’29.05″W; -9.158016°

Walk Start Point: The A8 access roundabout (for south-bound traffic) on the minor road to Foz do Arelho. We will park in front of the soap factory.

Latitude: 39°24’23.74″N; 39.406596°

Longitude: 9° 9’21.14″W; -9.155872°

The Walk: We walk along a minor road past Flor Óbidos and then through woodland to the village of Trás do Outeiro. We walk through the village (about 1km) along a tarmac road then follow a beaten earth track to a chapel. En route to the chapel there is a gentle ascent followed by two steeper but short descents and ascents. Bring your walking poles to secure against sliding. There are some good views of the surrounding countryside from the track, and later the Óbidos castle. To continue the walk, we descend a long flight of steps and after a short stretch of road ascend a steep road to the town walls. We walk along a track outside the wall to the parked cars.

Coffee Stop: No coffee stops en route.

Timing: The walk is about 8km and is expected to take about 2 hrs.

Notes: Directions to car meeting point:

You probably all know the location of the aqueduct car park in Óbidos. We normally meet in this car park, but the Bombeiros may be charging for parking. There is a free car park opposite (on the south side) which you can approach by driving straight over the roundabout instead of turning left. The entrance to this car park is immediately on the left side as you leave the roundabout.

Contacts: See the walks’ email for contact telephone numbers or send an email from the web site.

Last Walked: