A 13.5 km circular walk, beginning in Óbidos. The walk begins on the trail that passes the aqueduct and continues through fields and trees. The middle section is on quiet roads and several small villages. Finally, the last third is a very pleasant walk on gravel and dirt trails, along the Rio Arnoia, with nice views as well as we head back towards Óbidos. The walk route may vary slightly from the map below, for more information follow this link: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/obidos-aqueduto-barragem-do-rio-arnoia-obidos-78074083?utm_medium=app&utm_campaign=share&utm_source=15660503
From the Parque de Merendas of Pó we will walk up a gentle hill on a narrow path to the windmills where you’ll have a great view of the area. Then we will have a flat section through forests, vineyards and orchards before taking the poets path back to the river Galvão. At the waterfall we will then hike up to the plateau of the Cezaredes and further to Reguengo Grande where we can have a coffee stop before walking back to our starting point down the Vale Cornaga along the river Galvão, its irrigation canals, its waterfall and mill.
The circular 7 km walk starts at the sanctuary of Senhor Jesus of Carvalhal and will take us on sandy tracks and quiet roads through orchards of pear, apple and apricot trees as well as vineyards. There will be a short incline before reaching the villages of Barro Lobo and later Carvalhal before returning to the Parque de Merendas and our start point. The route largely follows the Alltrails route PB2BBR, for more information see link: PR2 BBR – Percurso do Carvalhal, Leiria District, Portugal – 3 Reviews, Map | AllTrails Please be reminded it is recommended that dogs are kept on a short leash at all times.
The walk will take us from Capeleira to Usseira and back along the upper part of the aqueduct and its water source through orchards and forests. We will mainly walk on quiet streets and some sandy tracks. After rain some sections of the walk could be slippery, so good footwear, and poles for those that need them, are recommended. The walk mainly follows the “formal” PR11 route. For more information please follow the link: https://turismo.obidos.pt/2021/09/01/rota-do-aqueduto/
Meeting and start point
Park inside at ” Associacao Recretiva ” or by the road – Rua Manuel Teutonio ( CM 1412 ) at Capeleira.
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…
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 recommendend as there are only about 12 parking spaces at the start point. You can use our Facebook page to arrange.
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
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 and start point
Place
Coordinates
The social centre at Trás do Outeiro 6km north of Óbidos
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)
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.
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: 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.
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.
