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/
A fairly gentle climb from Alfeizerão to Casal Pardo followed by fairly level walking, on roads and tracks, through several small villages. There are views inland and to the sea. We then descend along grassy tracks to the valley of the Alfeizerão river. Initially the descent is quite steep so bring your poles if you use them.
In wet weather there may be soft mud and puddles. We will be walking through long undergrowth in places.
Timing
The walk is about 6,5 km and is expected to take about 2 hrs
Car meeting and start point
Place
Coordinates
The car park of the Pão do Ló café, close to the Alfeizerão A8 (IC1) autoestrada exit (see notes)
NB. The flag on the map above shows the car meeting and walk start point.
Coffee Stop
Pão do Ló café at the end of the walk. We use their parking space so it would be polite to buy a drink.
Notes
To Pão do Ló café: From Caldas da Rainha take the N8 or A8 to northwards. From the N8 turn left under the motorway flyover signed Alfeizerão. At the motorway roundabout, go straight across. From the A8 turn right at the motorway roundabout. After about 100metres take second turning left; after the turn you will see a petrol station ahead on the right hand side. The café is next door. Ignore the café with the same name on your right as you turn.
From São Martinho drive through Alfeizerão and turn right at the Pão do Ló café on the left. You will see a horse riding centre on the left as you leave the centre of Alfeizerão. After the turn you will see a petrol station ahead on the right hand side. The café is next door.
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…
From a subdued start at the Foz cemetery, the walk picks up pace as it courses through the dirt-packed, tree lined path toward the Variante Atlântica (Atalantic road). After a brief stop at the curbside, the walk continues on the other side of the Variante Atlântica with a fairly steep climb up to the grassy plateau above Foz and Serra. On the plateau, walkers meander along dirt/sand/grass tracks before descending to the hamlet of Zambujeiro. After a short interlude on tarmac, the walk then returns to a dirt, tree lined track and climbs back-up to the plateau, passing a picturesque spot with a Parque de Merendas (picnic park) with running stream. The walk is circular, returning to Foz via a different track from the walk start, and descends steeply back into Foz. The track, in parts, could be muddy and puddled if rain has fallen recently; as a result, walking sticks may help those who rely on them.
Timing
The walk is about 7 km and is expected to take about 2 hrs
No coffee stops on the walk, but plenty of cafés in Foz de Arelho
Notes
* Directions: From Caldas da Rainha, take the minor road which takes you to the centre of Foz do Arelho. As you enter the town you will cross a speed bump. Continue for two hundred metres and you will come to a cross roads where you turn right. On the right hand corner you will see a sign to the Cemitério; opposite, on the left hand side you will see some recycling boxes. After the turn the cemetery wall can be seen straight ahead. Coming from the centre of Foz do Arelho you will see a sign on the left hand side as you leave the centre. Turn left as indicated by the sign.
Track through open countryside and eucalyptus woods
At the start of the walk there is 1 km of fairly busy road walking. We then follow a track through open countryside and eucalyptus woods. The track is heavily overgrown for 100 metres then it opens out into a lane followed by a short stretch of road. We return to Salir do Matos along a firm track next to cultivated fields. There is a short, steep ascent as we enter the vila. The last kilometre is along quiet roads to the start point.
Timing
The walk is about 6km and is expected to take about 2 to 2.5 hrs, plus extra for coffee
Car meeting and start point
Place
Coordinates
Salir do Matos to the street opposite the Junta in Salir do Matos which is on the main road between Caldas da Rainha and Santa Caterina
The walk starts via the Estrada Atlantico and returns to the starting point through woods & coastal tracks between the Estrada Atlantico and the Atlantic Ocean.
The first 2 km follows the Estrada Atlantico. Then it will be mainly sandy trails through woodland and gorse bush countryside.
Timing
The walk is about 7 km and is expected to take about 2 hours with a stop to enjoy the ocean view.
Car meeting and start point
Place
Coordinates
Nazaré – Sitio and then follow the signs “Estrada Atlantico “ , you will drive through some smaller streets but keep following the sign board till you reach a small roundabout which is the start of the Estrada Atlantico, then turn left to enter the Rua Praia do Norte. At the beginning of that road, we meet. Parking is on the roadside opposite the caravan park. Please car share wherever practical.
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.
The streets, the views and the bay of Sao Martinho do Porto
The circular walk is a mixture of quiet roads, tracks and boardwalk. We leave the start point and follow roads through the old town to the Gralha beach north of SMdP. From there we follow a track before before following more quietish roads to the SMdP miradouro (viewpoint). Then, we follow a road down towards the bay but branch off along an open, rocky path to the bay headland. To get to the bay itself, we descend some steepish, uneven steps which require a good degree of care, especially after wet weather. Finally, we head around the bay along more tracks and the board walk before returning to the coffee stops in the bay. Although the full walk is 9km, its very easy to finish walking after approximately 6km for those who wish to do so. Also, if there is/has been wet weather, it will be necessary to remain on the road rather than take the “rocky path to the bay headland”. Although dogs are welcome to accompany us, it is recommended that, due to the amount of roadwork on the walk, that they are kept on a lead.
The walk follows sandy tracks through woodland and cultivated fields. There is very little road walking. The sand is very loose in places and in wet weather there will be the occasional puddle. There are no hills.
Meet at open grassy area by the railway road crossing on the road into Bouro. There is ample parking space along the side of the road. See the Notes section below for directions.
The walk is about 6,5 km and is expected to take about 1,5 hours
Coffee stop
No coffee stops en-route. After the walk, the swimming pool at Salir do Porto beach.
Details
NB. The flag on the map above shows the car meeting and walk start point.
Notes
Walk leader: Denise Gray
mike@silvercoastwalks.com
From Salir do Porto, drive over the railway line towards the The Nascer do Sol restaurant towards Tornada/Caldas da Rainha. From Nascer do Sol, you pass another restaurant on the left and drive for about 1.5km, At the end of some green fencing (around the strawberry fields) on the right hand side, you then turn right onto a road signposted to Bourro. The parking area is about 0.5km along that road by the railway crossing.
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”.
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