- Traditional Gourmet dinner - 2 walks and 4 bike routes tracks - Accommodations: 4 star inn. Take some days off, escape to Lousã's luxurious Hotel and delight yourself with the local traditional cuisine. From the hotel’s door you can start the signed walking trail that allows you to discover schist villages and the castle, up into the deep valley. You can also do some easy mountain biking, downhill or contouring the dense forest slopes where, with a little luck, you may face wild deers. And close enough you still have the eclectic Coimbra city, with its 700 years old university, one of the oldest in the world! At a very accessible price we offer you carefully chosen accommodations and the necessary support to decide the best way to use your time. Walking or cycling, alone or guided, with friends or in family, doing sports or cultural and gastronomic activities, plan your holidays in total freedom, taking advantage of the full range of options at your disposal. We will be always with you with our 24 hr support line. The hotel in Lousã is Portugal's first boutique hotel. It is an emblazoned eighteenth century property, recently transformed into a four star hotel, which combines the charm of historic environments to advanced technology in order to provide maximum comfort. Once belonging to the Viscondessa do Espinhal, the building is classified as historical heritage and offers ideal conditions to relax and enjoy an exquisite treatment, in a scenario guided by the need for refinement and style. Located right in the centre of Portugal, Lousã is a town with much of interest even though many of its visitors are sports enthusiasts seeking it out for the nearby Serra da Lousã, the true highlight of this region. About 30 minutes from Lousã we can find Coimbra. The city of Coimbra contains important archaeological remains of structures dating from the time when it was the Roman town of Aeminium, such as its well-preserved aqueduct and cryptoporticus, as well as from the period when it served as the capital of Portugal (from 1139 to about 1260). Coimbra began to evolve into a major cultural centre with the foundation of the University of Coimbra in 1290, one of the oldest in Europe. Tour Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival day. Transfer from Lisboa or Porto to Lousã (approx. 2h30). Day 2: Lousã | Talasnal | Casal Novo Walking trail (7 km / 4.4 mi | 3 hrs) This walking trail is located mainly on the slopes of Serra da Lousã and connects the area of Lousã Castle and of the Chapel of “Nossa Senhora da Piedade” with the two most emblematic Schist Villages in this area - Talasnal and Casal Novo. This hiking route is also a journey through time, because we will be repeating the same steps that the ancient residents of these villages did to reach Lousã. Often framed by vegetation, the trail is relatively protected in all seasons. Due to the accumulated climbs and descents, it requires good physical condition, however, you can choose a signed shortcut to make it shorter. Day 3: Lousã MTB center Morning transfer to Talasnal (approx. 15 min). The MTB trails in the Lousã area, some of which pass through ancient mountain shepherd routes, are a real journey in time through the picturesque villages of Chiqueiro, Talasnal, Vaqueirinho, Catarredor, Candal and Cerdeira. From the most accessible trail, ideal for a family journey, to the serious challenges that draw the line between experienced mountain bikers and beginners, Lousã has it all! The unique landscape of the Lousã mountain range is stimulating in every trail. Other rewards, especially in more demanding rides, are reaching the top and the downhill thrill that follows. It is guaranteed fun! Riding options at Lousã MTB Center: - Lousã to Talasnal: Green - 4.2 km, 1 h, Total climb 186 m - Lousã to Casal Novo: Blue - 9 km, 1h 30, Total climb 398 m - Lousã to Chiqueiro: Red - 26 km, 3-4 h, Total climb 1371 m. Day 4: Góis Schist Villages Walking trail (9.2 km/ 5.7 mi | 4 hrs) Transfer to Aigra Nova (20 min). This Schist Walking Trail is a loop that runs through the four Schist Villages of the Góis County: Aigra Nova, Aigra Velha, Pena and Comareira. You can go directly from village to village or do the entire loop. If you want to hike the complete trail, we suggest you start in Aigra Nova, going up on the old shepherd’s path, passing by a water fountain (Fonte dos Bois) where the shepherds still lead their herds to drink water. Along the way you will have impressive views of Penedo de Góis cliffs. Once you reach the stream, try to be silent because with a little luck you may see some Otters. Following the stream, you will get to the Pena Schist Village, located next to Penedo da Abelha (“Bee Cliff”) - famous for its beautiful rock climbing wall. Leaving Pena by the path up the hill you will pass by some quite interesting rock formations. At the top of the hill, sometimes it is possible to see Serra da Estrela (Portugal’s highest mountain - 2000 m/ ft) depending on the weather conditions. Walking now downhill through pines trees it won’t take long to get to Comareira. Relax now for a bit and enjoy the viewpoint landscape. Aigra Nova is just around the corner. Day 5: Departure. Transfer to Lisboa or Porto (approx. 2h30). Notes: Price Includes: Also see tour packages in: Europe Portugal Outdoor: Land Rambler Hiking & Trekking Bicycle Touring |
