The best running trails around Verdelhos

Located within the Planalto Superior biogenetic reserve, the Rossim Valley is a unique location of great scientific, environmental, and scenic value that deserves to be protected and enhanced. Although it is an artificial lake, over time, conditions have been created that have transformed this area into an excellent leisure and recreation area that attracts countless tourists. The Vale do Rossim recreation center is located at an average altitude of 1,437 meters. Before the dam was built, it was one of the best high-altitude pastures in the municipality of Gouveia. The area has almost always been frequented by transhumance herds, flocks that gathered here from São João to the Sr. do Calvário festivities in August.

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At over 1,400 meters above sea level, the Rossim Valley Reservoir is a haven of granite, pine trees, and crystal-clear waters in the heart of the Serra da Estrela Mountains. It's the perfect setting for strolls, summer swims, and admiring nature in all its splendor, one of Portugal's highest jewels.

The Serra da Estrela Natural Park is something truly special. This 1,000-square-kilometer park, spread across six municipalities, was the first and currently the largest protected natural park in Portugal. It is home to the highest point on the Portuguese mainland, the country's only ski slope, the source of two important rivers, and a fascinating, alpine-like landscape formed by glaciers.

At exactly 1993 meters above sea level, Torre is the highest point in mainland Portugal, where the only ski resort is located. The landscape on the upper plateau of the Serra da Estrela is like a sprinkling of granite rocks over low scrub and patches of snow and ice, which the sun threatens to melt soon in the summer and which always returns the following winter. In winter, it sometimes becomes inaccessible.

Caminho dos Poios with views of the Vale Glaciar do Zêzere The Caminho dos Poios, or the "Poios" (agricultural terraces) Trail, offers spectacular views of the vast and imposing Vale Glaciar do Zêzere, a masterpiece of nature sculpted by ancient glaciers. This trail winds along the sides of the mountain, offering panoramic views that embrace the entire "U" valley, highlighting its grandeur and the singularity of the landscape. The route allows you to appreciate not only the glacial morphology with its steep walls and moraine deposits, but also the human ingenuity in adapting the territory, as evidenced by the terraces that characterize the landscape in some areas. It is an immersion in the wild beauty of the Serra da Estrela, with the opportunity to contemplate one of its most significant geological treasures.

At an altitude of 1,700 metres, in the heart of the Serra da Estrela, stands the impressive Nave da Mestra, a granite colossus that holds a centuries-old secret: the Barca Herminius. Built in 1910 by craftsmen from Manteigas, who climbed the mountain with mules and hydraulic jacks, this house nestled between rocks looks like something out of a fairy tale. It is said that it was designed as a summer retreat by the Matos Preto family, but the legend goes further: clandestine meetings against the regime, led by judge José Pereira de Matos, are said to have taken place there. That is why, to this day, it is called the Judge's House. Running along these trails is a real spectacle!

Very close to Fragão das Penhas Douradas, this spot offers a stunning view over the Rossim Valley Reservoir. In spring, the scenery becomes even more magical: the vibrant hues of the flowers dot the landscape, transforming it into a true natural painting.