The best walks and hikes around Estremoz

Starting point for the Serra d'Ossa Walkways. There is a restaurant in this village, where you can sample good regional dishes.

This is a typical Alentejo rurality construction, consisting of: narthex, nave, chancel, baptistery and sacristy. Inside, the chancel, one can see a mural musicians with angels in female attire and tiles, the latter, replaced during the restoration, in 1996, as happened with the pavement.

At the top of the Serra d’Ossa, at an altitude of 650 metres, stands the Alto de São Gens. Among the ruins of the old chapel dedicated to the saint, memories of an occupation that dates back more than three millennia, to the Bronze and Iron Ages, echo. This archaeological site, shrouded in legend and symbolism, was later associated by the monks of the Congregation of São Paulo with the mythical Mount of Venus, the refuge of Viriato, the legendary Lusitanian leader who, according to tradition, descended from here to confront the Romans.

This sanctuary is located in an elevated position that offers spectacular views of the city of Porto, the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean. It is an important place of pilgrimage and devotion for the local community. In addition to its religious significance, the site is highly regarded for its viewpoint.

At the top of the Serra d’Ossa, at an altitude of 650 metres, stands the Alto de São Gens. Among the ruins of the old chapel dedicated to the saint, memories of an occupation that dates back more than three millennia, to the Bronze and Iron Ages, echo. This archaeological site, shrouded in legend and symbolism, was later associated by the monks of the Congregation of São Paulo with the mythical Mount of Venus, the refuge of Viriato, the legendary Lusitanian leader who, according to tradition, descended from here to confront the Romans.

The Anta da Candeeira, or Anta da Herdade da Candeeira, is one of the many megalithic remains that dot the Alentejo, more precisely in the district of Évora. In the Portuguese lexicon, “anta” refers to the approximately five thousand megalithic monuments (or dolmens) spread across the west of the Iberian Peninsula. These enigmatic stone structures were built during the Neolithic period by communities that inherited the Cardial or Impressa cultures. Silent testimonies of a distant past, they continue to fascinate those who venture into these lands of history and stone.

This is a typical rural building in Alentejo, consisting of: narthex, nave, chancel, baptistery and sacristy. Inside, in the chancel, you can see a mural painting of musicians with angels in female costumes and tiles, the latter of which were replaced during the restoration work in 1996, as was the case with the flooring.

The Serra d’Ossa Walkways run along the verdant valley of the Ribeira do Monte Virgem, along steep schist cliffs, between the village of Aldeia da Serra and the imposing Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte da Virgem, preceded by a long (and steep) staircase with approximately 300 steps. Although the Serra d’Ossa Walkways only opened in April 2021, they are already one of the must-see places in the Alentejo for all nature lovers. After all, walking along them allows you to discover a very different side of this region in the south of Portugal, more associated with vast plains than with steep cliffs. The Serra d’Ossa Walking Trail is only 1.5 km long (3 km round trip), which makes it a great walk to do with children. Not only because it is relatively short, but above all because it does not have significant differences in height, with the exception of the section of the staircase that precedes the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte da Virgem. ( www.vagamundos.pt )