10 Portuguese Mountains
This is a journey of discovery of the most beautiful Portuguese mountains.
These are places to discover with no rush, with time, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying the preserved nature of these mountains.
Perfect destinations for quiet walks, or more adrenaline activities, but always enjoying the silence of nature. Come and discover Portugal off the beaten tracks.
Serra do Gerês
Located in the far north of Portugal it is the country´s only national park. The wild Gerês mountains are fascinating to explore. There is a great option of natural paths to explore, that will lead you to beautiful waterfalls, amazing lagoons, ancient villages, mountain communities. Admire some of the local fauna and flora, you might find wild animals like deers and small wild horses, and more domesticated species like cows, goats, and the Castro Laboreiro, a Portuguese sheep dog native to this region. Enjoy the amazing viewpoints that the Peneda Gerês National Park has to offer, the landscape is breathtaking. It is a magical place for those who love hiking, water skiing, rock climbing, or other outdoor activities, or those who just love the beauty and natural wonders.
Serra do Marão
In this beautiful mountain, you will find old wolfram mines, the water that flows in river beds and streams, you might come across local wild animals like the corsos, the partridge, the fox…and even the wolf… and a beautiful landscape that invites you to relax, contemplate and discover.
And there is so much you can experience in these mountains, explore this incredible mountain on a 4WD, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, and even hunting and fishing.
And after a day of discovering this mountain, we invite you to visit Amarante, a charming historical town, elected by the Guardian as one of the places to visit in 2021. Learn the history of this ancient town, enjoy the local gastronomy, and Amarante´s famous pastries, so easy to find in the city´s cake-shops and cafés.
Serra do Caramulo
Located in the center of Portugal, this beautiful mountain is within easy reach from Coimbra, Aveiro and Viseu. This mountain combines woods and scrublands with pure water streams and small waterfalls. It is famous for its healthy surroundings. In the beginning of the 20th century, many people looked for this place as a cure for lungs and breathing ailments. Nowadays, it is a destination for wellness holidays.
You can enjoy the beauty of the landscape from two viewpoints: Caramulinho at 1075 meters high, or Cabeço de Neve, on the opposite side of the mountain. Discover this beautiful mountain through its walking paths. If you enjoy more adrenaline activities, there is one of the longest slides in Portugal and rivers ideals for rafting or canoeing.
And learn more about Portugal´s origins by visiting the ancient city of Viseu and taking the time to enjoy the local gastronomy, paired with the refreshing Bairrada wines, the local wine region.
Serra da Lousã
The lousã mountain, near Coimbra, combines the cultural and human aspects of the Schist Villages, one of Portugal´s best-kept secrets. This mountain is crossed by numerous hiking and biking mountain trails and through these paths will discover the beautiful mountain villages of Talasnal, Casal Novo, and Chiqueiro. In these villages, time goes by more slowly, and you can enjoy the beautiful landscape and learn more about Portugal´s most ancient traditions, as well as savor the delights of Portuguese gastronomy
Serra da Gardunha
Located at Beira Alta region, in the center of Portugal, it is close to Fundão, Covilhã and Serra da Estrela. In this region, you will find the best cherries in Portugal. The best way to appreciate this incredible landscape isby looking at it from above. Paragliding or Balloon rides are some of the experiences you can enjoy in thisbeautiful mountain. For those who love nature but want some comfort in their holidays, they can enjoy a glamping experience, with a stunning view of the mountain range.
Exploring it by foot, by air, or sleeping in a comfortable tend, you cannot miss the beautiful landscape of Serra da Gardunha, the noble and elegant Alpedrinha village, and the historical village of Castelo Novo, with its beautiful manor houses.
Serra da Estrela
Serra da Estrela is mainland Portugal´s highest mountain, and the perfect scenery for a few relaxing days, away from the crowds. There is a great variety of paths that you can explore, and that will lead you through rivers, lagoons, glacial valleys, historic mountain villages, castles, or the Jewish heritage. Or you can proceed directly to Torre, the highest point, to see the snow and the only ski resort in Portugal.
This natural paradise is excellent if you want to meditate in the silence of the mountain, or for trekking, horse-riding, or mountain biking. And to recharge batteries you must taste the most famous product of the region – the Serra da Estrela cheese – it pairs ideally with traditional bread, and with a delicious Dão wine, the local wine region.
Serra de Sintra
Very close to Lisbon, Sintra mountain is not one of the highest in Portugal, just 530 meters at the highest point, but the natural beauty of this region is impressive.
Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this beautiful mountain, travelling through this landscape and history. Sintra has an exceptional collection of castles and palaces to discover. Hiking trails are an excellent way of getting to know the natural and cultural heritage of this place, but you can also choose mountain bike, or travel with a 4WD, making a stop to contemplate the magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean, from Cabo da Roca, the most western point in Europe.
And you must include a visit to the village of Sintra, a place of palaces, culture, and art. walk its narrow streets and learn more about the incredible history of this village, with its traditions, Celtic bard myths, Moorish legends, in a unique, almost magical scenario.
Serra da Arrábida
Located at the north bank of Sado Estuary, covering the villages of Palmela, Sesimbra, and Setúbal, the Arrábida mountain stands out for its typical Mediterranean vegetation and climate. Its highest point is around 500 meters and offers a magnificent view of the Atlantic.
Activities in Arrábida are plentiful. Here you will find several trekking paths if you want to walk or ride and discover the beautiful beaches, with soft golden sand and warm calm waters. Or maybe go on a boat cruise that will allow you to marvel at the beauty of the coast from a distance, and cruising along the Sado estuary you may have the chance to enjoy some dolphin watching. Or experience snorkeling, or the most audacious can have a diving experience. There is so much to enjoy in this natural beauty scenario.
At the end of the day, treat yourself with fresh grilled fish, the most typical gastronomy of this region, and taste the refreshing and elegant wines and the famous cheese of the region.
Serra do Caldeirão
Discover a completely different Algarve with a peaceful green landscape. The Serra do Caldeirão is a border between Algarve and Alentejo. Although it isn’t very high (the highest peak is 598 meters), this mountain is very unique with its rounded peaks, cork trees, and rivers. It is an excellent place to hike – the Via Algarvia goes through it. During your trails, you will find many windmills, and the local fauna with deers, eagles and storks.
Besides trekking, many other experiences are promoted in this mountain, more radical sports, such as night hiking, MTB circuits, rallies, and many more.
A great place to enjoy nature and enjoy a different Algarve, rich in diversity.
Serra de Monchique
Also in the Algarve, a beautiful mountain where you can find the highest point in the Algarve, the peak of Fóia, standing at 902 meters, it offers a magnificent view of the Algarve´s south and west coast to Cabo São Vicente.
Serra do Monchique is famous for its wildlife, as well as its medicinal waters. It is said that the Romans populated Monchique due to the healing power of the waters of the Monchique mountains.
The village of Monchique is quite different from the beach resorts that the Algarve is better known for, the village still preserves the ancient traditions of this region. An opportunity to discover an aspect of Algarve unlike any other.
Nearby, the former Arab capital of Silves deserves a visit, as well as Sagres, a place which evokes the memories of the epic of the Discoveries age.
Come and breathe in this endless landscape and recover your strength and balance, in these beautiful natural scenarios. Contact our team to learn more about the Portuguese mountains.