Known for its imense biological diversity and amazing landscapes, Gardunha’s beauty is absolutely jaw-dropping. This granitic montain range rises from the surrouding plains overtaking the horizon, extending itself towards the south and going all the way to Spain. The water, the hikes and the delicious cherries are all very characteristic of this region. In its Southern end, it is home to several historical villages and towns, such as Castelo Novo, Louriçal do Campo and Alpedrinha – Delightful communities inhabited by the friendliest people, where one can relax and breathe the pure air of the mountains!

Every year, the hiking trails connecting the villages and the mountains attract hundreds of participants to compete in Gardunha’s notorious hiking competition: “Trilhos da Gardunha”. In these trails, one can enjoy magnificent views while being in close contact with the area’s unique wildlife.

The water streams are always present. The river Ocreza has its headwaters in Gardunha, flowing downstream to create reservoirs for a few local dams such as the Pisco and the Marateca. This last one is pretty popular amoung visitors and it can be seen from the top of the mountain – a truly memorable experience!

Across the mountain, on the northern end, lies the heart of the land: a vast and magical region where cherries are grown. In order to truly appreciate its beauty, we recommend a ride across the mountain range, starting from Castelo Novo and ending in Alcongosta. In the Spring, we will be able to witness the cherry trees blossom, watch the harvest and try for yourself what many consider to be the best cherries in the world!

Close out the tour with a visit to Fundão, the capital city of Cova da Beira. You definitely won’t regret it!

The Serra da Estrela montain range is the biggest in Continental Portugal, being almost 2000m high at its peak. Its beauty is extraordinary, and it offers a wide variety of places for you to stay and visit.

The cold weather found here is considerably different from the rest of the country – it is the only place where you can practice ski, among other winter sports. The ski resort has 9 separate tracks, adding up to a total of 7.7 km, whose difficulty you can adapt to the expertise level of the skier. In Serra da Estrela, you can also hike along the 375 km of trails that lay across the mountains, taking you through the most dazzling landscapes, breathtaking mountain slopes, beautiful lakes and waterfalls or even herds of sheep being guarded by the region’s own Estrela Mountain dog. It is also possible to observe a huge number of local birds, as well as the unique nature that surrounds them.

You can walk along the shores of some of the biggest rivers in the country, in some cases all the way up to the headwaters: the Mondego in Mondeguinho, the Zêzere in Covão de Ametade and the Alva in Vale do Rossim are places we definitely recommend visiting. Taking the route that goes along the mountain’s lakes or taking the glacial valleys route (Loriga, Manteigas, Covão do Urso and Covão Grande) are also wonderful experiences.

Stop by Serra da Estrela’s  historical villages, more specifically Linhares da Beira or Loriga, and try for yourself the acclaimed Serra da Estrela cheese. It is absolutely delicious! To cap off the visit, nothing better than a hop to the nearby city of Covilhã or to the Unhais da Serra parish – it is a fantastic way to get to know the region and its history a little better.