Hiking and Walking

Whether you prefer short strolls or more challenging walks a car is not necessary from the pretty village of Troviscais. A mere 10 minute walk from Portugal Nature Lodge, will bring you to the beginning of the 14 km (8,70 mi) signposted walking circuit which takes you through the many acres of native cork oaks and eucalyptus covered hills of the Parque Natural to the beautiful river Mira. The Mira is a very clean tidal river (reputedly the cleanest in the whole of Europe), which is largely because of the absence of industry and large conurbations in this area.

At the point where the walk meets the Mira the water is still brackish and teeming with fish. Storks, cattle egrets and other wading birds look for food in the mud flats alongside the river. Except for the occasional brightly painted traditional fishing boat you will not see or hear anyone. It is really beautiful and serene here.

Walking along the cleanest river from Europe
 

You can also walk straight from the lodge to the Mira, it is less than 3 km (1,86 miles) through green forest of cork oak and eucalyptus. The route back can be via another track, through hills with white cottages in fields of grasses, grains and herbs, and on to the friendly cafes in the pretty traditional village of Troviscais.

 

In spring the fields are carpeted with yellow and violet as the wild flowers spread across the undulating hills, on top of which you may find the distinctive roundel moinhos or windmills -many still furnished with delicate sails; whirring away and producing the wholesome wheat flour which helps produce the wonderful flavour of the local bread.



Windmills, rivers and natural pools

Other beautiful walks, some with a few kilometres of tarmac, take you to the ‘Singing windmill’ , one of the still working quaint little windmills furnished with little jugs on the wings -through which you can hear the wind sing.

Or take the path to the Torgal, a tributary of the Mira. In summer, when the river is partly dry, you can walk from here to Pego das Pias, a lovely natural and atmospheric pool with a large stone emerging in the centre. Famous from the movie 'House of the Spirits' after the book of Isabel Allende. After this walk you can be picked up, to avoid the return walk. Simply pre-arrange this with us.
 

Just a short trip by car will afford you a great variety of walking possibilities. You can walk for hours along the rough coastline, by sand dunes and over the high cliffs on which the storks nest and where the ocean crashes against the rocks, and over secluded beaches.

Or, walk through the mountains to hidden beauty spots, with several fantastic vistas of the sparkling, azure-blue ocean down below.

We can supply you with several walking itinaries.