Parque Natural Da Serra Da Estrela Overview

With craggy, barren mountains lining the horizon and emerald green rivers that flow through timeworn glacial valleys, Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela has attracted thousands of visitors since its establishment in 1976. Several hiking trails run north-south through the park, passing small stone villages along the way. The three main trails are T1 (indicated with a solid red line), T2, and T3 (both marked with solid yellow lines). These three trails pass through the mountain ranges, rivers, and villages, and each covers a distance of about 80-90km. Six shorter trails—T11, T12, T13, T14, T31, and T32—marked with dotted lines—branch off the main routes.

Manteigas provides an opportunity to do several day hikes on portions of the trails that pass through the town. These include walking up a gradual incline along the Rio Zezere towards Albergaria, 14km south of Manteigas, as well as a more challenging 12km hike to the stunning Poço de Inferno waterfall. The park’s weather is erratic: winter snowfall often obscures the trail markers, summer heat can be scorching, and rain is frequent. Check about weather conditions and be sure to bring extra waterproof layers and sunscreen.

In recent years, the park has played host to several other adventure sports such, including skiing, kayaking, mountain climbing, rapelling, and mountain biking. Near Manteigas, SkiParque, Relva da Reboleira, leads excursions into the mountains or through the Rio Zezere, and fills its slopes between December and March. (☎275 98 00 90; www.skiparque.pt. Open daily 9am- 5pm. Guided hikes €20-40 per day; kayaking €6 per hr., €17.50 per day; horseback riding €50 per day; mountain biking €12.50 per hr. Ski slopes with equipment €22-26 per day. 50min. ski classes €30 plus €5 per extra person.) UniversoTT, R. Almirante Gago Coutinho, 10, operates directly out of Guarda and provides similar services, including rapelling, dirt biking, and canoeing. (☎271 23 71 83; www.universott.pt.) The most popular skiing spot is Torre, a €15-20 cab ride from Manteigas. (☎275 31 47 08. Slopes open Nov. to mid-Apr.) Parapente (hang gliding) is also popular, and Serra da Estrela hosted the Parapente World Cup in 2005.

The cheapest beds in Manteigas are at Pensão Serradalto , about 50m from the gas station, with bright rooms overlooking the valley and impeccable baths. (☎275 98 11 51. Breakfast included. Singles €30, doubles €35, triples €50. €5 discount two or more days. Restaurant open daily noon-3pm and 7-11pm. Entrees €7-13. Cash only.) Camping in the park is prohibited, except at designated sites. Consult the information offices in Guarda or Manteigas about campsites or cabins in the park. You can also camp at SkiParque , located off the main road 6km from Manteigas. (Taxis from Manteigas €5-6. €4.25 per person, €2-2.50 per tent, €2 per car.) The best restaurant in Manteigas is   A Cascata , R. 1 de Maio, behind the gas station and down a staircase; enjoy their regional specialties. (☎275 98 21 39. Entrees €7-12. Open M-Sa noon-3pm and 7-9:30pm. Cash only.)

Buses from platform 1 of the Guarda bus station to the gas station in Manteigas run infrequently and only on weekdays (1hr.; M-F 11:30am, 5pm, return to Guarda M-F 7am, 12:50pm; €3.40). The Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela information office in Guarda, R. D. Sancho, 1, has books and detailed topographic maps of the park, with clearly illustrated trails and points of interest (☎271 22 54 54). Alternatively, the first place to get information in Manteigas is the information center across the street from the gas station where the bus arrives and departs. Both offices sell the invaluable Discovering the Region of the Serra da Estrela (€4.20), which includes maps and detailed descriptions of all trails, including altitude changes, walking times, and landmarks along the way. (☎275 98 00 60. Both offices open M-F 9am-12:30pm and 2-5:30pm.)