Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Poço do Inferno
In springtime, this waterfall in a craggy gorge makes a beautiful sight. From Manteigas,
drive approximately 4km along the signposted main road towards Torre. Just beyond Cal-
das de Manteigas, turn left for Poço do Inferno (Hell's Well) and climb a further 6km to
the falls through lush evergreen forest.
There's also a hiking trail from Manteigas to the falls, starting with a long descent
along the cobbled road between the
turismo
and petrol station.
In summer the waterfall slows to a trickle.
WATERFALL
Trilhos Verdes
WALKING
(
www.manteigastrilhosverdes.com
)
This excellent network of marked trails in the Manteigas
area makes the town a great base for hiking. There are 16 routes, all with their own leaflet
at the park office in town. You can browse the trails online.
Vale do Zêzere
The relatively easy ramble through this magnificent, glacier-scoured valley, one of the
park's most beautiful and noteworthy natural features, is a highlight of any trip to
Manteigas. Its only drawback: the trail is shadeless and baking in clear summer weather.
From Manteigas, follow the N338 for 2.8km towards Caldas de Manteigas, leaving the
road at the 'Roteiro Rural Palhotas' sign just beyond the spa hotel. From here, a part-
cobbled, part-dirt road leads upstream through irrigated fields dotted with typical stone
casais
(huts). About 4km along, the unpaved road crosses the Rio Zêzere just above a
popular local swimming hole.
From here, the 4km trail follows the Rio Zêzere upstream along its eastern bank, climb-
ing gradually through a wide-open landscape dotted with stone shepherds' huts and
backed by spectacular views of the looming mountains on either side. Eventually the path
narrows and steepens as you scramble up to meet the N338 (11km from Manteigas).
Once at the N338, backpackers wanting to stay overnight amid this dazzling scenery
can continue uphill on the paved road 1.1km to the Covão d'Ametade campground.
Thirsty day trippers should descend 900m along the road to Fonte Paulo Luís Martins, a
crystalline spring whose delightfully cold water (constantly 6°C) is bottled in Manteigas
and sold nationally. If you've left a car at the swimming hole, you can walk an additional
