Epic Climb: Lousã - Trevim

The Epic Climb Lousã-Trevim starts near Carlos Reis Park in Lousã, covering more than 20 kilometers of numerous bends and hairpin turns on N236. The surface is in good condition, and the climb is gentle (between 2% and 5.5%). Almost throughout its length, this climb is framed by lush vegetation. The road is accompanied on its right side by several streams running at the bottom of deep valleys, rarely visible: the Arouce River, São João Stream, Cerdeira Stream, and Candal Stream, which we cross near the Schist Village of the same name. Here is the ideal place to recharge your energy, taste fresh water from a fountain built in 1941, or enjoy the view over the Candal Stream from the terrace of the Schist Villages Shop. As the altitude rises, the landscape gradually changes. The vegetation becomes less exuberant, there are more clearings, and the first wind farms appear, which will accompany us up to Trevim. When less than 6 kilometers remain to the end of the climb and already almost 1000 meters altitude is reached, you leave N236 to take a left on a forest road open through pines that seem to want to surpass the wind turbine towers in height. From here, the asphalt deteriorates, so in some places you need to be more alert to avoid punctures, especially on the descent. It is a mountain road, following the ridge, with little elevation change and even a slight descent before the final assault to the summit. The greatest difficulties of the climb are reserved for the last 2 kilometers, more challenging, with average slopes of 6% and 7.9%, and some sections at 10-11%. The surface more worn by harsh winters and increasingly scarce vegetation, which leaves us fully exposed to the wind, increase the difficulty, further enhancing the achievement of reaching the summit of this Epic Climb.