Magyar Természetjáró Szövetség weboldalai MTSZ MTSZ térképportál Turista Magazin TuristaShop Kéktúra Gerecse50 A kéktúrázás napja
Try Pro for free
Choose a language
Plan a route here Plan similar route
Hiking Trail recommended route Hiking Trail  · Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela Open

PR13 CVL - Granite Route

Responsible for this content
Município da Covilhã
  • Photo: Manuel Franco, Responsible Trails

Selected alternatives for you

    This medium difficulty route will guide you in discovering unique landscapes and shapes that have accompanied shepherds since time immemorial.

    Open
    easy
    Distance 8.7 km
    3:40 h
    315 m
    315 m
    1,644 m
    1,339 m

    In the heart of the Serra da Estrela, at about 1500m altitude, the Penhas da Saúde are surrounded by breathtaking fauna and flora. Their charm is not limited to the white blanket that invades the horizon in winter months... with snowmelt in mid-April, new colors appear in the landscape, unique shades unmissable for those who want to feel nature.

    It is here, in the tourist village of Penhas da Saúde, that we find these granite block trails. Taking advantage of the local geological richness, this circular medium difficulty route surprises with the shapes that surround the visitor while walking the shepherd trails and exploring wide views, particularly the Covão do Teixo, in the place called Curral do Vento, and over Cova da Beira, from Alto das Capinhas.

    This circular route tells the story of these plateaus, where it is possible to contemplate the mountain through the silence that only nature allows. Pedra do Urso and Lapa do Esgalhado are two other landmarks you can find along the way.

    Remember that these are mountain routes with sections without a defined trail; we recommend special caution in foggy conditions and the use of our APP for navigation support.

    Maintenance Responsible: Covilhã City Hall

    Adherence to the Responsible Trails system promoted by the city hall itself.

    Author’s recommendation

     Responsible Trails ® ensures an annual technical audit where the main points of the code of ethics are evaluated. Here you can find the result of the latest audit.

    Before starting your adventure don't forget to check the "Warnings" tab.

    Responsible Trails Evaluation: 

     (last audit carried out on 11/10/2023) 

    Signage: 2 - Much signage missing (GPS or map needed)

    Path conservation: 3 - Deterioration hindering progress

    Surrounding conservation: 1 - Level of deterioration completely alters the experience

    Informative structures: 5 - Very well maintained and of superior quality

    Interpretive structures: 1 - Nonexistent or with no quality and/or useless

    Support and safety structures: 3 - Reasonably maintained

    Community interaction: 3 - Occasional interaction/contacts with the community

    Landscape integration: 4 - Well integrated into the landscape and with points of interest

    General safety: 1 - Presents more than one situation of high risk

    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    Curral do Vento, 1,644 m
    Lowest point
    Pedra do Urso, 1,339 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 12.98%Dirt road 11.14%Forested/wild trail 75.87%
    Asphalt
    1.1 km
    Dirt road
    972 m
    Forested/wild trail
    6.6 km
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    The route was battered by wildfires, so much of the itinerary presents changes in experience, signage, and safety.

    Remember that these are mountain routes with sections without a defined trail, we recommend special caution in foggy conditions and the use of our APP for navigation support.

    Be careful with livestock and guard dogs. Remember that they are working and will always protect their flock. If necessary, bypass the flock and alert the shepherd.

    • Carry a map with the route marked or a GPS navigation file.
    • Stay on the marked route.
    • Respect private property.
    • Leave gates as you found them.
    • If closed, make sure they remain properly closed.
    • Avoid making noises that disturb the environment.
    • Do not pick or damage plants.
    • Do not disturb animals.
    • Do not leave any type of litter; carry it to a place where there is a collection service.
    • Do not make fires outside of permitted periods.
    • If permitted, always use equipment designed for the purpose (e.g., barbecues in picnic areas).
    • Do not destroy or modify signage.
    • Do not damage heritage elements or other existing equipment.
    • Prefer local products, contributing to the economies of the places visited.
    • If accompanied by a pet, ensure it does not disturb the local fauna or livestock.
    • Help maintain this route by reporting any anomalies detected.
    • These routes are developed within the Serra da Estrela Natural Park.
    • We recommend that you be accompanied by field guides, in particular for birds and plants, as well as a camera and binoculars for observing wildlife from a distance.

    Tips and suggestions

    In case of emergency, besides the National emergency number 112, you can contact Mountain Rescue (GNR - UEPS) +351 275 249 131 or +351 961 188 070

    Rest stop
    Tip
    Nearby
    Top Partner
    Waypoint
    Start point
    End point
    Low point
    High point
    Forecast
    Today {low} to {high} and {precipitation} of {precipitation_type}
    show {x} more
    Photo
    Video
    Curral do Vento
    Lapa do Esgalhado
    Alto das Capinhas
    Pedra do Urso
    Covão do Teixo

    Coordinates

    DD
    40.307873, -7.548098
    DMS
    40°18'28.3"N 7°32'53.2"W
    UTM
    29T 623377 4462940
    w3w 
    ///sensitivity.spilling.documentary
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendations for this region:

    Show more

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated from Portuguese.

    User Questions

    Don't see what you need here?
    Ask a question and get an answer from the author, the official DMO or the community.

    4 of 5
    6 ratings · 6 reviews
    very good
    5
    good
    4
    satisfactory
    3
    fair
    2
    poor
    1
    Leave a rating
     of 

    Rating submitted
    Status
    Open
    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    8.7 km
    Duration
    3:40 h
    Ascent
    315 m
    Descent
    315 m
    Highest point
    1,644 m
    Lowest point
    1,339 m
    Round trip Scenic Geological highlights Flora

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

    Statistics

    • My Map
    • Content
    • Show images Hide images
    Features
    Maps and trails
    Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom
    Distance
    Duration
    Ascent
    Descent
    Elevation profile
    Logo agrar Logo aofk Logo mol Logo otp