Walking in Portugal (Marvão, Alentejo)

Walks
The region of Marvão and the Serra da São Mamede, a protected nature reserve, is a wonderful place for walking. A mountain range with the highest point of 1025 meters, is a treasure of rich and diversified flora and fauna. A microclimate with thick vegetation, megalithic stones, ancient roman roads and pathways, full of wildlife including rare birds of prey such as the vulture, kite or Bonelli eagle. And with a some luck you might see wild boar or deer.
In this nature park there are 5 walks listed below:

Walking Tours of the Natural Park of Serra de S. Mamede

- Esperança Route - 18 kms. Point of departure and arrival: Esperança. (Arronches)
- Marvão Route - 8 kms. Point of departure and arrival: Portagem. (Marvão)
- Galegos Route - 17 kms. Point of departure and arrival: Galegos. (Marvão)
- Carreiras Route - 10 kms. Point of departure and arrival: Carreiras. (Portalegre/Castelo de Vide)
- Reguengo Route - 10 kms. Point of departure and arrival: Reguengo. (Portalegre)


You can ask for maps in the Marvão tourist office or you can download some of these walks by sending your E-mail to us.

Stay at 'Casa do Brasão', The Coat of Arms Cottage, originally built in 1856, a fully restored and stylishly decorated cottage situated near Marvão and in the natural park of 'Serra de São Mamede', an area of outstanding natural beauty.

http://www.casabrasao.com/

See the guest book:
http://www.casabrasao.com/guest-book.php

The walk link:

http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?&id=747362

Castelo de Vide, well worth a visit.

A small medieval hill town in the North Alentejo region of Portugal, a delightful place for a holiday with its 14th century castle, Gothic doorways, small white houses and cobbled streets. A place where you can step back in time from the era of the Romans and Visigoths to the Moors and Christian crusaders.
Don't forget to visit the 13th century synagogue and covered fountain in the famous Jewish quarter.
One of our favourite places in Portugal
The surrounding countryside with the mountain range of the "Serra de São Mamede" with its abundance of flora and fauna is a great excuse to get out the walking boots.
A self-catering cottage near Marvão and Castelo de Vide
http://www.casabrasao.com/

A great family walk around Barretos, Marvaõ.

A short 2.7 km family walk in beautiful Alto Alentejo countryside along ancient pathways with olive groves and cork oak trees.
Starting at the typical Alentejo village of Barretos, along cobbled roads which merge into ancient pathways only wide enough for donkeys and carts. As you look up you will see the dramatic, impossing town and castle of Marvão on the mountain rage of the "Serra de São Mamede". Continue and you will pass through the little sleepy hamlets of Vale do Milho and Fonte Salgueiro de Cima and finally returning to the village of Barretos.
This is a short walk recommended for families where there is an abundance of flora and fauna, from farm animals, including sheep and pigs to the wonderful Alentejo countryside of wild flowers and trees. Plenty to keep the kids occupied.

WALKING IN MARVÃO

A great walk in Marvão, Alto Alentejo, Portugal with fantastic panoramic views, wonderful countryside and interesting historical sites.
This walk is 7.38 km and is easy to moderate. The map/guide we bought earlier from the tourist office in Marvão, and the start is from Portagem near the public swimming pool.
The four of us, two adults and two children aged 12 and 14, set off from the 16 century bridge and tower in Portagem. The guide informs you to follow the trail by posts with green markers and we realised after a few kilometres there are none. Instead follow the normal markers of a red and yellow rectangles.
This walk took us about two and a half hours with regular stops to see the sights such as:
The 16 century bridge and tower next to the river Sever.
The mediaeval cobbled road, possibly of Roman origin.
Views of the imposing town and castle of Marvão, the mountain range of Serra de São Mamede and the granite plains of the Alentejo countryside.
The Convent and Church of the Lady of the Star (Igreja do Convento de Nossa Senhora da Estrela).
Typical small Alentejo hamlets.
The 16 century derelict chapel and mediaeval tombs cut into the rock at Fonte Souto.
Oak, Walnut, Olive,Chestnut and Horse-Chestnut trees.
Plenty of farm animals and the wonderful fauna and flora of this region.
At the end of the walk why not have lunch at O Sever restaurant at Portagem for a hearty typical Alentejo lunch washed down with a bottle of Conventual Red wine.
This is a perfect day out in this great region of Portugal.
For more information on this region see:
http://marvaoholidayhome.blogspot.com/
For a place to stay see:
http://www.casabrasao.com/