recommended route
PR 1 PNL - Ferraria de São João Schist Walking Trail - The herd trail
Hiking trail
· Portugal
-
Photo: Rafael Romano, Aldeias do Xisto
On the Schist Walking Trail at Ferraria de São João, we discover the hidden gardens that flank the Ferrarias stream, the traditional wells and mills as well as the communal pens.
moderate
Distance 4.9 km
2:30 h
240 m
240 m
678 m
536 m
The Ferraria de S.João Schist Trail is a walking loop with 4,9 km, but with a shorter and easier alternative route (PR 1.1) (total of 2,4km). Along the Ferrarias Stream we will find the hidden village vegetable gardens and many wells with their traditional engines. The walking loop ends near the old community corrals, an historical mark located on the edge of a luxuriant cork forest. The longer and complete route (4,9 km) leads us to the deep valley of "Fraga de Amarela" cliff, returning back by climbing the quartzite crest. At the top we are able to see inspiring views.
Author’s recommendation
Enjoy the bucolic scene that depicts everyday life in Ferraria de São João. Visit the communal pens and enjoy the shade under the cork oak trees.
Book your stay, experience or meal at Book in Xisto.
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Highest point
678 m
Lowest point
536 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Beware of high temperatures in the summer and slippery terrain in the winter.
Useful Contacts
SOS Emergency: 112
SOS Forest: 117
GNR Penela (police): (+351) 239 569 135
ADXTUR- Aldeias do Xisto Network: (+351) 275 647 700 | (+351) 960 101 873
Tips and hints
The Ferraria de São João natural landscape is very diversified. The mountain is still densely occupied by original flora species, such as the sweet chestnut and the cork oak, and eucalyptus that contrast with the quartzite outcrops with patches of shrub, making the landscape peculiarly harsh. Right next to Ferraria de São João we can find a unique place with an impressive and wonderful secular cork forest.The fauna is equally diverse with several species of reptiles, mammals and birds. The deer, the roe deer, the red squirrel, the wild rabbit, the Iberian hare, the wild boar or the fox, are some examples of the fauna that may be found in the surrounding area. The richness of the natural heritage of the region and its location in altitude, makes Ferraria de São João an exceptional place to observe a wide variety of species.The existing urban structures in the village are an example of its eminently rural lifestyle, predominantly subsistence agriculture and sheep farming. The construction shows a strong presence of popular architecture, where the use of local materials, such as wood, schist, limestone and quartzite, stands out. Most of the houses reflect this touch of rurality. They have two floors, with the ground floor used for storage and animal pens, and the upstairs for housing. In the same way, if the pens are entirely in stone facing, the top floor is mostly plastered and painted, due to an increased demand for comfort in the housing area. These characteristics give Ferraria de S. João a unique ambience.
Gastronomy
- Rabaçal traditional cheese
- Honey
- Wine
- Walnut
Start
"MTB Centre of the Schist Villages- Ferraria de São João 39°58' 25.74""N 8°19'37.91""W" (649 m)
Coordinates:
DD
39.973909, -8.327568
DMS
39°58'26.1"N 8°19'39.2"W
UTM
29S 557420 4425077
w3w
///regionals.galleons.chimes
Destination
"MTB Centre of the Schist Villages- Ferraria de São João 39°58' 25.74""N 8°19'37.91""W"
Turn-by-turn directions
The Ferraria de São João Schist Route shows several perspectives of the area surrounding this village, over 4.8 km. The route starts at the Mountain Biking Centre and goes down to the village centre, passing by a shrine immediately after the first houses and turning right after the fountain to cross the village vegetable gardens, planted along the Ferrarias River which springs up here and whose banks you will be following. It's a winding but interesting sector where you can find an irrigation system connected to small wells that still use some traditional devices to draw water. At the end of this area, there are signs indicating the possibility of shortening the route to approximately 2.5 km, thus avoiding the larger technical and relief related complications If you continue on the longer route, you will go through the woods and hike on quartz rock, catching a glimpse of some old watermills on your right. Then you arrive at the river outlets, where there are some pools that are good for a refreshing dip in the summer. Then you’re on the section of the Main Schist Villages Route (GRAX), which connects to Casal de S. Simão and you can follow all the way back to Ferraria, climbing to the top of Serra do Espinhal, from where there is a spectacular view over the village and the whole surrounding region. The final descent is abrupt and rocky and ends at the leafy oak grove and community animal pens, a historical landmark of life of this village. Just cross the village centre to get back to where you started.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Coordinates
DD
39.973909, -8.327568
DMS
39°58'26.1"N 8°19'39.2"W
UTM
29S 557420 4425077
w3w
///regionals.galleons.chimes
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
4.9 km
Duration
2:30 h
Ascent
240 m
Descent
240 m
Highest point
678 m
Lowest point
536 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 8 Waypoints
- 8 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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