PR 2 LSA - Lousã Schist Trails 2 - Schist Villages Route

Rest stops

Senhora da Piedade river beach
Casa da Eira do Talasnal
Casa da Urze
Casinha do Conde
Casa dos Amigos

Safety information

Beware high temperatures in the summer and slippery terrain in the winter.

The climb to "Talasnal" can present a low risk when wet.

 

Useful contacts

Emergency number: 112

SOS Forest fires: 117

GNR (police) Lousã: (+351) 239 990 060

ADXTUR - Schist Village Network - 275 647 700 | 960 101 873

Tips and hints

The Lousã Mountains shelter important communities of plants and wildlife both in terms of biodiversity and conservation, including species and habitats protected by National and International Directives. Particularly important are the fescue, the daffodil, the ruivaco, the gold-striped salamander, Schreiber's green lizard, the black stork, Montagu's Harrier, the common kingfisher and the otter.Although the forest is mainly inhabited by species which have been introduced recently, such as pine trees and eucalyptus, you can also still find areas with Mediterranean species such as the Holm oak, the Portuguese oak, the cork oak, the strawberry tree and aromatic herbs, in particular near the streams. You will find the common wildlife of the mountain areas and also two species of deer, the leaf deer and the European roe deer. These animals were reintroduced here in 1996, and despite they are shy and territorial, they are now established throughout the mountains."Castle - Lousã Castle, also known as Arunce Castle, is one of the very few castles built in schist. It is part of one of the first defense lines created to control the south access to Coimbra during the second half of the 11th Century. Hermitage Power Station - the Hermitage Hydroelectric power station, which is still operational, was built in 1927 to supply electricity to the village and to the paper mill. It is a living testimony of a past when Lousã was the epicenter of an intense industrial activity.Mountain villages – despite the 1950's human desertification, these villages are currently recovering and gaining new life thanks to a series of national and international programs. The houses are also being recovered by new owners from main urban centres, who are once again filling these homes with life.

 

Gastronomy

Sweets: Urze honey, honey “serranitos”, “talasnico” cakes from the Lousã mountains, egg pudding and rice pudding;

Other dishes: “Chanfana” lamb or goat stew, “migas” bread and meat stew, boiled or grilled kid, salt cod “tibornada no lagar” and sardines in breadcrumbs;

Wines and liqueurs: Wine from Quinta de foz de Arouce and Beirão liqueur.

Note

Coordinates