PR8 PPS - Pampilhosa da Serra Schist Walking Trail – Unhais River Route

Casal da Lapa

Linear route that begins in Pampilhosa da Serra heading east along the watercourse, in the valley of the Unhais river, with an extraordinary landscape. The first village, you will encounter, is Ereira. Since the beginning of the route, it is possible find traces of some watermills that once ground the corn and rye productions from the river's fertile slopes. This area was heavily exploited for the cultivation of grain and vegetables. The Unhais river will be present almost all the time and you will cross it to its right side after Ereira village. Walking on trails where you will find a wild landscape, where the silence is interrupted by the sound of running water from the river and the birds' chirping. Here, there is an immaculate view, with little traces of civilization nearby, until you reach thesettlement of Foz do Ribeiro. In this village, the use of schist is very present in the architecture, this stone is in all its constructions with the ancient art of overlapping it.

Going up, on trails and footpaths, to the village of Cabril, known for its narrow roads and quaint architecture, lose yourself here in the immensity of the horizon. Continuing then east, passing on the north side of the settlement of Vale Grande. Here, you can admire the landscape of the imposing quartzite ridges that support the Santa Luzia Dam. Then, the route heads up to the Chapel of St. Luzia, where there is a viewpoint from where it is possible to admire the beautiful landscape over the dam's reservoir. From here, the route goes down to the Santa Luzia Dam, which is one of the oldest dams in Portugal. It was inaugurated in 1942, has a height of 76 meters and a crest length of 115 meters. Passing the weir of the dam, one reaches Casal da Lapa, near the river beach of Santa Luzia Dam.