River Branches [GRZ - MTB sector 8]

Track types

Rest stops

Safety information

Take the necessary precautions for high temperatures in summer and slippery terrain in the winter. The levels of difficulty and times given are only indicative. They were calculated on a physical effort basis and do not include stops. Make your estimate by analising the technical data of path to be taken.

Contact information

SOS Emergency: 112

SOS Forest: 117

Ferreira do Zêzere Municipal Council: (+351) 249 360 150,  

Tips and hints

When the lagoon of the Castelo de Bode dam was filled in 1951, the bridge was submerged to a depth of about 15 metres. The current Vale da Ursa bridge was built to replace it. It should also be noted that during the Middle Ages, as there was no pedestrian crossing on this part of the Zêzere, the only way to go from Sertã to Ferreira do Zêzere was by a barge, in Dornes. Later, in the 19th century, there was another barge in Vale da Ursa. 

Foz da Ribeira da Sertã is the union of the parishes of Cernache Bonjardim, Nesperal and Palhais, in Sertã Municipality, where the Ribeira da Sertã flows into the River Zêzere. The Ribeira da Sertã springs up in Oleiros Municipality, passes near the village of the same name and continues its course in the municipality that gave it its name until it flows into the River Zêzere. You cannot leave this region without trying the tigeladas and learning about the handcrafted basketry that is produced there. 

Consisting of 13 localities, the civil parish of Palhais is located about 15 km from Sertã. It is one of the oldest towns in the municipality. The civil parish, whose toponym derives from a surname of a Portuguese noble house, has been populated since prehistoric times. The abundance of water was one of the reasons for early settlement in Palhais. Two streams run through the civil parish, the Sertã and the Isna. Besides, of course, the fundamental importance of the river Zêzere, now suffused by the Castelo de Bode Dam. Places to visit include the main church, the chapels of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré in Casal, and S. Pedro, in Trízio. According to legend, D. Nuno Álvares Pereira stayed the night at the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré before leaving for the battle of Aljubarrota in the late 14th Century. Also worthy of note are the Roman, Atalaia, Cabras, Portos dos Cavalos, Charcos and Vilar do Ruivo bridges, the Roman weir and the olive oil mills powered by oxen. Before you leave, you must try the coscóreis, the maranho and the Palhais cakes. In Fernandaires, the river beach is a mandatory stop, where you will be able to enjoy the extensive and splendid water basin. 

Located at the Castelo de Bode Lagoon, the Zaboeira bathing area of is a pleasant place where you can enjoy moments of pure fun in the floating pool. Dense, pleasant shrubbery prevails in the area around the beach.  Zaboeira is one of the riverside villages in Vila de Rei Municipality that attracts most visitors, largely due to the delicious regional cuisine. The focus is on bass, which gives its name to the festival that takes place annually in the municipality's restaurants. 

In the Cabeça Gorda Rest Area you will come across one of the most beautiful images of the Zêzere River. 

In a privileged location in a corner between Castelo do Bode Lagoon and Ribeira das Trutas, just five minutes from the municipal seat, stands the magnificent village of Trutas. There is a chapel here whose origin dates back to roughly the end of the seventeenth century, with hiking and biking paths, local accommodation and the "Small Museum of Adventure and Travel," which houses numerous documents such as maps, itineraries, photographs and objects coming from various parts of the world. Boating and canoeing and the opportunity for angling complete the offer.

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Coordinates