recommended route
Stage 5
Under the Sign of Cabril [GRZ - MTB Sector 5]
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Under the Sign of Cabril - Detour Intermodal Station of Vale de GóisPhoto: Diogo Martins, Aldeias do Xisto
Author’s recommendation
Book your acommodation, experience or meal in Book in Xisto.
Responsible Trails Criteria:
This route as the auditing in progress at this date.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Cambas River BeachAdega dos Apalaches
Casa da Ladeira
Casa do Dão
Camping Oleiros
Loja Aldeias do Xisto da Pampilhosa
Hotel Santa Margarida
Callum
Loja Aldeias do Xisto do Hotel Santa Margarida
Praia Fluvial de Álvaro
Álvaro Aldeias do Xisto Shop
Álvaro
Vilar dos Condes
Casa de Santo Antão
Casas de Campo Aldeia de Camelo
Albufeira do Cabril River Beach
Aldeia do Xisto of Pedrógão Pequeno
Moinho das Freiras
Safety information
WARNING: This section burned down almost completely and severely. Use is strongly discouraged. 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
Oleiros Municipal Council: (+351) 272 680 130 |
Tips and hints
In Cambas, the Zêzere lends a bit of her beauty to the river beach, situated on the right bank of the river and protected by pine-covered mountains. Another of the attractions of the river beach is the weir, with a waterfall that transmits all the freshness of the river. The Cambas Bridge, upstream, is another emblematic point that indelibly marks the surrounding landscape. Pay a visit to the old parish church, dedicated to this patron saint. Of note here are the carved altars, eight Mozarab tile panels, said to date from the 16th century and some emblematic images and figures, such as the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the “frown of the pulpit".
Abitureira is a land that is very typical, recognised for its know-how, which translates into quality products. The goat cheese produced here or the stoned kid, prime examples of the cuisine of Oleiros Municipality, are perfect ambassadors of a land with ancient knowledge passed down from generation to generation. In terms of fauna, there is the wild boar and, in the ornithological field, the raven.
In Felgueiras Rest Area, take the time to contemplate and enjoy the landscape unhurriedly. The freshness of the place, together with the strong sound of the water flowing over the weir, illustrated with notes of rural history, make this one of the most picturesque places in the region. Let your gaze wander around the surrounding area and take it all in.
The whiteness of the houses attests to the historical importance of what was once a noble “villa”, former municipal seat, the sign of a statute inherited in bygone times. Today it is one of the white villages of the Aldeias do Xisto. An essential element for any Álvaro landscape, the river has also given rise to the river beach that receives numerous visitors in summer. The beach is suitable for doing several sports and engaging in recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing, boating and renting pedal boats. It is mandatory to go through the religious circuit of the village.
The Meanderings of the Zêzere form magnificent, accentuated curves stretching for kilometres, in what is one of the most famous landscapes classified by UNESCO. Snaking along the schist mountain ridges, covered with pine forest, with steep, deep slopes, it is without doubt the river that surprises with a single stroke that makes this one of the most beautiful Portuguese river valleys.
The name Sobral means "forest of cork oaks", because in this region as well as throughout the area surrounding the Cabril dam, there are species such as the Cork oak, the chestnut tree, or oak. On a trip in which the river surprises you at every moment, feel the green pine aroma accompanied by the scents of Heather, gorse, yellow Sargasso, heath, furze, fern and the rockrose. In the mountains, picturesque villages which highlight the uniqueness of the schist houses, showing an ancestral occupation by man that is part of the memories of the past.
Madeirã is surrounded by trees, mostly pine trees, which is the reason for its name, related to "abundance of wood”, resulting from the surrounding forest-covered massif. The surroundings of Madeirã with traditional architecture has some manor houses, highlighting its importance. We suggest a visit to the parish church and the sanctuary of Senhor Jesus do Vale Terreiro. At the Civic Centre in the village, be sure to enjoy the ethnographic exhibition in the square, outdoors. In the gastronomic field, in addition to the aforementioned berry brandy, we also highlight sweets, with the famous cavacas and honey cake.
Arrochela, also known as Rodochela, is located in Pedrogão Pequeno Parish. The name of this town is directly related to its orographic position, which resembles a small fort. In fact, the word comes from Rochella, which means fortifying. This place is crossed by the stream of the same name and has quite fertile agricultural fields.
Nossa Senhora da Confiança chapel was ordered to be built by the Conceição and Silva family, from Pedrogão Pequeno, in 1902 (project by the architect Ruynant), on the ruins of an older one. The current chapel has simple lines and has just one nave. The altars are of great value for their antique carvings, which belonged to the former Convent of Santo António da Sertã. Here, one of the oldest and most popular festivals in the region is held between 7 and 9 September. In the surrounding area, there are vestiges of a late Bronze and Iron Age fortified settlement.
The Mother Church and the Philippine Bridge, classified as a National Monument, are the main points of interest of Aldeia do Xisto of Pedrógão Pequeno. It is mandatory to taste the fish soup.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
After passing to the left bank of the River Zêzere, the GRZ goes along the road, which is left behind after 1,500 metres, moving on to the forest path. After travelling 1 km virtually flat and parallel to the river, the GRZ begins a climb that will lead to Roucos de Baixo and Roucos de Cima. After a slight descent, the route goes back up now toward Abitureira, where it is possible to enjoy a fountain and picnic park. In total, this section is 6.7 km.
Back on a dirt road and after a slight ascent, enjoy observing the river down below, snaking through the hills and the village of Açor, near the right bank of the river. Approximately 1,500 metres after starting the descent, the route passes Felgueiras and proceeds towards the beautiful Philippine Bridge commonly known as Felgueiras Bridge where we will find a Rest Area and a Landscape Reader.
After the ascent comes a stretch of about 2 km on a wide dirt path that will lead to the entrance of Gaspalha, where the GRZ meets the PR1-OLR, which it will accompany until Álvaro. The route goes down a dirt road until crossing the road near the Álvaro bridge. Ahead, take the road parallel to the river, toward the river beach. Passing by the Intermodal Station, a dirt road climbs up to the village of Álvaro.
The GRZ abandons Álvaro accompanied by the PR2-OLR and passes by the chapel of São Sebastião and the Roman bridge over the river Alvélos. After a climb on the left, you will come to the Chapel of São Pedro. Once the PR2-OLR abandons the GRZ, the route heads towards one of the most beautiful landscapes in the area, the Meanders of Zêzere. This section ends at the Frazumeira Rest Area.
After an initial descent, the route remains at the same height for approximately 1,500 metres until going back up to a section of road in the vicinity of Curral do Faval. After travelling 100 metres, this is left behind to take a path to the right. The next 4 kilometres are along forest paths and end by joining the previous road again, accompanying its meandering path uphill to the village of Sobral.
This portion of the GRZ consists of two distinct parts. The first is entirely along the road and after the initial descent crosses two watercourses. In the second part, after crossing the bridge over the river Madeirã, the route begins a long climb. Part of this route is on a forest path and leads to the village of Madeirã.
After leaving here, the route goes along forest paths again in direction of the river. This always remains at a distance as there is an intricate network of paths in eucalypt forest which will have to be covered towards the Ribeira do Calvo. The climb that follows leads to the Vilar Fundeiro, Vilar do Meio, and Vilar Cimeiro, a stretch that ends very close to the E.N. 350 road. Here, it again turns towards the river and goes on through forest paths on a slight descent towards Arrochela.
This section is characterised by the alternating ups and downs, paved roads and forest paths. This variety leads to Roqueiro and close to Casal dos Bufos. Here, you will begin a descent that only ends at the shores of Cabril lagoon. The route follows the lagoon for around 1.5 km to the beginning of a turnoff for the Vale de Gois Intermodal Station. This is where the main route begins its ascent, which ends at a magnificent viewpoint.
The route ends at Aldeia do Xisto of Pedrogão Pequeno, an obligatory place to stop and visit. Its main feature is that.
Coordinates
Statistics
- 26 Waypoints
- 26 Waypoints
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