The best cycling routes around Vide e Cabeça e Cabeça e Cabeça

Both Piódão and Foz d'Égua are accessible by car. But it's worth hiking the trail that connects them. It takes about 45 minutes, downhill from Piódão to Foz d'Égua (remember that the return is a slight climb). It's worth crossing the restored suspension bridge in Foz d'Égua before returning to Piódão. The Foz d'Égua pool is a popular spot for a dip in its very cold waters. Dipping your feet in the icy water of the stream is always very pleasant after a hike, immersing yourself in nature. I did it and recommend it. 👍🥾

The Serra da Estrela Natural Park is something truly special. This 1,000-square-kilometer park, spread across six municipalities, was the first and currently the largest protected natural park in Portugal. It is home to the highest point on the Portuguese mainland, the country's only ski slope, the source of two important rivers, and a fascinating, alpine-like landscape formed by glaciers.

At exactly 1993 meters above sea level, Torre is the highest point in mainland Portugal, where the only ski resort is located. The landscape on the upper plateau of the Serra da Estrela is like a sprinkling of granite rocks over low scrub and patches of snow and ice, which the sun threatens to melt soon in the summer and which always returns the following winter. In winter, it sometimes becomes inaccessible.

Nestled in the Açor mountains, near Piódão, the river beach of Foz d’Égua is an enchanted corner that comes alive in the summer. Where the Piódão and Chãs d’Égua streams meet, a natural pool is formed, surrounded by rustic bridges, old mills and shale everywhere.

Piódão, the charming schist village with blue doors, is still home to around 170 inhabitants. It is said that the blue doors came about by chance (it was the only colour available) and ended up becoming a tradition. In the centre, next to the square, there is a small, lively café and a restaurant serving regional dishes. The car park is at the entrance to the village (there are around 50 spaces) and there are public toilets right in the centre, everything ready for a peaceful visit to this living postcard of the mountains.

Beautiful panoramic views from the highest point in Portugal. You can ski here in winter, and there is sometimes snow even in summer.

Hidden in the Açor mountains, near the historic village of Piódão, the river beach of Foz d’Égua is a small paradise, especially in summer. Where the Piódão and Chãs d’Égua streams meet, a body of water forms, surrounded by rustic bridges, old shale mills and rocks shaped by the current. The landscape is serene, but getting there is a bit of an adventure: a rough trail winds down to the water, crossing terraces and shale steps that make the arrival part of the experience.

We were lucky with the weather, bright sunshine. There was still a lot of snow in May, children were able to borrow a bobsleigh and play in the snow. At a cool 8°C!!