zêzere

Zêzere

zêzere

The Zêzere is the common denominator of the identity of the six Aldeias do Xisto Villages that are contained within its basin. The River Zêzere is one of the wildest and most pristine rivers in the country. The landscapes it creates are unparalleled. The Zêzere Grande Route follows the river from source to estuary.

Region

The Rio Zêzere Valley is one of the most environmentally-diverse natural areas amongst the Aldeias do Xisto Villages and the country. Nature in an almost wild state, where the richness of the flora and fauna is remarkable, combining in perfect harmony with human occupation that, throughout the ages, has adapted to the passage of the river, living from it and with it. With the vital support provided by this imposing river, the villages in its vicinity are larger and more populated. Traversing this part of the territory is, above all, a life experience, complete and enriching, which allows you to get to know the way of life of the riverside communities and interact with them. It is home to six Aldeias do Xisto: Álvaro, Barroca, Janeiro de Baixo, Janeiro de Cima, Mosteiro and Pedrógão Pequeno.

A well-kept secret

The twisting and ancient landscape of Serra da Estrela, the natural, cultural and architectural heritage of Cova da Beira, the agricultural lands and mining landscape of Cabeço do Pião, the famous meanders of the Zêzere, the fish dishes from the river and the landscapes created by the Cabril, Bouçã and Castelo de Bode dams are some of the most remarkable elements of this territory. Nature and human culture blend in surprising shades along the River Zêzere, revealing one of Portugal’s best kept secrets. Whether it's wild, winding or meandering, or even calm in the waters of the reservoirs, the landscapes it carves are unparalleled.

Geography 

The Zêzere River rises in the Serra da Estrela, at about 1900 m altitude, near Cântaro Magro, where the largest glacial valley in Europe begins (13 km). After going down the Serra da Estrela in an erratic course, the Zêzere, now more serene, passes through Belmonte and Covilhã. From here, and almost until it flows into the Tagus at Constância after a journey of about 248 Km, it is fed from both banks by the sea of mountains that frame the Aldeias do Xisto. After the Mondego, it is the second largest river in Portugal. If it didn’t run through such a deep and winding valley, it would be possible to see that all the reservoirs of the three dams (Cabril, Bouça and Castelo de Bode) form an immense artificial lake, spanning more than 5,800 hectares.

GRZ- Grande Rota do Zêzere trail

The Zêzere River is one of the environmentally diverse natural areas in the country and very unique in terms of human occupation. The creation of the GRZ- Grande Rota do Zêzere trail (GR 33) was designed to allow users to enjoy closer contact with this natural and cultural heritage. The 370 km long GRZ passes through 13 counties, bringing together important national brands: Serra da Estrela, Aldeias do Xisto, Castelo de Bode and the River Tejo. The route is designed to be intermodal, and can be carried out on foot, by bicycle or canoe. It can take place in a continuous and linked way, in sections or even in multimodal circuits, using more than one modality. There are complementary routes, either circular Pequenas Rotas (Small Routes) such as the Schist Paths, around points where the GRZ passes, or off-shoots from the main route that take users to nearby geographical areas and places of interest, such as the Aldeias do Xisto, the river beaches, the reservoirs and dams, among others.

explore

restaurants
Varanda do Casal
Varanda do Casal
Casal de São Simão
restaurants
Callum
Callum
Oleiros
restaurants
Bem-Me-Quer
Bem-Me-Quer
Martim Branco
restaurants
Fugas Restaurant
Fugas Restaurant
restaurants
Museu da Chanfana
Museu da Chanfana
Miranda do Corvo
restaurants
Casa da Ti Augusta
Casa da Ti Augusta
Figueira
restaurants
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
restaurants
Fiado
Fiado
Janeiro de Cima
restaurants
As Beiras
As Beiras
Pampilhosa da Serra
lodging
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Caldas de São Paulo
lodging
Casa Lausus
Casa Lausus
Talasnal
lodging
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Talasnal
lodging
Mountain Whisper
Mountain Whisper
Gondramaz
lodging
Casa do Talasnal
Casa do Talasnal
Talasnal
lodging
Casa Cova do Barro
Casa Cova do Barro
Janeiro de Cima
lodging
Casas da Serra do Açor
Casas da Serra do Açor
Casal Novo, Arganil
lodging
Casas de Água Formosa
Casas de Água Formosa
Vila de Rei
lodging
Aldeia Oliveiras
Aldeia Oliveiras
Proença-a-Nova
heritage
Alvoco das Várzeas Medieval Bridge
Alvoco das Várzeas Medieval Bridge
offer
Night Canoeing on the Santa Luzia Dam
Night Canoeing on the Santa Luzia Dam
tour
Mining Territory [GRZ - MTB sector 3]
Mining Territory [GRZ - MTB sector 3]
heritage
Roman Villa of Rabaçal
Roman Villa of Rabaçal
tour
Schist Walking Trail of Aldeia das Dez 3 – The Footprint of the Ermit
Schist Walking Trail of Aldeia das Dez 3 – The Footprint of the Ermit
Hotel Rural Quinta da Geia
village
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Figueira
heritage
Church of São Bartolomeu
Church of São Bartolomeu
village
Sobral de São Miguel
Sobral de São Miguel
offer
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
offer
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando
village
Ferraria de São João
Ferraria de São João
tour
Irrigating Cova da Beira [GRZ - MTB Sector 2]
Irrigating Cova da Beira [GRZ - MTB Sector 2]

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