The best walks and hikes around Vela

A beautiful hike through the valley (depending on your starting point, the ascent or descent will be more pronounced). Start as early as possible, while the sun is still behind the mountain range. Online tickets only (no payment on site). Take a screenshot of your ticket (QR code). This will be scanned when exiting or re-entering (if you want to go back). Bring plenty of water. The sun will come out around 10:00 a.m. (I hiked it in October). Parking is available right next to the upper starting point. The lower trailhead is about 500 meters away (coming from Chãos, turn left before the dam).

In the heart of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, Valhelhas River Beach transforms the young course of the Zêzere into a haven of freshness and leisure. Between mountains and generous shade, this space has everything for a perfect day: clear waters, good infrastructure, and a setting that invites you to forget about the clock. In summer, the music sometimes extends the party into the night, attracting those who can't resist the charm of a river still in its infancy, but already full of life and stories to tell.

Between Vale de Amoreira and Valhelhas, the Zêzere meanders through a flat, narrow bed, shaped over centuries by the accumulation of fertile alluvium, rich sediments left behind by the river's generous floods. Today, these deep soils support fertile fields, while from up here, the valley opens up into sweeping, breathtaking panoramas, where the landscape stretches like a living canvas of the Serra da Estrela.

I did it and I recommend it. A very pleasant route, with spectacular views. A suspension bridge creates some adrenaline for those less experienced in these walks.😂

The Mondego Walkways are a series of wooden walkways that form a pedestrian itinerary along the banks of the Mondego River and the Caldeirão Stream. It begins at the arch of the Caldeirão Dam and ends near the village of Videmonte. Walking on walkways, suspension bridges, and dirt roads, the route is about 12 kilometers long and has a cumulative elevation gain of over 600 meters. I've been there before and loved the views. I recommend it. 👍🥾

Wear a hat and sunscreen in the summer. Bring water.

The bar is a perfect place to start the Passodiços do Mondego from Videmonte - there is a shady terrace and there is also a swimming area by the bridge.

Along the Mondego Walkways, you will find the charming Casa das Abelhas. A welcoming place where you can enjoy a coffee and take home some delicious honey, produced right there in the region. The surrounding scenery completes the experience, making the break even more special.