Easy hikes and walks around Sandomil

Did this route in June 2026. It is a very beautiful one, but cannot be fully walked as the path along the levada is closed further on and you therefore have to turn back. Despite this information, it was still a beautiful, challenging hike that I found worthwhile.

The route is still closed. We walked it anyway and it's really not easy. You practically have to climb up a mountainside. 😅 And we were glad it hadn't rained too much beforehand, otherwise the river crossings would not have been passable. Otherwise, in terms of landscape, it's one of the most beautiful hikes of my life. 😍 Sure-footedness, a bit of a sense of adventure, and good hiking boots are recommended.

The Lapa dos Dinheiros river beach is in perfect harmony with nature. Located in the parish of Lapa dos Dinheiros, on the Caniça River, a right-bank tributary of the Alva River, this bathing area is nestled in a mountainous landscape dominated by the Lapa Souto (south of Lapa) and imposing granite outcrops. With clear water, very appealing for swimming, the beach boasts the award for accessible beach and has lifeguards and a bar available to visitors. The rugged terrain of the valley causes the river to form a succession of small waterfalls nearby. The Lapa Souto, in addition to its valuable collection of centuries-old chestnut trees, is also home to a high level of biodiversity. From the bridge, a pedestrian path leads to the Moura Hole and a viewpoint over the Caniça Waterfalls. The Buraco da Moura is a natural cave system created by the sliding and accumulation of large granite blocks, which formed a complex system of rooms and galleries. How to get there? Once in Seia, follow the EN231 to S. Romão. From there, continue uphill for about 5 km, toward Loriga/Lapa, until you find the sign for Lapa dos Dinheiros on the left. Once inside the town, simply follow the beach signs. Coordinates: 40º 23′ 07.0″ N / 7º 41′ 50.1″ W

The Loriga Stream Route connects Loriga to Vide, winding through a deep valley where water dictates the rhythm. Along the way, centuries-old levadas (water channels) run alongside the trails, among woods, terraces, and ancient paths. In the wildest corners, holm oaks, holly, and Portuguese laurel trees hold the secrets of the mountains. And when the stream rages, it leaves its mark with the so-called giant's marmitas (waterfalls carved by erosion).

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Desterro stands on the banks of the Alva River as an authentic path of faith, marked by ten chapels built over more than two centuries, between 1650 and 1892. Near the village, nature itself left its masterpiece: a curious rock, sculpted by time, that resembles the head of an old woman watching over the mountains.

Caution: collapsed path (also aqueduct) 2.5 km from the start. Possible but dangerous passage.

Among the terraces, chestnut groves and pine forests, a rural heritage that is as authentic as it is surprising is hidden. Like this house, for example, which seems to have grown out of the rock itself: embedded in a huge boulder, in a perfect symbiosis between popular architecture and raw nature. It is as if it had been sculpted by the mountain.

Nestled on the banks of the Caniça river, a tributary of the Alva river, this beach area is a haven in the middle of a mountainous landscape, where ancient chestnut trees and granite blocks shape the scenery. The crystal-clear, inviting water is perfect for a refreshing dip. The beach, which has been awarded the title of accessible, has lifeguards and a bar, making the experience even more enjoyable.