This route runs over the plateau adjacent to Penhas da Saúde and is a great way to easily introduce ourselves to the reality of Serra da Estrela, through the Varanda dos Pastores Route.
With medium difficulty, and in a circular format, this route is aimed at understanding the natural and social dynamics of high-altitude pastures. This tour takes place in a universe that clearly highlights the two great shaping forces of the contemporary Serra landscape, for a side the natural phenomena (glaciation, peri-glacial phenomena, and other elements, as well as fauna and flora), and the no less natural human phenomenon (starting with pastoralism, but also rural and industrial life in the valleys or even modern dynamics of health, leisure and tourism in Penhas). Traveling through the Alto da Pedrice plateau and exploring the pastoral evidence present here, such as marshes, shelters, among others, you will also discover some of the most impressive views and geomorphological phenomena in the municipality of Covilhã.
Along the route you will find points of interest such as the Viriato Dam, the Água Fria Ribeira or Malhada do Prior.
PR14 CVL – Rota da Varanda dos Pastores