Inserted in a territory recognized by UNESCO as the Estrela Geopark, Mondego Walkways rise imposingly at the gates of Guarda, a region with its own and unique characteristics.
The path runs along River Mondego and two tributaries, Ribeiro do Barrocal and Rio Caldeirão, covering about 11.5 km, with 6.7 km over wooden walkways (a total of seven), some of them flat, others on stairs. The rest of the route is made along existing tracks and paths. It is noteworthy the rehabilitation of two bridges, one of them being the famous Ribas Bridge, along with a new double-slide equipment, and the construction of three new suspension bridges. It also crosses two small streams.
These walkways start in Videmonte and extend to the Caldeirão Dam, benefiting the parishes of Videmonte, Maçainhas, Meios, Aldeia Viçosa and the parish unions of Trinta e Corujeira and Mizarela, Pero Soares and Vila Soeiro. Visitors have access to unique places, such as Mocho Real Viewpoint, waterfalls, mills, old woolen, weaving and electricity production factories (Hidroelétrica do Pateiro).
Right at the entrance to the city of Guarda, there is the Caldeirão Waterfall, a gigantic waterfall, where the waters of Ribeira do Caldeirão crash into a steep abyss, showing a pink hue.
The construction of this structure aims to make known the landscape and the environmental and historical heritage of the surrounding villages, guaranteeing new experiences for visitors, through the creation of points of interest that reveal to them the best kept secrets of Mondego river. Noteworthy is the Municipality’s concern to create the best access conditions, which guarantee communication routes that are favorable to mobility.
Standards of sustainability were respected, in order to allow access to unique landscapes, until now inaccessible, with maximum respect for the balance of the ecosystem in which the walkways are located.
The entire route benefits from full mobile network coverage, which ensures communication and security to the fullest extent.
Come and discover Guarda, Serra da Estrela and Mondego Walkways!
