This part of Portugal is famous for its natural beauty, and those who enjoy an exhilarating adventure are bound to want to explore! Below, find options for local horse riding, cycling, mountain walking, and winter skiing. Feel free to ask us about activities in the area during your stay.
Active Adventures
Portugal By Horse
Portugal by Horse offers wonderful horse riding experiences from a scenic base in the village of Midões, around 20 minutes drive from Quinta Castanheira. Impassioned instructors lead individuals and groups on hacks through local woodland, wild brush, and historic villages. Those with and without experience are welcome!
Ecopista do Dão
The longest cycle path in Portugal begins just outside of Santa Comba Dão, and those who want to see the local countryside by pedal-power can hire a bicycle and even take advantage of the shuttle service if they’d like to begin at the other end and cycle downhill towards home!
The Ecopista was once a railway line connecting Santa Comba Dão to the city of Viseu. The train service closed in 1988 and in 2011 the 49km stretch was reopened as a scenic public cycling and walking path.
O Pioneiro
O Pioneiro do Mondego is a family-owned company offering adventure sports and eco-tourism in Penacova. Their main focus is daily kayak trips downstream the river Mondego between Penacova and Coimbra. You can find more information here.
Carpodrome
Carpodromo is a dedicated Carp Fishing Lake, ideal for those dreaming of quiet local escapism in natural surroundings. Their website offers detailed information in several languages.
Guerrilha Paintball
Located in the nearby city of Viseu, Guerrilla Paintball is a perfect destination for those seeking adrenal fun! You can find out more and make contact via their Facebook Page.
Trans Serrano
Trans Serrano is based in Góis and organizes adventure and outdoor sports activities in the central region, such as canoeing, canyoning, water walking, paintball, hiking, climbing, and jeep tours. Their website provides a great place to launch from!
Serra da Estrela
The name Estrela in Portuguese means star, which is appropriate as this range features the highest peak in the whole country, at 1993 meters. Conveniently, visitors can drive all the way to the highest point at Torre, stopping along the way to explore the beautiful reservoirs, take in the views, and shop at the various roadside gift shops.
Right at the peak, there is a restaurant and eccentric shopping center, where you can buy wool and fur goods, liquor, presunto, and cheeses. During the winter months, if there is enough snow, you can visit the adjacent ski center. There is also a kartodrome part way up.
Serra do Caramulo
While not quite high enough for a ski season, the Caramulo mountains offer fantastic hiking and beautiful scenery for those wanting to explore the most rural parts of the country. Think quaint little villages and tumbles of boulders, laced with marked footpaths.
We will keep updating this page as opportunity allows. Are we missing somewhere magical nearby? Get in touch to let us know!