Hiking towards the country’s mysteries

Portugal’s history shines through the country’s popular culture and the collective consciousness of times long gone. Between legends and traditions, the intangible heritage in each region reveals secrets intertwined with the natural landscape.

As visitors explore the country's various hiking trails, stories passed down from generation to generation come to life and transform every step into a true adventure. Discover the mystical aura of locations where culture and nature come together in harmony.

The magical legend of Ponte do Arco, in Marco de Canaveses
The Portuguese region of Porto and the North is renowned for its mountainous landscapes, rivers and cultural heritage. Start by exploring the Marco de Canaveses area and the Villages and Riverbanks Trail along the Ovelha River, a circular walking route that provides breathtaking views over the River Ovelha valley. The trail takes hikers through traditional villages, past old mills, and across rural landscapes, allowing them to come into direct contact with local history and nature. A route classed as being of moderate difficulty, it is ideal for those seeking to explore the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage. Monuments along the Romanesque Route (Rota do Românico) can also be visited, such as the Santa Maria de Sobretâmega and São Martinho de Soalhães Churches, and the Arco (Arch) or Aliviada bridge.

The legend connected to this bridge tells of a rivalry between Saint Gonçalo and the Devil when building the bridge. While the saint was building a bridge over the Tâmega to help the population, the Devil built another one, of a higher quality, in Aliviada, primarily motivated by vanity. However, the bridge, which had been built to be more resistant, collapsed when Saint Gonçalo drew a cross in the air. From that moment on, the location was seen as a place of superstition and ghost stories.

In Fundão, through the Schist Villages
Near Fundão, Barroca, and Janeiro de Cima lie two Schist Villages (Aldeias do Xisto) that provide authentic experiences in Central Portugal and the chance to explore the region’s heritage up close.

In Barroca, explore the area around the Zêzere River, pine forests, old mills, and the Caldeirão Well Prehistoric Art Interpretation Centre. When in Janeiro de Cima, walk among the schist houses, visit the Casa das Tecedeiras (Weavers’ House), and venture to the Janeiro de Baixo River Beach. These villages provide an immersive experience of the culture, local fauna and flora, and the trails of the Geopark Naturtejo. The scenery along the routes varies depending on the season, featuring cherry blossoms in spring and falling leaves in autumn, providing a range of different experiences.

In Fundão, the archaeological site of Torre dos Namorados (Lovers’ Tower), between the Gardunha and Malcata hill ranges, hides its own legend. It is the story of a king favoured by his subjects, and his beautiful daughter, coveted by all the men in the village but whose hand in marriage had never been requested. One day, two young men plucked up the courage to ask for an audience with the king to express their love. However, the king wanted to choose fairly, so he presented them with various challenges - from duels to building towers - which always ended in a tie. His daughter didn’t marry either suitor, but the Lovers' Tower still stands as a representation of unfulfilled love and the king's sense of justice, making it a popular point of interest for visitors to the region.

Between dinosaurs and sea legends in Sesimbra
The fishing town of Sesimbra, in Setúbal, is notable for its long beaches, seafood, and the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park. It is also known for the legend of the Houses of Zimbra, which tells the story of a fisherman from the area who, caught in a storm, begged Our Lady of the Castle for help. He promised to build seven houses in her honour if he survived. Miraculously, he was saved and fulfilled his promise, building all seven houses, which became known as “Casas de Zimbra” (Houses of Zimbra).

One of the most interesting walking routes in the region takes visitors past the Pedra da Mua Natural Monument, located in the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park, known for its impressive dinosaur footprints. These footprints, preserved in limestone slabs, are one of the largest records of sauropod dinosaurs in Europe, providing a glimpse of prehistoric life. The location is a point of interest for those who wish to explore the region’s paleontological riches. In addition to providing a panoramic view over the Atlantic, the location also attracts those seeking to surround themselves with tranquillity. At Cabo Espichel, visitors will find the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Cape, a historic and religious site that attracts pilgrims and visitors.

The origin of Odemira
For lovers of hiking, the Southwestern Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park is a must, as the Vicentine Route (Rota Vicentina) is one of the longest trails in Portugal. The route runs between two regions: the impressive cliffs on Portugal’s Atlantic coast and the tranquil landscapes of the inland Alentejo and Algarve, presenting a wide variety of trails. Walks in the area take visitors on a discovery of natural diversity, with Odemira standing out as one of the most notable points on the adventure.

In the Odemira region, the legend of Pego das Pias is one of the best-known stories, set on the banks of the Torgal Stream, a tributary of the Mira River. According to oral tradition, a farmer promised a pair of oxen and a golden harrow to a saint in exchange for healing his daughter. The young woman recovered, but her father failed to keep his promise. While drinking water from the stream one day, his daughter was bewitched and mysteriously disappeared. Legend has it that she can only be released on Saint John's Night by someone brave enough to hold the oxen and the enchanted harrow. This tale, told within by the region's natural landscape, among its rich fauna, continues to fascinate visitors who walk the trails in Odemira, a municipality that also invites visitors to swim at the Santa Clara River Beach.

Alcoutim's enchanted Moorish Girl treasure hunt
Alcoutim is the starting point of the Via Algarviana, a roughly 300-km walking route stretching all the way to Cape Saint Vincent. This trail allows for an in-depth exploration of the inland Algarve, through mountainous landscapes, valleys, and villages. The Smuggler's Route is part of the Via Algarviana and consists of two circular walking routes in the Alcoutim area, inviting visitors to learn about the area’s local history and traditions and reminiscent of a time when smuggling was a common practice along the Spanish border. The Great Guadiana Route (Grande Rota do Guadiana), which takes hikers through the village, follows the banks of the Guadiana River to Vila Real de Santo António, exploring the riverside fauna and flora, as well as the cultural heritage of these communities. The inland Algarve is home to a variety of legends and routes for those who want to explore more than just the region’s beaches.

In Alcoutim, the legend of the Enchanted Moorish Girl tells the story of a beautiful Moor who was enchanted by her father to protect a treasure in the castle during the Christian reconquest of the area. It is said that the girl would appear by the river at midnight, combing her long golden hair with a golden comb, waiting for someone to break the spell. If anyone managed to free her, they would be given the treasure in return. This story is one of many legends that are still part of the local tradition, recalling the period when the Algarve was part of the Arabic region of Al-Andalus.

The way of eternal love in São Miguel
The Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lake of Seven Cities), on São Miguel island, is one of the many green landscapes in the Azores archipelago. The lake consists of the Blue and Green Lakes, which can be told apart by the difference in colour between the two, which is especially visible on sunny days. The trail around the Sete Cidades Valley is an experience worth enjoying for lovers of biodiversity and the history of the Azores’ nine islands.

The most famous local legend tells of a blue-eyed princess and a green-eyed shepherd who fell in love. The princess's father forbade the relationship due to the difference in social class. As they were saying goodbye to each other, the tears cried by the princess formed the Blue Lagoon, while those cried by the shepherd made up the Green Lagoon, symbolising the forbidden love between them. The beauty of the lagoons, combined with this impossible love story, gives the locale a mystical aura. The route around the lagoon allows visitors to enjoy the volcanic landscape and surrounding vegetation. One of the most iconic spots from which to take in the full view is the “Vista do Rei” (King’s View) viewpoint.

The Mystical Journey of the Little Witch’s Boat
Madeira, known for its panoramic landscapes and trekking trails, provides experiences both in the mountains and the sea. The Levada das 25 Fontes (25 Springs Levada), one of the most popular hikes on the island, takes hikers through the dense Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO-classified world heritage site, culminating in an impressive series of waterfalls. This trail, which snakes through the municipality of Calheta, is a gateway into the archipelago’s exotic natural beauty.

Complementing the magic of the mountains, Calheta also sets the scene for the mysterious legend of the “Barquinha Feiticeira” (Little Witch’s Boat), which tells of an extraordinarily beautiful woman who would sail alone in a small boat, attracting fishermen with her melodious singing. Fascinated, many ventured to follow her but were never seen again. Some said she was a sorceress; others believed she was a mermaid. The mystery is often told as part of the stories shared by the island’s inhabitants.

Portugal is home to a unique combination of trails and legends that invite you to explore the country's natural diversity and heritage. This trip into the country’s collective consciousness is sure to enrich the journey of those who venture through the magic found in every landscape and architectural detail.