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The Truemans' Treks - Walk
12 - Exploring the Candeeiros
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These two
walks are very different from the norm, as I am unable
to provide detailed descriptions of the route.
Walk A is a
matter of exploring a limestone cliff where there are no
paths as such, but the short climb is exhilarating and
gives great views of the surrounding countryside.
Walk B is a recognised walk but almost impossible to document due to
the twists and turns en-route. It is, however, clearly
defined with trail markets. An ideal walk for those with
children.
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Distance: about 4 or 5 kilometres
Time: 2 or 3 hours
Map: Carta Militar Numero 318
Start: Sao Bento is found north west of the
A1 Toll motorway and is best approached from the Exit 1
of the A23/ IP6 through Covao do Feto and Serra de Santo
Antonio. As you approach the village, turn sharp left
past a petrol station and follow the road for about two
kilometres to the start of the walks.
Walk A
1. Just under
two kilometres south of
Sao Bento, you will find a road on your left, the first
turning you meet. Park on the junction where there is
ample space. The walk starts opposite the road along a
track passing a rustic house on your right. Follow this
track.
At this point we met a goatherd
with a large flock, all of which had two legs tied
together, always on the same side ie. right rear and
right front or left rear and left back. Our attempts to
communicate were met with a confused grin so we can only
guess that this is a means of ensuring the animals
cannot outrun their owner.
2. Follow the
track as it bears right then left, where you have a
superb view of the limestone cliffs: your main
objective. After 500 metres take the track to the left
and then to the right between stone walls leading up to
the cliffs. |
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Goat herd with his goats |
Abandoned Village |
Dry Stone Walls |
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From here,
you are on your own as you pick your way up the cliff to
the top. It looks more difficult than it actually is and
your reward is a fantastic view and smooth, comfortable
rocks, ideal for a picnic or just to sit for a while and
contemplate whatever you like to contemplate.
3. From here you can wander wherever
you wish, as the start point remains more or less in
view, so you can simply find your way down when you
wish. If you continue over the top of the hill you will
meet a path which meanders back to the road.
I am
surprised that this spectacular outcrop is not named.
Any other country would call it Giant's Staircase;
Heaven's Flightpath or some similar descriptive name.
But here, nothing. |
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Note Trail Marker 1 |
Spectacular Outcrop |
Stone Walls |
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Stunning Views |
Limestone Lapiaz |
Well-worn signpost |
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Walk B
1. A further one kilometre south you
come to a roundabout where you turn right into the
village of Cabeco das Pombas. A hundred metres or so
from the roundabout is a junction with plenty of parking
space. Park here.
2. Take the road opposite with a
large, well-worn sign market PERCURSO PEDESTRE and LAPA
DOS POCILGOES. After about 100 metres, turn left along a
track indicated by a yellow and red way marker.
3. Again you are on your own here.
The route picks its way over limestone 'lapiaz', large
stones which form pavements, and between a myriad of dry
stone walls. The way is too complicated to describe in
detail, but if you follow the signs, you will eventually
return to the village.
Picking your
way through the spectacular features is confusing but
great fun and would be a wonderful walk with children -
not too long and the kids would love finding the trail
markers en-route.
The Lapa dos
Pocilgoes indicated on the signpost is a limestone cave
(Pig-sty cave) which I am told should be easy to find.
That said, we failed to locate any trace of it.
Providing
you follow the path as we did, you walk through an
abandoned hamlet offering a fascinating glimpse of
country life in the past. |
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