A day in Lagoa Comprida, Serra da Estrela, Portugal

I had seen several photos of this tunnel where the water rushes in and disappears, “Covão dos Conchos,” and I was eager to discover this hike. Armed with my Wikiloc app, we set off on a rocky path that gradually climbs. The view is breathtaking and so peaceful. Along the way, we encountered all types of hikers, from tourists in flip-flops and well-equipped individuals to young girls in sandals, white pants, and small handbags, who seemed unfazed by the rocky terrain—quite surprising!

Our mistake was attempting a loop instead of retracing our steps after reaching Lagoa dos Conchos. I would advise against following Wikiloc’s sparse instructions, as the path is nearly nonexistent. You have to navigate through rocks and shrubs, which is genuinely challenging.

However, I recommend reserving stand-up paddleboards to explore the various nooks of Lagoa Comprida, here where you can book: https://letssup.pt/passeios-sup-tours/o-passeio-de-paddle-mais-alto-de-portugal-lagoa-comprida-serra-da-estrela/

When you descend, stop in the village of Sabugueiro. I bought beautiful woven blankets from this region, and we enjoyed a memorable “amanteigado” cheese from Serra da Estrela, like butter. I keep ordering from them, they ship all over Europe.