Aldeia das Dez: Hiking Trails and Heritage

Aldeia das Dez lies on the northern slope of Colcurinho in the Serra do Açor, at an altitude of about 500 metres, overlooking the Rio Alvôco. For a stay, the village combines a clearly identifiable landscape setting with hiking trails and architectural heritage. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, you can start by choosing according to the themes that interest you: trails, religious buildings, village architecture or regional specialties. The following points will help you decide what to focus on during your visit.

Landscape and Hiking Trails

The Rio Alvôco is the river of Aldeia das Dez and rises in the Serra da Estrela. Two hiking trails begin at Largo Alfredo Duarte, and you can compare their endpoints. The PR1 OHP – Caminho do Xisto Aldeia das Dez – Pelas Várzeas do Alvoco begins and ends there. The PR3 OHP – Caminho do Xisto da Aldeia das Dez – Nos Passos do Ermitão also begins at Largo Alfredo Duarte. Both therefore share the same starting point; for the PR1, the destination is there too. Signs for the PR1, PR2 and PR3 OHP trails are at the square, while information panels about Aldeia das Dez can be found at Casa do S.

The Subida Épica begins at Ponte das Três Entradas and ends beside the chapel at the summit of Colcurinho. The bridge is considered unique in Portugal because it has three entrances. The Subida Épica therefore differs from the two trails that begin at the square in its stated start and end points. A section of a Roman road connecting Aldeia das Dez with Avô is 3 km from the village, at Caminho das Tapadas and in the area. Here, the focus is on a historic stretch of road, not another starting point at the square.

Religious Buildings and Village Architecture

The Santuário de Nossa Senhora das Preces is in the village of Vale de Maceira, in the Freguesia of Aldeia das Dez. The complex includes a Baroque church and twelve devotional chapels with sculptural groups depicting the life of Christ. The Igreja Matriz de Aldeia das Dez dates from the 18th century. These two churches offer different ways to explore the village’s religious heritage: at the Santuário, the chapels and their sculptural groups are also part of the complex, while the Igreja Matriz is documented as dating from the 18th century.

The Casa do S, also known as Casa da Voluta, is an example of 17th-century vernacular architecture. The building has two storeys of irregular masonry. Aldeia das Dez is built predominantly of granite, which therefore defines the settlement described here. One of the village’s four fountains is Fonte do Povo. It was built in 1892 and decorated with tiles bearing poems by Dr. Vasco Campos. The village’s history also includes a section of the Roman road connecting Aldeia das Dez with Avô; it is 3 km from the village, at Caminho das Tapadas and in the area.

Regional Specialties and Getting There

Traditional sweets from Aldeia das Dez include local-style Coscoréis and Cavacas. Medronho from the Serra do Açor is used to make a range of products, including jam, cake, Aguardente, liqueur and vinegar. Two festivals are also associated with particular months: the Festa de Nossa Senhora das Preces takes place in July, and the Festa da Castanha in October.

Access from the north, east and west is via the EN 230 and the junctions at Venda de Galizes and Ponte das Três Entradas. The road to Vila Cova do Alva and Arganil follows the EN 342; the road to Pomares follows the EN 513. You can therefore consider the landscape, the trails described and the heritage as distinct focuses when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Figueira De Lorvão, Lajeosa, Seixo Da Beira, Vila Pouca Da Beira, Arganil, Chã De Alvares, Secarias, Tentúgal.

View the broader travel overview: Coimbra.