Day 1
With good weather forecast, today we will make a circular tour by car to visit some of the most interesting points of the Natural Park.
Leaving Manteigas, the first place we visit is the Museum of Bread (Museu do Pão) de Seia. It is a visit to learn about the manufacture and different types of bread. It also offers a café with beautiful views and a shop.
From there we go to the fluvial beach of Loriga, which was highlighted in some guides. It is very small, but with many facilities. We make a brief stop for lunch.
Next, we head to the starting point of our hiking trail. For this, we leave the car in the parking lot at Lagoa Comprida, where the Marques da Silva dam is located. From that point, which has a shop and café, depart different routes. We opt for one of the most popular, leading to the Covão dos Conchos. It is a kind of vertical tunnel that drains the contents of a lagoon into a hydroelectric plant.
From the side of Lagoa Comprida is a walk of 5 kilometers one way (and another 5 back), easy to follow. Sometimes over uneven terrain due to loose stones. We come across few people, and usually on their way back. When arriving at the final lagoon, you must search for the Covão. Being August, we were a bit disappointed because the water level was insufficient for the water to fall through the hole. However, the scenery and views make up for the effort of the route.
Once back at the parking lot we still do another little route. Going down the road, and on the right-hand side, there is a path that leads to another small lagoon, which offers spectacular views from the top.
From Lagoa Comprida it is only a few ilometres to reach Torre, at an altitude of 1993 meters. At the end of the afternoon the temperature is low and is very windy. Don´t forget to bring a jacket. There is a supermarket although the old aerial observation towers of the army stand out above all. A pity that everything is in that state of abandonment. Investigating a little more there are interesting stories about the military settlement there, that could be isolated for weeks by snow during the winter months. Now there is not much trace of it, although the views in all directions are spectacular. A perfect spot for dinner while watching a spectacular twilight that ends our day before returning to Manteigas.