Lousã and Schist Villages Full Day Private Tour from the West

Also known as Arouce Castle, it forms part of one of the first defensive lines created in the second half of the 11th century to control the southern accesses to Coimbra.
According to an ancient legend, the castle has this name because it was built by the Moor emir Arunce to protect his daughter Peralta and his treasures, after he was defeated and expelled from Conimbriga.

Close to the Castle you can find the river beach complex of Our Lady of Mercy. Here, the main attractions are small cascade where you can refresh yourself and a swing over the water ready for a loving picture.

Hidden away in a small valley, Cerdeira was a village of schist houses at risk of disappearing after agricultural activity was abandoned in the middle of the 20th Century.
In 2000, two families that had been friends for years decided to unite in the recovery of some houses of the village. Gradually, the Cerdeira Village project started to gain form till 2018, when it became Cerdeira - Home for Creativity, a community of arts where creativity and nature serves all purposes.

In the river basin of São João creek, nestles this natural amphitheatre housing named Candal. Benefiting from the ease of access compared to other villages, Candal is generally regarded as the most developed of the schist villages and is one of the most visited.

For a long time now, Talasnal is the schist village of Serra da Lousã that has lent the most visibility and charm to the group. Its size and layout, together with many details of the restoration of its houses, confere to this magical place a unique aura. Also, is a village that seduces us through the mouth with some of the mountain's best delicacies.

Surrounded by endless green, Casal Novo is the living in the country dream come true. Little by little, this village, which was once abandoned, has been regaining inhabitants to its relatively large schist houses where overlooks and balconies break the monotony. A steep staircase, which is also the main street, leads to two threshing floors from which you can see the view over the beautiful Serra da Lousã.

It is believed that it once was an important mountain village, but nowadays, Chiqueiro is one of the smallest schist villages. Despite that, it captivates visitors right from the first glance. To stroll through the chapel, the tank and the fountain, while observing the schist houses, where people still live as they did in ancient times, or just enjoy the magnificent landscape, are simple but truly rewarding pleasures.

On these wooden walkways that run along the right bank of Ribeira das Quelhas, near the village of Coentral, we will take a walk where it will be possible to observe some of the wonders that Serra da Lousã hides, such as cascades and crags.

A swing with a breathtaking view over the entire Serra da Lousã and its surroundings, the best way to end a wonderful day.