Buracas do Casmilo Private Hiking Tour from Coimbra
Description
We invite you to live an experience in the imposing Massif of Sicó that shapes this wild scenery, as well as the way of life of the people. Here, side by side, stone and man steadfastly resist the wear and tear of time. You look around and the entire landscape appears dominated by the sharp edges of the stone. On the way to Buracas valley, we will hike in fields of lapiás, authentic “stone cemeteries”, dolinas (sinkholes) and hold your breath for the most impressive scenery of all: the Casmilo caves, popularly known as “the mouths of the mountains”. Then we will enter the canyon and hike to the Our Lady of Circulo Santuary, in the top of the mountain, and visit the Outeiro windmill! In this hike we will also pass in three mountain villages. IMPORTANT: Feel safe, we have the "Clean & Safe" seal from Turismo de Portugal!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Buracas do Casmilo (Casmilo caves) is an incredible and surprising monument sculpted by nature over thousands of years. They are the result of the collapse of the core part of a conduit – a speleological phenomenon called incassion – which exposed the extreme lateral parts, remnants of the cave that was previously hidden inside the mount.
Dolina do Casmilo (Casmilo sinkhole) results from the dissolution of limestone. These sinkholes are depressions where water is deposited; they serve, therefore, to support agriculture and pastoralism, representing true “oases in the desert”.
The Outeiro mill is an old revolving mill. This fragile and crude artefact, whose structure allowed it to rotate in the most favorable direction, proves the ancestral art of using the wind to grind cereals.
The sanctuary owes its name, Nossa Senhora do Círculo, to the circular stone wall that surrounds the sanctuary. From the top, you can see the mountains of Buçaco and Caramulo and the Serra da Estrela itself, on sunny days, shows its highest villages. The look still leads us to distinguish the entire coast, from Ovar to Peniche, to Figueira da Foz and the fields of Mondego.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pickup from most of the hotels in central Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova and Penela if parking is available. We pickup clients for an additional fee (10€...20€) and also from other locations.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- A maximum of 10 people per booking
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Reviews(2)
It was fun to get out of the city of Coimbra, see the views, and learn a little bit about the geography. The hike was moderate (I am a desk jockey and I survived unscathed). Alfredo is a great guide, prepared to adapt the hiking route a bit to ensure it is not overly challenging.
Thank you for your nice review, Esther. It was very nice to meet you and do this tour with you...!
