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walking & other activities
Fast gaining a reputation as an excellent
walking/hiking area, Central Portugal has it all.
The easy climate makes it an ideal place for
beginners and more experienced walkers. It is
a relatively small place so you can never get
really lost (and if you do just think of it as an
added adventure). Follow trails through the
local schist (slate) villages perched high in the
mountains which, after being abandoned by a
previous generation, are slowly being brought
back to life through rural tourism.

Don't worry about 'right to roam' - if you meet
anyone on your travels you are more likely to
be invited back to their house for an
aguardente (home made spirit) than chased
away - our tip: go by all means but politely
refuse the aguardente unless you have a cast
iron constitution.

The Beiras region is largely composed of forests,
rivers and mountains. Lousa, the area where
Jardim da Tia is based, is over 70% forest, all of it
easily accessible from Jardim da Tia. Based in a
quiet hamlet it takes a couple of steps to get to
the forest. There are tracks everywhere and
walking is easy here - no need for a guide, you
can do it yourself, armed with the finely detailed
military maps of the local area available in the
cottage.

We provide bikes, binoculars, a compass,
detailed local maps, guides to birds,
butterflies, insects, wildflowers and the stars.
In addition Jardim da Tia has beach towels,
beach mats sun umbrella and a cool bag.
Take a picnic, make a day of it and just enjoy
where the mood takes you!
We can arrange guided bike tours of the area
(ask at time of booking) and an inflatable
canoe is available for rent.
Other activities in the area include natural
swimming in the numerous river beaches,
fishing (we can arrange local permits for you
on request), golf, paragliding, winter skiing in
the Serra da Estrela, surfing, off road
motocross and 4x4 rally driving.