Roundtrip Coimbra to Alentejo with Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
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RouteXpert Chantal HV - RouteXpert
Last edit: 12-04-2020
Route Summary Driven on 15/09/2019
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Verdict
Duration
7h 59m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
360.88 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review There is a lot to visit in Coimbra itself. It is a wonderful old city with many sights, old streets and alley and lots of atmosphere. A city to wander through for hours and enjoy on one of the many terraces. Shopping is good on the outskirts of the city in for example the Forum or one of the other shopping malls.
Today we do not go shopping but touring and we take a ride in the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela.
The Serra da Estrela, the western spur of the Castilian separation mountains, has been a natural park since 1976. It covers an area of more than 100,000 hectares and is therefore the largest natural park in Portugal. The birth of the Serra da Estrela began some 300 million years ago. It was the time that the continents were compressed into one supercontinent: Pangea. The enormous pressure not only pushed up the plains to high mountains, but also brought liquid magma from the inside of the earth into the earth's crust, where it solidified into granite. What followed was a long period of erosion. The older layers of stone disappeared and the granite came to the surface. The mountains go on farther and farther and there would be little left of it if the continents hadn't 'collided' again. About 65 million years ago, the African continent began to move northeast, and the Iberian peninsula pressed against Europe. As a result, not only the Pyrenees would eventually emerge, but also some old worn-out mountains would be pushed up again, including the Serra da Estrela.
Beautiful winding roads, beautiful views and yet some beautiful visit / stopping places incorporated in the route give these 5 stars. This route was of course made the same for the Garmin, TomTom and Nav-App of MRA.
If you are not yet full, then this is possible on RP 7. In between refueling is the message because the ride is still 360 km. This is possible again on RP 23 and on the way back at RP 58.
RP 18 lends itself to a beautiful picture of the valley.
At RP 21 you can visit the Poço da Broca, described as "crystal clear water full of waterfalls where you hear the sound of running water, of the birds and the silence". There is also a restaurant attached to it.
At RP 29 we again enjoy a beautiful view to continue our way to RP 31, the "Torre".
The Torre is the highest point (1993 m) of the Serra da Estrela Mountains and also of continental Portugal. The Torre is not a striking mountain peak, but the flattened highest point of a mountain ridge. At the Torre, with the highest point in Portugal at 1993 meters, skiing is possible in the winter. There is a radar tower and weather station.
At the end of the nineteenth century it was 'scientifically' established that the climate in the Estrela was eminently suitable for curing tuberculosis, at the time popular enemy number one. From that moment on, larger and smaller sanatoriums came in different places.
Past Manteigas we take the beautiful N232. We drive alternately between the trees and the wide views, this is a wonderful, very quiet, winding road.
At RP 36 we have a coffee / stop and at RP 40 we take a nice photo at Lagoa Seca. At RP 41 you can walk on the "wall" of Lagoa Comprida and once again enjoy this wide view.
We continue our way back via Ponte das Três Enradas along the beautiful green Michelin roads. At RP 45 we make another detour to strengthen the inner person in the beautiful food boutiques around the square. Where needed, refueling can be done on RP 58 and via Vila Nova de Poiares we continue this green Michelin road back to our hotel.
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Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
Castelo Branco
About this region
Camilo Castelo Branco, 1st Viscount of Correia Botelho (Portuguese pronunciation: [kɐˈmilu kɐʃˈtɛlu ˈbɾɐ̃ku]; 16 March 1825 – 1 June 1890), was a prolific Portuguese writer of the 19th century, having produced over 260 books (mainly novels, plays and essays). His writing is considered original in that it combines the dramatic and sentimental spirit of Romanticism with a highly personal combination of sarcasm, bitterness and dark humour. He is also celebrated for his peculiar wit and anecdotal character, as well as for his turbulent (and ultimately tragical) life.
His writing, which is centred in the local and the picturesque and is in a general sense affiliated with the Romantic tradition, is often regarded in contrast to that of Eça de Queiroz – a cosmopolitan dandy and a fervorous proponent of Realism, who was Camilo's literary contemporary in spite of being 20 years younger. In this tension between Camilo and Eça – often dubbed by critics the literary guerrilla – many have interpreted a synthesis of the two great tendencies present in the Portuguese literature of the 19th century.
Allegations that he was initiated in Freemasonry in 1846, are somewhat contradictory as there are indications that, around the same time, during the Revolution of Maria da Fonte, he fought in favor of the Miguelists as "helper to the orders of the Scottish General Reinaldo MacDonell", who was active in the revived Order of Saint Michael of the Wing precisely to combat Masonry. Similarly, much of his literature demonstrates his ideals of legitimism and as a conservative and Catholic traditionalist.
Read more on Wikipedia
His writing, which is centred in the local and the picturesque and is in a general sense affiliated with the Romantic tradition, is often regarded in contrast to that of Eça de Queiroz – a cosmopolitan dandy and a fervorous proponent of Realism, who was Camilo's literary contemporary in spite of being 20 years younger. In this tension between Camilo and Eça – often dubbed by critics the literary guerrilla – many have interpreted a synthesis of the two great tendencies present in the Portuguese literature of the 19th century.
Allegations that he was initiated in Freemasonry in 1846, are somewhat contradictory as there are indications that, around the same time, during the Revolution of Maria da Fonte, he fought in favor of the Miguelists as "helper to the orders of the Scottish General Reinaldo MacDonell", who was active in the revived Order of Saint Michael of the Wing precisely to combat Masonry. Similarly, much of his literature demonstrates his ideals of legitimism and as a conservative and Catholic traditionalist.
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Route Collections in this region Paradors Pousadas And Iberian Passes
This collection is an end-to-end motorcycle journey across northern Spain and Portugal, shaped deliberately to unfold over eleven days with a clear sense of progression. Each stage builds naturally on the last, carrying the rider from the Atlantic edge of northern Spain, south through Portugal’s mountain heartlands and open plains, before returning north across Spain to finish back on the Cantabrian coast.
The journey begins on the Cantabrian coast, leaving Santander behind and climbing steadily inland towards Cervera de Pisuerga. The opening day sets the tone immediately, trading sea air for rising ground and greener hills as the road threads through northern Spain’s quieter interior. It feels purposeful without being rushed, easing the rider into the rhythm of the tour.
From Cervera de Pisuerga, the route pushes deeper into the Cantabrian highlands, crossing broad upland terrain and remote border regions on the way to Bragança. The scenery becomes more expansive, the roads quieter, and the sense of travelling through less familiar Spain grows stronger as the journey approaches Portugal.
Crossing into Portugal, the character tightens again through Montesinho and the Peneda-Gerês region. Roads fold into wooded hills and granite villages, with more frequent elevation changes and a greater sense of enclosure. This is riding that rewards attention and flow rather than outright speed, and it marks a clear transition into Portugal’s mountainous north.
The route then opens into the Douro highlands, running south towards Viseu. Valleys deepen, viewpoints lengthen and the riding alternates between fast, open sections and more intimate stretches that follow the land closely. The sense of scale increases without losing the feeling of remoteness that defines this part of the journey.
Climbing into the Serra da Estrela plateau, the collection reaches one of its defining high points. Portugal’s highest mountain range delivers wide horizons, exposed passes and a feeling of space that contrasts sharply with the valleys below. This stage stands out for its elevation, light and long views, and it feels like a natural midpoint landmark in the overall journey.
Dropping south from the mountains, the route transitions into the Beiras and Alentejo, carrying the rider from high ground into warmer, more open landscapes on the way to Évora. The roads relax into longer, flowing lines, and the pace of the journey subtly changes without losing interest or intent.
From Évora to Beja, the ride settles fully into the heart of the Alentejo. Cork forests, reservoirs and historic hill towns define the scenery, while the riding becomes smoother and more measured. These stages offer breathing space within the collection, allowing the rider to absorb the scale and atmosphere of southern Portugal.
Turning back towards the Spanish border, the route climbs again through Castelo and the border ridges to Marvão. Elevation returns, views stretch out, and the landscape regains a rugged edge. The dramatic setting of Marvão feels earned, sitting high above the surrounding plains and marking a clear shift back towards frontier territory.
Crossing back into Spain, the journey continues through the serranías and frontier regions of Castile, heading for Ciudad Rodrigo. Historic borderlands, rolling terrain and quiet roads reinforce the feeling of travelling through lesser-known landscapes, with riding that remains engaging through variety rather than intensity.
From Ciudad Rodrigo to Benavente, the route crosses the Castilla y León plains. Big skies, long sightlines and subtle changes in terrain define this stage, providing contrast after the mountains while maintaining a strong sense of direction as the journey turns decisively north.
The final day carries the rider from the Meseta back to the Cantabrian coast, closing the loop at Santander. As greener hills return and the Atlantic air reappears, the transition from inland Spain back to the coast provides a fitting and satisfying conclusion, both geographically and emotionally, to the journey.
Throughout the collection, the choice of Paradors and Pousadas anchors each day in history and landscape. These are not simply places to stop, but destinations that reinforce the character of each region and give the journey a sense of occasion from start to finish.
Taken as a whole, this is a coherent and rewarding Iberian tour: varied without feeling fragmented, demanding enough to stay engaging without becoming tiring, and designed to be ridden as a complete journey rather than a series of disconnected stages. It is best suited to riders who value flow, scenery and progression, and who appreciate the satisfaction of a route that unfolds naturally over time.
The journey begins on the Cantabrian coast, leaving Santander behind and climbing steadily inland towards Cervera de Pisuerga. The opening day sets the tone immediately, trading sea air for rising ground and greener hills as the road threads through northern Spain’s quieter interior. It feels purposeful without being rushed, easing the rider into the rhythm of the tour.
From Cervera de Pisuerga, the route pushes deeper into the Cantabrian highlands, crossing broad upland terrain and remote border regions on the way to Bragança. The scenery becomes more expansive, the roads quieter, and the sense of travelling through less familiar Spain grows stronger as the journey approaches Portugal.
Crossing into Portugal, the character tightens again through Montesinho and the Peneda-Gerês region. Roads fold into wooded hills and granite villages, with more frequent elevation changes and a greater sense of enclosure. This is riding that rewards attention and flow rather than outright speed, and it marks a clear transition into Portugal’s mountainous north.
The route then opens into the Douro highlands, running south towards Viseu. Valleys deepen, viewpoints lengthen and the riding alternates between fast, open sections and more intimate stretches that follow the land closely. The sense of scale increases without losing the feeling of remoteness that defines this part of the journey.
Climbing into the Serra da Estrela plateau, the collection reaches one of its defining high points. Portugal’s highest mountain range delivers wide horizons, exposed passes and a feeling of space that contrasts sharply with the valleys below. This stage stands out for its elevation, light and long views, and it feels like a natural midpoint landmark in the overall journey.
Dropping south from the mountains, the route transitions into the Beiras and Alentejo, carrying the rider from high ground into warmer, more open landscapes on the way to Évora. The roads relax into longer, flowing lines, and the pace of the journey subtly changes without losing interest or intent.
From Évora to Beja, the ride settles fully into the heart of the Alentejo. Cork forests, reservoirs and historic hill towns define the scenery, while the riding becomes smoother and more measured. These stages offer breathing space within the collection, allowing the rider to absorb the scale and atmosphere of southern Portugal.
Turning back towards the Spanish border, the route climbs again through Castelo and the border ridges to Marvão. Elevation returns, views stretch out, and the landscape regains a rugged edge. The dramatic setting of Marvão feels earned, sitting high above the surrounding plains and marking a clear shift back towards frontier territory.
Crossing back into Spain, the journey continues through the serranías and frontier regions of Castile, heading for Ciudad Rodrigo. Historic borderlands, rolling terrain and quiet roads reinforce the feeling of travelling through lesser-known landscapes, with riding that remains engaging through variety rather than intensity.
From Ciudad Rodrigo to Benavente, the route crosses the Castilla y León plains. Big skies, long sightlines and subtle changes in terrain define this stage, providing contrast after the mountains while maintaining a strong sense of direction as the journey turns decisively north.
The final day carries the rider from the Meseta back to the Cantabrian coast, closing the loop at Santander. As greener hills return and the Atlantic air reappears, the transition from inland Spain back to the coast provides a fitting and satisfying conclusion, both geographically and emotionally, to the journey.
Throughout the collection, the choice of Paradors and Pousadas anchors each day in history and landscape. These are not simply places to stop, but destinations that reinforce the character of each region and give the journey a sense of occasion from start to finish.
Taken as a whole, this is a coherent and rewarding Iberian tour: varied without feeling fragmented, demanding enough to stay engaging without becoming tiring, and designed to be ridden as a complete journey rather than a series of disconnected stages. It is best suited to riders who value flow, scenery and progression, and who appreciate the satisfaction of a route that unfolds naturally over time.
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