One network, four territories
The 28 Schist Villages are distributed across Serra da Lousã, Serra do Açor, Zêzere and Tejo-Ocreza. Visiting the entire network in one trip would be tiring; six days allow you to discover a coherent selection.
Serra da Lousã
Use Lousã or Miranda do Corvo as a base for Cerdeira, Candal, Talasnal, Chiqueiro, Gondramaz, Casal de São Simão or Ferraria de São João. Choose two or three per day and respect narrow accesses and outdoor parking.
Serra do Açor
Continue to Benfeita, Vila Cova de Alva, Aldeia das Dez and Fajão. Combine heritage with Mata da Margaraça and Fraga da Pena only when access and fire risk allow.
Zêzere and Tejo-Ocreza
Álvaro, Janeiro de Cima, Janeiro de Baixo, Barroca, Pedrógão Pequeno, Água Formosa and Martim Branco show different relationships between stone, river and community. Distances look short on the map, but the roads are slow.
Walking and swimming
Use only signposted Shale Paths and confirm distance, level differences and maintenance. On river beaches, check water quality, surveillance and local conditions; Calm water in plain sight can hide depth and current.
Respect for villages
They are inhabited places, not scenes. Do not photograph people or interiors without consent, reduce noise, take waste and favor local accommodation, restaurants and crafts.
