In and around Vale da Forna
Vale de Forna is at the heart of Serra da Estrela Natural Park and the perfect launchpad for anyone looking to spend a few adventurous days surrounded by beautiful nature. Serra da Estrela is the largest mountain range in Portugal. Its peak, at 1,993 meters of altitude is the highest in mainland Portugal. The Natural Park is the largest nature conservation area of the country, covering about 1,000 km².
At Vale da Forna we offer several ways for you to make the best of your stay in Serra da Estrela. For the adventurous, we organise hiking, stand-up paddle and mountain biking activities. For the more creative, we offer workshops in ceramics, drawing and photography. If you are interested in any of these activities please contact us by email and we will come back to you with a tailor-made proposal that best suits your needs.
HIKING
During your stay, we propose to you several of Serra da Estrela's best hiking trails around Vale da Forna. On your hikes you can expect to see beautiful waterfalls, ancient forests and glacier valleys. You might be lucky enough to spot the native wildlife too.
ARTS AND CRAFTS WORKSHOPS
For the creative guests who are looking to get some inspiration from nature, we offer dedicated workshops in partnership with local organisations on a wide range of different activities. From wildlife and landscape photography to ceramics and drawing, Vale da Forma is the perfect creative hub to blend art and nature.
STAND UP PADDLE
Vale do Rossim, Senhora do Desterro and Lagoa Comprida are all wonderful places to cruise around on a paddle board. This fun family activity is easy to learn and a unique way to explore Serra da Estrela.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Serra da Estrela is one of the best spots in Portugal to do mountain biking and it offers bike trails for all levels. Mountain biking is a fantastic way to discover Serra da Estrela. At Vale da Forna we offer the possibility for guests to rent mountain bikes and we propose several accessible routes that are a joy to explore.
