I have already taken this tour starting in several places. You can start in Manteigas, the climb to Lagoa (lake) do Rossim is very beautiful, but very difficult, or you can take the bikes in the car to Lagoa (lake) do Rossim and start cycling there. This last route is what I will describe here.
This is a route always made at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters, surrounded by very beautiful landscapes, in which you visit the two largest lakes in the Serra da Estrela, great for swimming and refreshing, both resulting from the construction of 2 dams, Rossim and Comprida lakes.
On this bike tour you can take the opportunity to visit Covão dos Conchos one of the biggest Serra da Estrela attractions.
Find also the giant stones with very curious formations, the “old man's head”, the “old woman’s head”, “black head” are some examples. You can also see some houses that were built with the use of local stones and to drink water in the place where the Mondego River born.
The path between Lagoa Comprida and Covão dos Conchos has areas with lots of loose stones, so it’s very difficult to ride. I advise you to do this part on foot. You can park your bikes near the Lagoa Comprida shops and then start walking to Covão dos Conchos. You’ll have to go till the end of Lagoa Comprida, always with the lake on your right side.
Route:
Lagoa do Rossim, Nascente do Mondego, Sabugueiro, Covão do Curral, Lagoa Comprida - Covão dos Conchos. On your way back you should return to Lagoa Comprida, Covão do Curral and after +/- 2 km you will have to turn right. You enter a dirt road, you will pass by Lagoacho lake and follow the same road, until the starting point, to Rossim lake.
It’s +/- 40kms tour, the most difficult part, where you’ll have to climb more, is between Sabugueiro and Lagoa Comprida. Always carry water, something to eat, sun cream and a warmer sweater, in Serra da Estrela we never know how is the weather, sometimes it changes very quickly.
