Espinhalのおすすめツーリングルート

Here, the trail unfolds alongside the Rio dos Mouros (or Caraglio Seco, as it's called in these parts) on a wide path that shares its route with the Camino de Santiago and the GR26 Terras de Sicó. On one side rises the village of Fartosa and, shortly after, the Gerumelo mountain. On the other, you see its "brother," the Germanelo mountain, and the silent ruins of the old Rabaçal Castle.

Penela Castle stands atop the rocky outcrop that gave it its name (peñela, "small stone hill"), dominating the town with imposing walls and towers dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Founded in the 11th century by D. Sesnando Davides, it formed part of the Mondego defensive line, and its walls still reach 19 meters in height today. From the original fortress arose the castle that later served as a keep. On the walls, facing the Serra da Lousã mountain range, stand out arrow slits and loopholes, marks of its long military life, from arrows to firearms. Penela preserves three historical entrances: the Porta da Vila (Town Gate), the evocative Porta da Traição (Gate of Treason), with its double opening and Moorish inspiration, and the Porta do Relógio (Clock Gate), a reminder of the old breach where two towers collapsed in the 1755 earthquake. In short, a castle small in form, but enormous in history.

Penela Castle is a medieval fortress with an irregular plan and winding outline, stretching from north to south taking advantage of the natural cliff, so that the walls vary in height between 7 and 19 metres. It was part of the Mondego defensive line during the Christian Reconquista.

I visited in mid-June 2025 and was surprised at how much water was still running. How nice that we had a rainy winter.

Beautiful and relaxed route

beautiful castle, the foundation of which is carved into the rocks

LouzanPark has facilities to support all activities carried out in Serra da Lousã, such as hiking trails, mountain bike trails in their various forms (Downhill, Cross Country and Enduro), trails, and also off-road tourist trails. LouzanPark has changing rooms, an auditorium, a café, a meeting room, a bicycle workshop, a transport service and an information desk.

A very beautiful castle. There were few visitors on Sunday, which makes it possible to relax.