Tom`s travels: Lousã (31/05/2015)

This day I decided to visit the really nice area near Coimbra called the Serra da Lousã. This area both historically and naturally interesting is filled with historical schist villages and nice hikes through forests in low mountains. I started my trip by taking the local bus, that is now replacing the metro line that will soon be built, from Coimbra to Lousã. The bus took nearly an hour because the road goes through small villages and up and down the hills. I eventually reached Lousã at 10 and started heading up towards the castle; 30 minutes later I reached the top of the hill and found the small schist castle probably built in the 12th century and surrounded by the forest. Close by was a sanctuary built on top of another hill and looking down towards the castle. I then decided to walk further inside the mountains and up towards the closest schist village: Talasnal. 45 minutes later I reached the top where Talasnal was located: a beautiful and small village where all the buildings and houses where built with schist stones. The village had many narrow streets passing between houses and the view from up there of the surrounding mountains was beautiful, the sunny day helped too. From there I walked another 20 minutes and reached another schist village: Casal Novo. Though smaller than Talasnal, the schist houses were as beautiful as in Talasnal however less touristy and thus less crowded since I was the only one there. Unfortunately like most of the interior of Portugal most houses, though renovated by a preservation society called the Aldeias do Xisto or villages of schist, were uninhabited and many were for sales since people prefer the coast. It was nonetheless great and nice to visit these beautiful and interesting villages hidden among the forests of the Serra da Lousã. It was time to go so I headed back down into Lousã. First I stopped at the castle again where I sunbathed while having lunch with the sandwhichesI brought, and after that I headed back into town where I took the bus back to Coimbra.