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All Portugal Loriga Covão da Ametade
AO Edited

Covão da Ametade

A glacial valley filled with silver beech trees in the mountains of Portugal.

Loriga, Portugal

Added By
Hanna V.
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Glacial valley   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Glacial valley   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
One of the peaks   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Silver beeches along the river II   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Silver beeches along the river IV   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Leaning trees   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Signpost   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
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Silver beeches along the river III   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Reflection in the water   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Stone picknick benches   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Tree roots   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Silver beeches along the river I   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Located at the beginning of the Zêzere Glacier Valley, Covão da Ametade is surrounded by three high peaks. They are known as the Three Cântaros, or pitchers. There's the Cântaro Raso, the Cântaro Magro, and the Cântaro Gordo. It is a popular place for hikers, mountaineers, and rock climbers.

This stream of water is the starting point of the Zêzere River. It is surrounded by silver beech trees, which are reflected in the water. This makes it a very photogenic spot as well.

Covão da Ametade is one of the remnants of the last ice age. Known as cirques, or covões in Portuguese, these amphitheater-shaped depressions are the product of glacial erosion. Covão da Ametade is the result of ice and glacial debris that accumulated in the head of the Zêzere valley. Its poor drainage let to an accumulation of sediment that now supports the growth of silver beeches and other vegetation.

Once parked, you hear the water streaming a short walk away from the parking. You're in the middle of the Serra da Estrela, so quite high in the mountains. There's a large park dotted with picnic benches and barbecue pits. Covão d'Ametade connects to Manteigas, so you can hike there. The distance to Manteigas is around 10.2 kilometers. 

Related Tags

Glaciers Mountains Geology Hiking

Know Before You Go

There's a small parking area on the N338 (40.327997206351164, -7.586769609507263), from here follow the signs that say [Cântaros] and [Lagoas] to the picnic area. Please note that since the place is high up, it is not accessible when there's snowfall.

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Community Contributors

Added By

Vrielinkie

Published

June 1, 2021

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  • https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/long-distance-hiking/the-wild-start-covao-d-ametade-manteigas-grz-on-foot-stage-1/40040086/#dmdtab=oax-tab1
  • https://www.centerofportugal.com/tour/glacial-valleys-route/
  • https://www.visitcovilha.com/en/destinations/covao-da-ametade-4/
  • https://www.visitmanteigas.pt/descobrir/covao-dametade/
  • https://cm-manteigas.pt/diretorio/covao-dametade/
Covão da Ametade
N338
Loriga, 6260
Portugal
40.328108, -7.587045
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Nossa Senhora da Boa Estrela (Our Lady of the Good Star)

Unhais da Serra, Portugal

miles away

Torre da Estrela

Loriga, Portugal

miles away

Covão dos Conchos

Portugal

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Loriga

Loriga

Portugal

Places 2

Nearby Places

Nossa Senhora da Boa Estrela (Our Lady of the Good Star)

Unhais da Serra, Portugal

miles away

Torre da Estrela

Loriga, Portugal

miles away

Covão dos Conchos

Portugal

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Loriga

Loriga

Portugal

Places 2

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