Challenge and overcoming

The Aldeias do Xisto are the gateway to a diverse range of tourism and leisure opportunities in close contact with nature and the region’s culture. This unique landscape in Portugal is the setting for some of the country's best infrastructure for active tourism, including cycling, trail running, canoeing and climbing. The culture of "sport for all" and the quality of the facilities and information available in the networks’ partners’ services offer the opportunity to practice a whole range of sports, for both amateur and professional enthusiasts. If you want to test your limits and overcome yourself, there's a challenge waiting for you in the Aldeias do Xisto.
 

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On foot

There are hundreds of kilometres of foot trails that cross the Aldeias do Xisto Schist Villages and are shrouded in their nature and culture. The Schist Paths are short circular routes, starting and ending at the same point in the villages. They are all duly certified, have different levels of difficulty and are supported by technical and general signposting. They can be walked individually if you want to test your physical limits, or casually in the company of family or friends.

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By Bicycle

The Aldeias do Xisto were the first Cyclin' Portugal destination in the country. With a high level of culture linked to the practice of the various types of cycling, whether for competition or leisure, they cross a landscape with ideal characteristics, quality infrastructures, having held national and international events of both a competitive and casual nature, and tourist programmes and services especially aimed at lovers of the sport. There are dozens of trails duly signposted, with various levels of difficulty, supported by a network of mountain bike centres and Bikotel accommodation specialising in welcoming cyclists. Here you can challenge all your dexterity and endurance on off-road tracks, on epic climbs that recall the mountain stages of the most mythical world races, on dizzying downhill descents, or on trails where official competitions have already taken place. Find out more in the link below.

• Cyclin’ Portugal
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GRZ- Grande Rota do Zêzere trail

With 370km the Great Zêzere Route follows the river from its spring, in Covão d'Ametade, to its mouth, in Constância, along 13 municipalities, crossing one of the most environmentally diverse natural areas in the country. Designed to be multi-modal, the GRZ route, which takes you through important national landmarks such as Serra da Estrela, Aldeias do Xisto, Castelo de Bode and the River Tejo, can be done on foot, by bike or canoe, all at once or in steps. Find out more in the link below.

• Grande Rota do Zêzere trail
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Trail Running

The Aldeias do Xisto Trail Running Training Centre in Vila Nova (Miranda do Corvo), offers a set of marked trails throughout the municipality, where contact with the Serra da Lousã mountain range and the local people is the focus. In total, there are 90km of trails with 4 levels of difficulty. In Miranda do Corvo you will also find the Abutres Trail Running School, the first trail running training project in Portugal. The World Trail Championship, UTAX, Trilhos dos Abutres race, Louzantrail, or the Benfeita Trail are some of the events that have been showing the potential of this territory for the practice of the sport.