Burel Route
Overview
Summary
Jeep tour through the mountains, with stops related to shepherding and wool. Includes a meeting with a shepherd and a guided visit to Ecolã, revealing the burel-making process and the valorisation of Bordaleira wool.
The Burel Route begins at Ecolã, with a guided visit to the burel-making process and the valorisation of Bordaleira sheep wool. The journey continues with a jeep ride, revealing the mountains through landscapes and points of interest connected to shepherding. The excursion ends in Casais de Folgosinho, at the meeting with a shepherd, where the daily life of one of the oldest professions in the Serra da Estrela is discovered, shaped by knowledge and resilience.
4h
Duration
7
Maximum Participants
Manteigas
Start Location
09:00:00 - 17:00:00
Schedule
What's Included
What to Bring
Points of Interest
Ecolã
Ecolã is a traditional workshop in Manteigas where the wool of the Bordaleira sheep (an indigenous breed) comes to life, from shearing to finished pieces. Founded in 1925 and managed by successive generations, it preserves traditional processes while focusing on innovation and producing high-quality burel and textiles. The guided visit reveals the entire wool cycle and the know-how that connects the mountains to textile craftsmanship.
Vale de Sameiro
The Sameiro Valley unfolds in deep curves, flanked by tall mountains that accompany the ascent to the highest point of this “Povo Cimeiro.” Its vast and imposing scale marks the transition into the heart of the mountain, a landscape that impresses with its magnitude and strength.
Vale do Mondego
At the top of the Sameiro Crossing, the landscape opens up in an impressive display. Surrounded by varied landforms, the gaze follows the valleys carved by the Mondego River and stretches out to the plains of Casais de Folgosinho, in a vast and striking scene that reveals the diversity of the Serra da Estrela.
Encontro com o Pastor
In Casais de Folgosinho, meeting the shepherd reveals the daily life of one of the oldest professions in the Serra da Estrela. Pedro and Hermínio, the latter featured in the documentary “Ainda Há Pastores”, share stories, knowledge, and routines linked to shepherding. A moment of listening and direct contact with mountain life, shaped by resilience, memory, and the connection to the landscape.
Senhora de Assedace
Senhora d’Assedace is one of the most remarkable spiritual sites in the Serra da Estrela. Linked to transhumance, it becomes a pilgrimage site on September 8th, bringing together shepherds and mountain communities in an act of devotion and gratitude. This place preserves a strong connection between the landscape, faith, and the traditional practices of mountain shepherding.
€65.00VAT Includedper person
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