The Glacial Valleys Route
Unique in Portugal, the Serra da Estrela glacial valleys are evidence of how glaciation left its mark on the landscape.
This route allows you to trace the origin of the glaciers (the ice cap at the summit of the mountain), the valleys carved by the various ice tongues, and the deposits left by this moving mass of ice.
Come and discover the Glacial Valleys Route. This is a unique place, alive with nature.
Also situated on the north-east slope, the Covão do Urso glacier flowed from the Torre plateau, more precisely from Conchos, towards the location of the present village of Sabugueiro. It was around 6.5km long, but melted at an altitude equal to or higher than the Covão Grande glacier (1,000m)
Situated on the northeast slope, and consequently the best fed by snowfall, the Covão Grande glacier extended for a distance of around 5.5km in the direction of Money Cave. The ice was at least 150m thick, melting at an altitude of around 1,000m.
Situated on the west slope, the Loriga glacier almost reached as far as the current location of the town. Beginning at an altitude of 1,750m, near the Torre Plateau, it consists of a series of four large hollows, some of which are now being exploited for hydroelectric power. They trace a steep descent over a distance of 7km.
During the time of the glacier, the ice extended to a maximum height of 800m, removing the entire organic layer of earth and leaving exposed the bare and cracked granite surface that you can see today.
