Unveiling the secret of Covão dos Conchos
February 29, 2016
You probably never heard about Portugal's Covão dos Conchos. In fact, until the beginning of the year, this “monument” was a secret that remained unknown until three Portuguese presented it to the world. They challenge themselves to do the 2-hour hike in the Serra da Estrela mountains, carrying all the necessary equipment, and film this “mystery”. The video about the strange case of Covão dos Conchos went viral and this difficult access area is now part of the Portuguese landscape treasures.
© ProBilder
Unveiling the mystery beyond Covão dos Conchos
If you see Covão dos Conchos it sure seems like a nature masterpiece. Although, the tunnel was built back in 1955 to ensure the water diversion from Ribeira das Naves to Lagoa Comprida. The 1,519 meters long hole creates the illusion that the dam is broken, similar to a portal to the center of the earth. Recently another video was made – using a drone – where it is possible to see the channel more closely.
© Portugal visto do Ceu
If you are planning to visit this “secret” in Serra da Estrela the blog “Viagens à Solta” offers some recommendations:
- To bring walking shoes, preferably waterproof, some "snacks" and water;
- To wear appropriate clothing for the cold. Ideally dressing three layers (thermal underwear, then a polar and finally a waterproof warm jacket), gloves, hat and a headband or scarf;
- To avoid stepping on the ice, as it is very slippery.
So is this in Portugal?
Posted by: Jill Yael Weiner | March 15, 2016 at 07:53 PM
Yes, in the mountains of the Serra de Estrela, Centro.
Posted by: F de Almeida | March 16, 2016 at 06:54 AM
So cool!
Posted by: Natasha | March 22, 2016 at 12:48 PM
This is magnificent...!! The natural world is marvelous.....!! Thank you for sharing this rare treasure..!!
Posted by: cowgirldiva | April 13, 2016 at 11:50 AM
I went last week. In summer you need a hat and sun block - a drink and a sandwich are advisable.... but not 3 layers. Would NOT recommend visiting in winter. The path is very varied - river rocks in places with flowing water! Muddy and normal track as well. The going is not level so there are a few hills. It only took me 1 hour 15 minutes to walk back and that was with my 11 year old son. We took longer to get there as we enjoyed taking photos (you must stand still when you take them or you could miss your footing on the path).
The last part of the journey to the 'hole' is quite difficult as you have to either walk along the damn wall 30cm wide or climb down 1.5-2 m below (not wet) and walk through scrub bushes. Then you walk over rocks and through more bushes before you get there. The Frog chorus is fantastic. Amazing wilderness. When away from the lakes the 'silence' is all consuming!
Posted by: Julia Nicholson | June 10, 2016 at 01:32 PM
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Posted by: HHH Enterprises | June 18, 2016 at 05:40 AM
Oh my god. Yes, this man made natural resource is marvelous. Do people even read before commenting. Worst video ever. 3mins plus and it shows the actual interest point for two seconds at the end.
Posted by: Rob | June 24, 2016 at 06:27 AM
Hi
Is it possible to get there with a car?
Posted by: Moti Bar-Tal | June 25, 2016 at 03:37 AM
You have to hike 6 miles round trip from the road - about 2.3 hours.
Posted by: Portugal Adventures | June 25, 2016 at 08:43 AM
So where does the water come out? After it has been through a subterranean turbine?
Posted by: Kim | June 25, 2016 at 04:25 PM
Where do we start the hiking? And is it easy to find? :) I so want to see this!!
Posted by: Veronica | June 29, 2016 at 06:08 AM
This isnt natural, it's a man-made dam that is part of a hydroelectric system...it even looks man-made. To the person who said "the natural world is so marvelous"..: true! but sadly not in this case, at least not in the case of the spillway dam.
Posted by: inquisitive | June 30, 2016 at 02:37 AM
Winter is probably the best time to do this walk that begins in the largest lagoon of the Serra da Estrela and ending one of the most amazing.
Information Rail
Difficulty: Low
Category: Linear
Home: Long Pond (once in the pond parking, if you are facing the souvenir shops, you must follow the left of them, where there is a dirt road)
End: Covão of the Conchos
Length: 10 km (round trip)
Average time: 2:30 a.m. (roundtrip)
We started our walk along the Lagoa Comprida, the largest mountainous lakes. The sky is clear and the sun shines. The car thermometer, however, 5 ° C mark, or is freezing cold, demonized by a cold wind. Just leave uncovered the eye area and there we go.
The path follows the left side of the pond at this time of year is unusually full, with ripples pushed by the wind. Always followed by a dirt road, with some areas of loose stones. The vegetation is creeping and find themselves large granitic boulders, some in precarious balance. almost-fluorescent lichens make them even more beautiful.
http://www.viagensasolta.com/2016/01/a-pe-ate-ao-covao-dos-conchos-serra-da.html
Posted by: Afonso de Albuquerque | June 30, 2016 at 10:31 AM
How far is Conches Dam from Lisbon? Can I make one day trip, since I'm in Lisbon, right now?
Posted by: Afsaneh | July 17, 2016 at 02:53 PM
It is 3 hours by car, 4 by rail
Posted by: Jayme Simoes | July 18, 2016 at 10:39 AM
I wonder what is in the inside of that falls, it seems like a portal to another world, looks amazing
Posted by: Enakawat | July 30, 2016 at 05:27 AM
It is a drain, built in the 50s.
Posted by: Port Adventures | July 30, 2016 at 08:07 AM
Wow this is so magical, what a beautiful natural wonder!!! Magical portal to another world I bet! Where magical unicorns fly around and reading isn't fundamental....
Posted by: Ashley B | August 10, 2016 at 01:06 AM
I have one of these in my pond...... Though I never considered it a natural wonder since all it is is a drainage pipe.
Posted by: John | September 19, 2016 at 07:30 AM
what would happen if you fell in ??? would you survive. just feel like sliding down it x
Posted by: gail | October 10, 2016 at 09:11 AM
Put a water proof camara down there
Posted by: Sabrina | October 10, 2016 at 08:11 PM
It is a man- made wonder that totally look natural! Thanks for sharing this beautiful sercret in Portugal! Definitely will find time to visit this place. It will be in my bucket list.
Posted by: May Tan | July 22, 2017 at 09:55 PM
Agreed, this is beautiful! This is where magical fairies are born! I'd like to take a hike here on my unicorn and see this natural wonder of the Earth. Very breathtaking!
Posted by: Breeana | August 07, 2017 at 11:14 PM
Do you have to pre schedule a guide to take you on this hike? How much is the helicopter ride?
Posted by: Pamela | April 09, 2018 at 10:23 PM
Are there tours that take us there ?
Posted by: AJ | July 15, 2018 at 05:38 AM