Life in the Schist Villages

After meeting in Coimbra, you’ll travel into the Serra da Lousã to Aigra Nova, a once nearly abandoned mountain village now being brought back to life through a local regeneration initiative. Discover how new life is returning while traditions and the surrounding landscape are protected: a nursery for native trees, a grazing herd helping prevent wildfires, a small interpretation centre, and the craft of cork mask-making. Weather permitting, join a 2–3 hour walk with a local resident, mountain athlete, and trained biologist and geologist, who will reveal the nature and geology of this quartzite mountain range in Central Portugal. Lunch is served near a beautiful river beach, with local ingredients reimagined through creative cuisine. On the way back to Coimbra, pass through Lousã and its medieval mountain castle.

What makes this experience unique is the chance to witness rural regeneration as it happens. Once nearly abandoned, Aigra Nova is slowly coming back to life through the work of a local association and the people choosing to live and invest in its future. You’ll discover initiatives that connect tradition, ecology and new responses to rural challenges: a nursery growing native trees, a grazing herd that helps manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk, cork mask-making, and a small interpretation centre dedicated to this mountain territory. When conditions allow, a 2–3 hour walk with a local resident — a mountain athlete trained in biology and geology — offers a rare way to understand the Serra da Lousã through its rocks, plants, paths and stories. More than visiting a traditional village, this is an opportunity to see how a community and its landscape can be brought back to life together.

Your host is a passionate advocate for sustainable and responsible tourism, with deep roots in storytelling, community engagement, and the preservation of cultural heritage. With a background in journalism and years of experience working with traditional Portuguese artisans and rural communities, they have dedicated their path to creating meaningful connections between travelers and the real Portugal — off the beaten track, slow-paced, and full of heart. Partnering with a dedicated local association, formed by villagers committed to keeping their traditions alive, they work together to offer immersive, community-led experiences. The association plays a key role in safeguarding local knowledge, supporting biodiversity, and revitalizing the economy through sustainable tourism. Together, they create experiences that are not only enriching for travelers but also empowering for the people who call this place home.

Comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain Weather-appropriate clothing (layers recommended) Reusable water bottle Camera or smartphone for capturing the sights and people An open mind and willingness to engage with local traditions