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The Truemans' Treks - Walk
7 -
Country Lanes
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The
interesting village of
Olalhas between Tomar and Ferreira do Zęzere is the
start of this lovely walk, following country lanes
through orchards and rural villages.
Please note that
this is an easy walk but can be confusing with a number
of twists and turns, so please heed the route
description well and use the map. If you do become lost,
just head for Cabeca de Carvalho, Vialongo, Bodegao and
Olalhas.
Location:
Olalhas, central Portugal
Distance: 10
kilometres
Time: 3 hours
Map: Carta Militar
Numero 311 |
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There is plenty of parking in
Olalhas next to the beautiful church in its centre. Note
that this is not the
small chapel you pass on the left as
you enter the village.
1.
Go behind the church, keeping it to your left and
the road to the cemetery is off to the right. Walk
to the cemetery and wander round before returning on
the road towards the church. After 50 metres (before
reaching the church), there is a short track on the
right running downhill between two ruins. Follow
this track and cross the road at its end. Continue
along the track opposite with a large wall on your
left spelling out OLALHAS in stone. Follow the track
as it turns left, then take the first track to the
right, leading downhill out of the village. |
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Olalhas Cemetery |
Butterflies collecting nectar |
Abandoned Bedford Trucks |
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The cemetery is worth spending some time in quiet
reflection before starting the walk proper. It is
beautifully maintained, if somewhat crowded – you
certainly wouldn’t be lonely if you spent eternity here.
From the far end, there are also superb views towards
the distant hills.
2.
Follow the track, ignoring any turnings, to its end.
When you meet the road, turn left then almost
immediately right down another track, similar to one
you have just left.
These pretty tracks are reminiscent of country walks in
England except for the olive trees, grape vines and the
fact that it probably isn’t raining.
3.
Follow this track, again ignoring any turnings, to
its end where you turn left by a ruin and, after
about 20 metres, turn right along another track,
bordered by oak and pine trees, until it reaches a
junction. Turn left then almost immediately right
downhill to a road.
4.
Cross road and follow the left hand track down
through an area which looks as if it was devastated
by the hurricane of 2010. Follow the track into the
village of Cabeca de Carvalho. As you reach the
village, turn left then almost immediately right
down a short road between houses. At the end of the
road turn right.
On this track we saw heather covered in marsh fritillary
butterflies, going about their busy work collecting
nectar.
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Tiled House |
Homestead |
Abandoned Bedford Trucks |
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5.
Follow the road for 400 metres as it bends left past
two new impressive villas on your left. After the
bend, continue along this quiet road for another 300
metres and look for a track on the right next to a
tiled house. Take this track, turning left almost
immediately along a footpath. Follow the footpath
for 200 metres then take the turning to the right,
dropping downhill. Continue on this track, ignoring
any turnings until you reach a small community,
where you turn right, then right again on a road
towards Pardielas.
Here there are, unfortunately, new plantations of the
ugly and ubiquitous eucalyptus trees. I understand that
farmers must make a living, but these trees are ruining
the countryside, depriving the land of valuable water
and light, thus preventing the beautiful natural
landscape from prospering. Here endeth the lesson.
It was also on this track where an overgrown garden is
decorated with old, abandoned Bedford trucks. I want
one.
6.
Follow this road for 600 meters as it bends to the
left and on to a crossroads where you turn left.
After 200 meters, look for a track on your left,
which you follow for a further 300 metres, again
ignoring any turnings, until you reach the main
road.
At the bend there is a homestead made from an old lorry
trailer with a robust new roof and double glazed windows
and wooden door. A lesson in improvised house building
and recycling.
7.
At the main road, turn left and continue for 300
meters before turning right just before a café (Rua
do Regedor). This is an ideal spot to take a
well-deserved cup of coffee before continuing your
journey. Turn right at the café and follow the road.
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Track with good views |
Views |
Eucalyptus Trees |
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8.
Follow this road as it bends to the
left, then uphill and sharply to the right into the
village of Vialonga. When you reach a T junction in the
village, turn left and. After 100 metres right. Follow
this road past the church (on your left) and take the
right fork just after the church. After 50 metres turn
left and this track takes you to a main road at Bodegao.
The church porch is
a lovely refuge from the sun and is where Sue and I sit
and munch sandwiches and drink flask tea, much to
amazement of any passing locals (or priests).
9.Turn
right along the main road and, after 200 metres, take
the track on the left which meanders through orchards of
cherry trees. After a further 200 metres you meet a main
road where you turn right. After a further 150 metres,
turn right again along a track just before a house.
The first track
gives good views of the far hills. The second track cuts
through vineyards and gives good views of the large
Quinta de Carvalho on the left where, I assume, the wine
is produced from the growing grapes.
10.
At the end of the track, turn left
back through the village to the church and your starting
point.
On the village road
there is a typical Portuguese tiled house with an
abundance of potted plants and flowers. Garish, but very
attractive in a Portuguese sort of way. |
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