We are in the realm of the cherry tree. In the first two kilometres of the climb, until we reach the village of Alcongosta, we will be accompanied by extensive cherry orchards! In April the landscape is unique with the white of the cherry blossom trees reminiscent of winter snow.In the months of May and June it will be difficult to resist the temptation, with the trees laden with red fruit.

Programme

  9am – Office opens in Amália Rodrigues Square – Multipurpose Pavilion – Fundão
10.30am – Departure from the Municipal Square
10.45am – Arrival at Alcambar
11.30am – Arrival at the forest ranger house and food replenishment

Registration is free but compulsory. You can carry it out here.

Description of the Route

In the first kilometres of the climb the slopes are moderate, not exceeding 6% in the first part, while getting steeper on the approach to Alcongosta.  Arriving at tAlcongosta, a parish known as the Cherry Capital, and with two wicker baskets with cherries and a chestnut tree in its coat of arms, we go straight ahead through the dreaded cobbles, over which we will cross the whole village for 1,272 metres, with an average gradient of over 7%.

The houses are mostly painted white, with many stone walls bordering the village streets, and backyards of luxuriant green, where olive trees keep the cherry trees company.  The last house in the village also marks the end of the cobbles and the beginning of the Alcongosta Forest Road, which was inaugurated in 2005 and the condition of which is still as good as new with excellent asphalt, helping to overcome the average slope that oscillates between 6% and 7%. The cherry trees here are being replaced by leafy chestnut and oak trees, which are a valuable help on warmer days.

As we reach the last kilometre of the climb, the vegetation becomes more undergrowth, allowing us to take in the whole of the Cova da Beira, with the cities of Fundão and Covilhã in the background and the imposing Serra da Estrela on top.  The tarmac road and the ascent end near the entrance of Natura Glamping da Gardunha, where it is possible to combine camping with contact with Nature, but with all the glamour of a Geodesic Dome. In this hotel unit it is also possible to replenish your strength in its Bar/Restaurant.

Epic Climbs

With the Aldeias do Xisto Bike Roads  project a concept has come to Portugal that is being fully developed in various mountain destinations around the world and especially in Europe. The concept involves characterising the route of the most emblematic and challenging climbs in Portugal, with specific signage that indicates to users the distance to the end of the climb, and the altitude and slope of the next kilometre. This concept is especially appealing to cyclists looking for this kind of challenge.