In the heart of Serra da Estrela, the municipality of Manteigas stands out for its intimate connection to the mountain. Inserted in the Vale Glaciário do Zêzere, is one of the most representative places of the Portuguese Serrano territory, where altitude, climate and relief shape both the landscape and human experience.
The village of Manteigas, with about 3,000 inhabitants, is surrounded by forest covered slopes, altitude pastures and water lines that feed the Zêzere River watershed. The territory is marked by a strong pastoral tradition, the presence of woolly attached handicrafts and a growing investment in nature and mountain tourism.
According to the Institute of Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), Serra da Estrela houses a great diversity of ecosystems, some of which are only in the country, and is habitat of protected species such as vulture-do-egypt and the iberic wolf. The area is part of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, classified since 1976.
A waterfall hidden in the middle of the mountain
At the end of a rail we can find the well of hell, one of the most visited corners of the municipality of Manteigas. Located about 1080 meters altitude, the place is accessible by a narrow road with a close near the village and also through signposted pedestrians. Its main attraction is a waterfall about 10 meters high, formed by the waters of the Leandres Ribeira.
The well of hell owes its name to the dark and deep appearance of the lagoon that forms at the foot of the waterfall, and also, as referred to in the City Council of Manteigas, to the intense noise caused by the water in full -time, which some ancients associated with something ‘infernal’.
One of the most affordable pedestrian routes in the region
According to Visit Centro de Portugal, the place is one of the most sought after in the region, especially in spring and fall. In summer, despite the mild temperatures of the mountains, the well remains cold, while in winter the waterfall can partially freeze, forming uncommon scenarios in the Portuguese continental territory.
The Pr1 rail, the Poço do Hell Route, is one of the most commonly used ways to visit the site. With about 2.5 km long, the route part of butters and allows to observe geological formations, native vegetation and points of interest such as views and old walls of agricultural support.
The landscape changes to the pace of stations
According to the ICNF, the rail crosses oaks and chestnut trees, humid areas and granitic slopes.
It is recommended to use appropriate shoes, especially on rainy days, due to the slope and moisture of the terrain. As for the road access road, although asphalted, it requires prudent driving.
Measures to protect the ecosystem
The growing popularity of the site has motivated proposals for regulating entry into periods of higher influx, similar to what already happens in other protected areas of the mountain.
The Diário de Notícias adds that the municipality is pondering the creation of walkways at more sensitive points of the track, with the aim of protecting the soil and reducing the environmental wear caused by intense pedestrian traffic.
A heritage that requires constant care
The Poço do Inferno is within the classified area of Serra da Estrela Natural Park, under regular surveillance by forest guards and environmental technicians. According to the place, the site is considered a point of interest to environmental education and interpretation of the mountainous landscape.
In addition to the waterfall, the route to Poço do Hell offers direct contact with distinctive elements of the mountains, such as the Serranos Matos, the rocky outcrops and the marks left by the glacial action. It is possible, on clear days, to observe the Zêzere Valley in all its extension, from the upper quota to the most founding agricultural areas.
A mysterious name in an imposing scenario
The visit is free and requires no marking. Still, local authorities recommend that visitors bring water, clothing suitable for weather conditions and maintain themselves on flagged rails.
The small dark lagoon, surrounded by peenas and dense vegetation, continues to surprise those who arrive for the first time.
The Poço do Inferno is today promoted as one of the main points of interest of the municipality of Manteigas and an example of valuing natural heritage in the mountain context.
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