After the inauguration of Rota da Lagoa, three more proposals will be presented in Caldas da Rainha by the end of the year.
The Municipality of Caldas da Rainha is starting a new chapter in promoting tourism and well-being with the inauguration of the “Caminhos da Rainha” network of hiking trails. The project, which seeks to offer residents and visitors the opportunity to explore the municipality’s natural landscapes in an active and sustainable way, kicks off next Sunday, November 10, at 9am, in the parish of Nadadouro.
The partnership between the City Council and the Rio Maior Sports School (Polytechnic Institute of Santarém) has brought a project to the ground that promises to be much talked about. The program “Creation and Re-qualification of Spaces for Practicing Nature Sports”, launched in 2021, is already beginning to bear fruit with the creation of a network of pedestrian and cycling routes, which encourage the practice of outdoor activities, taking advantage of the best Caldas da Rainha has to offer.
With the rich biodiversity of the region and its many points of environmental interest, this project is the perfect invitation for those who love to be in touch with nature, whether for a relaxing walk or an adrenaline-filled pedal. In 2024, the trails and routes are ready to be explored by those looking for health, well-being and, of course, outdoor fun.
At the start of this project, the team set to work mapping out hiking trails, trail running routes and other accessible routes, as well as identifying areas for practicing extreme sports, such as climbing walls. The initial phase included a detailed assessment of each route, which was then geo-referenced to record the exact starting and finishing position, paying special attention to the distribution across all the parishes in the municipality.
The work resulted in a solid proposal that was presented at the beginning of 2022 and which, over the next two years, became a reality. In 2024, the final stage was set for the installation of signs on all the routes, after each path had been carefully cleaned. For this, the Parish Councils and Unions collaborated, ensuring that everything was done with quality and commitment.
The aim is clear: to create a network of accessible and challenging routes for everyone, from runners and walkers to extreme sports fans, all set in spectacular scenery and with a touch of adrenaline. The future is now and it’s for those who like to put their feet and hands to the test.
This Sunday’s inauguration marks the start of four walking routes that will take place throughout November and December, with paths varying in distance and degree of difficulty. The first will be the 12.8-kilometer PR7 Rota da Lagoa de Óbidos, which starts at the Nadadouro Parish Council and promises to dazzle participants with views over the famous Óbidos Lagoon.
New routes:
17 de novembro: PR4 Rota da Boavista, com 7,2 quilómetros, partindo da Junta de Freguesia de Serra do Bouro.
1 de dezembro: PR2 Rota do Paúl de Tornada, com 3,5 quilómetros, que começa na Reserva Natural do Paúl de Tornada.
8 de dezembro: PR1 Rota da Barragem (três quilómetros) e PR5 Rota de Alvorninha (9,3 quilómetros), que têm início no Pavilhão Multidesportivo D. José Policarpo.
This network, which has already seen the inauguration of cycling routes since September, promises to be an excellent attraction for those looking for outdoor sports activities, with options that appeal to both beginners and more experienced walkers.
With the creation of the “Caminhos da Rainha” network, Caldas da Rainha reinforces its commitment to promoting health and contact with nature, while enhancing sustainable tourism. For more information on the routes and the full agenda, interested parties can contact the City Council’s Sports Unit by e-mailing desporto@mcr.pt or calling 912 548 883.
If you’re a fan of asphalt paths, you can discover these and other routes in the region with these fantastic electric bikes. Click on the gallery and get to know these machines.
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