Type: Linear Pedestrian; Distance: 8,2 Km
Average Duration: 2h00m (pedestrian) 40m (MTB)
The Peso, also known as Santa Maria madalena do Peso, is a traditional mountain village located on the right bank of the Zêzere River. The village is located in a region blessed by nature, with the great Serra da Estrela as a neighbor. About its origins, legend has it that a muleteer crossed the river there one day with his bag on his back. While crossing the river he lost part of the goods without realizing it. When he reached the other bank, feeling more relieved, he sighed: “Oh, what a burden!” This exclamation was in contrast to the one he had at the beginning of the crossing: “Oh, what a weight, damn it!” This story spread to the people who quickly rushed to call “Peso” the place on the right bank of the Zêzere, and “Pesinho” on the left bank.
Peso is proud of its natural, cultural and architectural heritage, highlighting the 12th century Mother Church, the Divino Espírito Santo Chapel and the Senhor dos Paços Chapel, the Chafarizito and the Sanctuary to Our Lady of La Salette. The local gastronomy is rich, namely the preparation of chickpeas with eggs, sausages (blood sausages, rice puddings and Moorish chorizo), fried eggplants with eggs, partridge stew, light bread and the famous brulhões.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE
Saindo deste local pela estrada de alcatrão em direção ao Fundão, a GRZ atravessa o Zêzere e, cerca de 1400 m depois, sai para estradas agrícolas que percorrem esta margem separando os férteis campos do rio, até chegar ao Pesinho. Aqui acompanha a estrada principal para mudar novamente de margem e chegar ao Barco.
Leaving this place on the tar road towards Fundão, GRZ crosses the Zêzere and, after about 1400 m, leaves for agricultural roads that run along this bank separating the fertile fields of the river, until reaching Pesinho. Here you follow the main road to change the bank again and reach to Barco.
