In Cadaval, the Serra de Montejunto is known both for its designated hiking trails and its complex history. In addition, the annual festivals in Vila de Cadaval bring together gastronomy, exhibitions, performances and equestrian activities. Cadaval is where landscapes, festival culture and historic sites meet.
Serra de Montejunto: Protected Area and Hiking Trails
The Paisagem Protegida da Serra de Montejunto was established in 1999 and is shared by the municipalities of Cadaval and Alenquer. Four hiking trails are designated within the Serra in Cadaval municipality: Trilho da Quinta da Serra, Trilho dos Currais e Calçada, Trilho do Carreiro dos SS and Estação da Biodiversidade da serra de Montejunto. The protected area is shared by Cadaval and Alenquer; by contrast, the list of four trails specifically refers to Cadaval municipality. This makes it possible to distinguish the wider landscape area from the specific list of trails for Cadaval.
Festivals and Wine in Vila de Cadaval
Festa das Adiafas and Festival Nacional do Vinho Leve are held annually in Vila de Cadaval. Their listed features include gastronomy, exhibitions, performances and equestrian activities. Several regional wineries take part in Festival Nacional do Vinho Leve every year. They offer their Vinho Leve selections for tasting and sale. Dates and programmes vary from one edition to the next. If you choose to travel for one of the festivals, check the dates and programme for that edition before making plans.
Mills and Historic Traces
West of Pragança, a group of four watermills lies in a stream valley. Two of them were built in the early 19th century. Chafariz de D. Maria also adds a distinct historical feature: the fountain was built at the request of Queen Maria I at the end of the 18th century. Núcleo Museológico Castro de Pragança was discovered in 1893. The mills, fountain and discovery point to different aspects of the area’s history.
From Prehistoric Necropolises to Ice Production
The caves of the Serra de Montejunto were used as communal necropolises by successive prehistoric inhabitants of the surrounding area. A much later period is represented by Convento dos Dominicanos, also known as Convento de Nossa Senhora das Neves. Experts date it to between 1720 and 1765; during this period, it was probably an important place of worship. This spans a period from prehistoric times to the 18th century.
Real Fábrica do Gelo adds a distinctive form of production to this history. It was built in 1741 at an altitude of 600 metres in a cold, humid area. For 120 years, it produced blocks of ice to cool the royal court and Lisbon’s fine cafés. Forno de Cal Tradicional is also thought to be connected to the complex: it was probably built to supply lime for its mortar and to whitewash its silos.
Getting There and Planning Your Trip
Bombarral railway station is the nearest station to Cadaval, about seven kilometres away. Check train services and onward connections before travelling. To decide what to focus on during your trip, you can compare festival dates with Cadaval’s landscape and historical attractions.
Discover more destinations: Cadaval, Vermelha, Odivelas, Mafra, Lisbon, Azambuja, Oeiras, Vila Franca De Xira.
For the main travel overview: Lisbon.
