To get to the village of Covas do Monte in São Pedro do Sul, follow a meandering trail of remarkable beauty that crosses the Freita mountains and overlooks Montemuro and Gralheira. Covas do Monte is located in the mountains of São Macário at an elevation of 450 metres, you can breathe clean air here. The lush countryside is speckled with herds, providing a pastoral atmosphere, with mountains all around that no one can ignore. Down here, freshwater runs, which is delivered to the settlement and disseminated around the fields using a conventional irrigation system.
The village is nestled in the slopes at the foot of the mountain and provides a one-of-a-kind hike through its small winding lanes and cluster of cottages, virtually all made in schist and with slate roofs. Take note of how they are spread and how well they blend into the landscape! In this little town that relies on herding, animals and people coexist. Cows, goats and lambs, walk out every day to enjoy the fresh meadows of the hills. They return at the end of the afternoon, and each one appears to know the route home, in a routine that is repeated and worth observing a remarkable image of rural country life.
It should be mentioned that pigs are still slaughtered in this area, therefore sausages and high-quality meat are regarded to be characteristics of the local cuisine. The village restaurant, Restaurant of the Association of Friends of Covas do Monte, is a must-see on weekends and is a point of pilgrimage. It is housed in an old elementary school and provides a lovely view of the mountains as well as a cuisine including regional specialities. Try the Gralheira kid and the Arouquesa cow, both native and verified breeds.
