Camping & the Enchanting “Aldeia Mágica”

A Journey Into the Forgotten

Tucked deep within the dramatic folds of the Arouca Geopark, far from roads, shops, and signal towers, lies a village you can only reach on foot. Drave—known to some as Aldeia Mágica, the Magic Village—is an uninhabited hamlet of slate houses and silence, suspended in a lush mountain valley between the peaks of Serra da Freita, São Macário, and Arada.

Here, time seems to have stopped. There’s no electricity, no running water, no commercial tourism. Just granite paths, wind-sculpted ridges, and a cluster of crumbling stone buildings bearing witness to a once-thriving rural life. If you’re willing to walk the trail in, Drave will offer you something very few places still can: real stillness.

Hiking to Drave: The PR14 “Aldeia Mágica” Trail

• Starting Point: Regoufe village

• Trail Distance: 4 km (one way)

• Duration: Approx. 2 hours

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Best time: Spring or autumn for comfort and colour

The hike begins in the small mountain village of Regoufe, known for its abandoned wolfram mines. Trail PR14 is well-marked, but don’t be fooled by its short distance—steep inclines, loose rock, and exposure to the elements make this a serious hike. Bring proper boots, plenty of water, and sun protection.

As you gain elevation, panoramic views open up across the Freita range, revealing terraced hillsides and shale formations carved by time and rain. Look out for ancient cart tracks etched into stone and delicate rivulets threading their way down the valley.

The final descent into Drave feels surreal: a secret world slowly revealed through breaks in the ridge. The moment you spot the first slate rooftops nestled in green, you’ll understand why so many describe arriving here as dreamlike.

---

Arriving in Drave: A Village Lost in Time

Drave is made up of around twenty slate structures built from the stone beneath your feet. The only splash of white among the earthy hues is the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Saúde—a simple chapel that still hosts an annual celebration every 15 August, when former residents return for the village’s one remaining tradition.

Highlights:

• Solar da Drave – The grandest of the old houses, once home to the influential Martins family, complete with balcony and wine cellar.

• Espigueiros & Currais – Traditional granaries and stone pens near the village entrance speak of communal farming days long past.

• Natural Pools – The Ribeira de Palhais cuts through the valley, forming cold, clear pools perfect for a swim or riverside picnic.

There are no shops, no signal (except rare spots with MEO), no luxuries—and no distractions. In Drave, your only calendar is the sky.

---

Camping in Drave: What to Expect

Since 2003, the Corpo Nacional de Escutas (Portuguese Scouts) has adopted Drave as its National Rover Base. Thanks to their efforts, part of the village has been stabilised and cleaned, making it a base for learning, conservation, and community.

Wild camping is allowed, but basic. You’ll need to bring everything with you: tent, stove, food, water, sleeping gear, and a deep respect for Leave No Trace principles. Visitors typically pitch by the stream or near the restored scout structures if permitted. At night, the sounds of the river and rustling leaves replace any hum of modernity.

Tip: The skies here are exceptionally clear—bring a blanket and sit out for the stars.

---

Sample Itinerary: A Two-Day Escape

Day 1

• Drive to Regoufe (approx. 2 hours from Porto)

• Park at the trailhead and start hike by late morning

• Arrive in Drave by early afternoon

• Set up camp, explore ruins, cool off in the creek

• Watch the sunset from the Solar steps or the chapel hill

Day 2

• Early morning mist walk and quiet breakfast

• Explore agricultural terraces and ruined mills

• Break camp and hike out mid-morning

• Stop in Regoufe for rest and refreshments before heading home

---

Why Drave Stays With You

A Place Where Time Stands Still
There are few places left where silence feels sacred. The village’s amphitheatre-like valley absorbs sound, while its abandonment creates a strange peace. Time stretches out here in a way that’s rare and restorative.

A Story of Rural Portugal
Drave isn’t just a picturesque ruin. It tells the story of land abandonment across Portugal’s interior. Entire generations left for the cities or emigrated abroad. By 2000, no one lived in Drave. What’s left behind is both haunting and beautiful—a monument to change.

A Beacon for Youth and Nature
The Scouts’ ongoing presence here is more than symbolic. Their environmental education projects and restoration work are preserving this unique spot for future generations, making Drave one of Portugal’s few Centres of Excellence for Nature and Environment.

---

What to Bring: Essential Packing List

• Solid hiking boots (essential for uneven terrain)

• Minimum 2L water per person

• Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses

• Food and high-energy snacks

• Tent, sleeping bag, mat

• Small stove and utensils

• Torch or headlamp

• Insect repellent

• Offline maps (mobile signal is unreliable)

• Trash bags to carry everything out

Note: If you plan to sleep in one of the scout-restored buildings, contact the Arouca Geopark or Drave Scout Base for permission.

---

When to Visit

• Spring (April–June): Lush greenery and wildflowers

• Autumn (September–October): Rich colours and milder temperatures

• Winter: Atmospheric but cold—bring proper gear

• Summer: Beautiful but exposed—go early and carry extra water

• 15 August: Festa de Nossa Senhora da Saúde brings rare crowds, music, and tradition

---

 

Final Thoughts

Drave is not an easy place to reach—and that’s exactly the point. You earn your entrance, and what you find is not a tourist site but a quiet reckoning with nature, history, and the passage of time.

There’s no ticket booth, no café, no postcard stand. Just a trail, a story, and the sound of water in the valley. What you carry in and what you take away—those are the real souvenirs.

If you’re seeking a hike that feels like time travel or a place to disconnect fully and wake to birdsong rather than notifications, then Drave may be one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets. Come prepared. Leave lighter. And let the magic do the rest.

GPS Coordinates for Drave & Trailhead

• Aldeia de Drave: 40.861150 N, ‑8.117211 W

• Trailhead parking (Regoufe area): ~40.876993 N, ‑8.133014 W 

Use those GPS points to set your navigation system precisely.

---

Getting There by Car

• From Porto or Lisbon, drive toward Arouca via A32 and EN326.

• Near Regoufe, turn off onto M567 when you see signs for Regoufe. 

• Follow the village road into Regoufe. Parking options are limited—stop at the first safe layby or small parking area you find.

• Some sources mention a rough dirt track driving close to Drave (~3.5 km) but it’s not recommended for regular cars; consider still hiking PR14 for safety and clarity,

---

Hiking from Regoufe: Trail PR14 “A Aldeia Mágica”

• Trail length: ~4 km one way (~2 hours each way)

• Difficulty: Moderate—steep in places, uneven terrain, minimal shade.

• Well-marked with PR14 signage from Regoufe to Drave.

---

Suggested Route Step-by-Step

1. Set GPS or offline map to Regoufe trailhead: 40.876993 N, ‑8.133014 W

2. Park in Regoufe—spaces are scarce, so go early or midweek.

3. Begin hiking PR14 toward Drave. Follow signs labeled “A Aldeia Mágica.”

4. After about 4 km (~2 hours), you’ll arrive at slate structures, chapel, and natural pools. That’s Drave.

5. To return, retrace the path back to Regoufe.

---

When GPS Might Mislead

• Some mapping apps show rough rural roads continuing toward the village—but these may be unpaved and hard to navigate. Best stick to the official trail unless you’re in a high-clearance, experienced off-road vehicle.

---

Quick Navigation Checklist

---

Final Tips

• Offline maps or GPX: Download a PR14 map beforehand, since mobile signal is spotty.

• Trail conditions: After rain or in winter, the descent/ascent can be slippery and require more caution.

• Time buffer: The short distance feels slow—don’t count on signal or shortcuts.