Vila Nova – Nature, Trails and Culture

Viewpoints and mountain trails are among the nature highlights; the market and festival each have their own recurring dates. The differences below can help you decide before your trip which aspects of Vila Nova interest you most.

Landscape and Views

The Vila Nova parish includes a 1,348.23-hectare section of the Serra da Lousã Natura 2000 site. At around 900 metres, Alto da Relva de Tábuas is the highest point. On a clear day, the view stretches across Baixo Mondego, from the Atlantic to the areas around Castelo Branco. If you plan to visit this viewpoint, bear in mind that clear skies are required.

Hikers on Vila Nova’s footpaths may encounter deer and wild boar. The mountain trails also offer views of Miranda do Corvo and the mountain slopes. This gives you two different nature highlights for walks and hikes: possible wildlife encounters and views of the surrounding landscape.

Hiking and Cycling

Since 2015, dedicated signage for hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers has provided information about trail difficulty and distance. The Trail Running and BTT Centre offers 14 cycling routes totalling around 230 kilometres, spread across four difficulty levels. For navigation, both the approximate total length of the cycling routes and their range of difficulty are relevant; the trail signage also provides information about difficulty and distance.

The centre uses Casa do Reis to support sporting activities and to host training camps, seminars and workshops. The offer therefore includes not only cycling routes but also these other sport-related uses. If you are choosing Vila Nova for outdoor activities, you can distinguish between hiking trails, trail running and mountain biking, and take into account the information provided for each type of route.

Sanctuary, History and Music

The main chapel of the Nossa Senhora da Piedade de Tábuas Sanctuary dates from the second half of the 16th century. A mamoa was also identified in Vila Nova: a prehistoric burial site in the form of a mound covered with stones. These two traces represent different historical periods: the dated chapel and a prehistoric burial structure.

Vila Nova’s Iberian music festival is called FOLK NOVA. It takes place in Vila Nova and usually features several folk-rock bands. The festival in honour of Nossa Senhora da Piedade is also an annual event, held on the Sunday after 8 September. This follows a different rule from the monthly market, since the festival date is based on the calendar date in September.

Market and Outdoor Swimming Pool

The Mercado Tradicional de Vila Nova has been held monthly since 2010, on the penultimate Sunday of each month. It sells handicrafts and food from family farms. If you want to include a market visit in your trip plans, the penultimate Sunday is the date to note. The market thus combines a fixed place in the monthly calendar with a range of handicrafts and food products.

The municipal outdoor swimming pool is on the slope of the Serra de Vila Nova, next to Casa dos Reis, and offers views across a large part of the municipality. If you plan to visit the pool, check the current opening hours in advance. This lets you distinguish this viewpoint from the mountain trails and Alto da Relva de Tábuas, which are also associated with landscape views.

Discover more destinations: Miranda Do Corvo, Semide.

Return to the main travel overview: Miranda Do Corvo.