Ecopista do Dão - Cycling in central Portugal along an abandoned railway line
Easy cycling in a beautiful landscape in the center of Portugal
The "Linha do Dão", until 1988 a railroad between Santa Comba Dão and Viseu in central Portugal, was opened again in 2011, but now as a bike and walking path called the Ecopista do Dão. With its 49 km, it is not only the longest Ecopista in Portugal, but probably the most beautiful as well.The first part of this path, which passes in front of Quinta da Abelenda, runs along the banks of the river Dão. Every bend in the river is followed by a bend in the Ecopista, with stannic views.
Later on, the Ecopista leaves the river, but the landscape remains very beautiful, with views of mountains and valleys covered with oaks, cork oaks and chestnut trees, but also some vineyards, cultivated land and small villages. In the distance the mountains of the Serra do Caramulo (in the north) and the Serra da Estrela (in the south) are always present.
Easy cycling and walking. Because this cycle path used to be a railway, there are no steep slopes and it is very easy to cycle, although it is a mountainous area. The path is paved with colored asphalt, blue in the county of Santa Comba Dão, green in Tondela and red in Viseu.
Because of the length (49 km) and the fact that motorized vehicles are not allowed, the Ecopista is also appropriate for training the marathon.
Accommodation along the Ecopista do Dão. Quinta da Abelenda, Bed & Breakfast and self catering cotages, is located at the side of the Ecopista do Dão, at Km 47, only 2 km from the beginning of this cycle path in Santa Comba Dão. This lovely Quinta has 2 wooden cottages available for guests. The river Dão is only 200 meters away. Quinta da Abelenda has several bikes for rental and it's an excellent area for walks.
Suggestions
We recommend to start in Santa Comba Dão / Quinta da Abelenda. In that case you will rise slowly towards Viseu, almost without noting it, but cycling back will be easier.
- 14 km (7 forwards, 7 back): From Quinta da Abelenda to Km 40. Just after the second bridge, turn right on a unpaved road to the river (100m). A spectacular spot to have a break, a pick-nick or swim.
- 40 km (20 forwards, 20 back): From Quinta da Abelenda to Tondela. At Km 28,7 turn left at the former station, pass the center of Tondela and continue to Tonda. Have lunch in Tonda in restaurant "Os 3 pipos". Afterwards, continue downwards to the Ecopista. On the way back to Quinta da Abelenda, visit the place of the first suggestion.
- 47 km (one way, downwards): We bring you and the bicycles from Santa Comba Dão (Quinta da Abelenda) to the beginning of the Ecopista in Viseu. From there, you cycle the 47km back on a gently sloped constant descent, making it very easy to bike. See our package DESCENDING THE ECOPISTA + TRANSFER.
- 94 km (47 forwards, 47 back): Cycle all the way to Viseu, visit the city, have lunch and cycle back.
Along the Ecopista only at:
- Km 7,5 - Figueiro. The former station of Figuieró is now a nice café, open every day of the year.
- Km 16,5 - Farminhão. Also a former station. Now a café and good restaurant.
Description of the Ecopista
The descriptions below corresponds to the kilometer markers that you encounter every 500 meters.
| Km 49,2 | Beginning of the Ecopista, station of Santa Comba Dão We recommend to start in Santa Comba Dão. In that case you will rise slowly towards Viseu, almost without noting it, but cycling back will be easier.How to get here by car? How to get here by public transport? Photos Ecopista near Santa Comba Dão |
| Km 47,1 | Bike Rental Commencement other cycle tours 
All in Quinta da Abelenda, easy to reach by car.Bike rental Package DESCENDING THE ECOPISTA + TRANSFER Other cycling tours |
| Km 47,1 | Quinta da Abelenda
Bed and Breakfast and self catering cottages by the side of the Ecopista.Accommodation at the Ecopista |
| Km 44,5 Km 43,2 |
Bridge over the river Dão Station of Treixedo 
The old railway bridge over the river Dão was fully recovered and is now part of the cycle route.Photos of the bridge over the river Dão and of the former station of Treixedo |
| Km 40,0 | Nagosela 
Just after a second brige, turn right on a unpaved road to the river. A spectacular spot to have a break.
At Km 37,5 the pavement changes from blue (county of Santa Comba Dão) to green (county of Tondela).Photos near Nagosela |
| Km 34,5 Km 33,5 |
Former station of Tonda Dão vineyards  
Between km 40 e 30 you will have lovely views over the valey of the river Pavia. Lots of oaks, cork oaks and chestnut trees, and also some nice vineyards
Near the former station of Tonda iniciates another bike routePhotos Station of Tondela and ruins of Santa Ovaia Other cycling tours |
| Km 28,7 Km 25,5 |
Tondela Ruins Station Santa Ovaia 
The Ecopista passes the city of Tondela, but you hardly notices the movement of a city as it does not pass through the center. If you like to visit Tondela, turn left at the station.
Further on, the Ecopista passes the ruins of the station of Santa Ovaia.Photos Station of Tondela and ruins of Santa Ovaia |
| Km 24,0 Km 22,2 |
Church of Canas de Santa Maria (ruins) Former station of Sabugosa 
The old Romanesque Gothic Church of Canas de Santa Maria, built in the fourteenth century.Photos of the church and Sabugosa |
| Km 19,0 Km 18,0 Km 16,5 |
Former station of Parada de Gonta Tunnel of Stª Catarina Former station of Farminhão (café / restaurant)   Parada de Gonta is an old village, worth visiting.The tunnel of Santa Catarina is about 200m long and illuminated with solar electricity, not always working. The pavement changes from green (county of Tondela) to red (county of Viseu). The former station of Farminhão, now a café and good restaurant. Photos Parada, the tunnel & Farminhão |
| Km 11,9 Km 10 |
Torredeita - Steam locomotive Mosteirinho  Enter the steam locomotive from 1885, which is stationed in the Torredeita Station.In Mosteirinho, the Ecopista continuous over a beautiful bridge designed by Eiffel. Photos Torredeita, steam locomotive and Mosteirinho |
| Km 7,5 Km 5,3 |
Former station of Figueiró (café) Travassós de Orgens  The station of Figuieró is now a nice café, open every day of the year from 07.00h in the morning until 02.00h at night Photos Figuieiró & Travassós |
| Km 3,3 Km 0,6 |
Tondelinha Vildemoinhos  Almost in the city of Viseu.Photos Ecopista near Viseu |
| Km 0 | Viseu The end (or the beginning) of the Ecopista in the Avenida da Europa in Viseu.How to get here by car? How to get here by public transport? |
How to get to the Ecopista in Santa Comba Dão ?
only at the end of the platform is a road sign that marks the beginning of the Ecopista
By car:
- From Lisbon / Porto / Coimbra: Take the A1 in direction Porto / Lisbon. Either from Lisbon or Porto, take the exit Viseu / Figueira da Foz (IP3), near Coimbra. Follow the IP 3 in the direction of Viseu and just before Santa Comba Dão take the exit Vimieiro. (Caution: This exit is very bad signalized, after a corner, just 300 meters before the exit Santa Comba Dão.)
- From Salamanca (Spain) / Viseu / Santa Comba Dão: Enter Portugal in Vilar Formosa. Take the A25 in the direction of Aveiro. Near Viseu turn to the IP3 in direction of Coimbra. About 1 km after Santa Comba Dão turn to Vimieiro. (Caution: This exit is very bad signalized, but is just after the bridge over the river Dão)..
- GPS: Latitude 40.390578988973864, Longitude: -8.124700784683228
- Lisbon, Coimbra and Guarda have direct connections with the station of Santa Comba Dao (Intercity), located in Vimieiro.
- If you are coming from Porto by train, you have to change trains in Pampilhosa or Coimbra.
- The Portuguese Railways have a very good time table on-line (in English). Fill in the name of the departure station, the name of the arrival station (Santa Comba Dao) and the date you like to travel, to get all the connections of that day.
- At the station of Santa Comba Dão, there is nothing that indicates the beginning of the Ecopista. Only at the end of the first platform is a road sign that marks the beginning of the Ecopista. From here it is 200 meters over um unpaved road to the beginning of the Ecopista do Dão.
How to get to the Ecopista in Viseu?
what remains of the
old train station of Viseu
Location of the Ecopista in Viseu:
- Rua Ponte da Azenha, behind the Avenida da Europa.There is almost no information to find, but you will see the red painted pavement of the Ecopista.
- GPS: Latitude: 40.67455209412037, Longitude: -7.924232482910156
- Viseu doesn't have a train station
- The buses of the "Rede Expressos" have a site with a time table on-line.
Ecopista do Dão - Cycling in Portugal
