The mountains of Serra do Marao (highest peak 1416m) is an area of grand scenery in all directions, offering panoramic views as far as Spain and Galicia on a clear day. Some of the hills have been developed with wind farms as Portugal plans to be the vanguard of renewable energy.
Today we took a bus from town around northward and then west to find our way to the top of the ridgeline. We were absolutely blown away at the skill of the bus driver as he manoeuvred the bus up a very windy and narrow road which fortunately was paved. At times we could look downward several thousand feet and there were a few I am sure who were in prayer mode. We wondered what would happen if we actually met another vehicle on the way up, but since we did not, it was not something we had to find the answer.
At the top, which is above the alpine level, we had 360 degree views which would have been better with less distance haze but still very spectacular. I am sorry that the pictures really do not do justice. On the ground around we were dazzled with the blooming flowers. In particular the red and white heather mixed with a yellow blossom which I had been told the name but right now can not remember.
Along the ridgeline are the windmills for electric generation. At one of the windmills we came across a serviceman and I was able to have a bit of a chat with him. The towers are 60 meters high and they generate about 1.7 kilowatts which means nothing to me to be honest. What I did learn from the internet is that currently Portugal gets more than 1% (closer to 2%) of it’s energy needs from windmills and just recently opened up the first Portugal also recently inaugurated the world's first commercial wave power plant in the Atlantic Ocean off Aguçadoura, using technology developed in Scotland. They have a national goal to achieve 31% of their energy needs by renewable resources by 2020 and are on their way to achieve this goal. The windmills dotting the ridgeline may not be atheistically pleasing, but they are environmentally friendly.
Our hike today is to walk along the ridgeline pass several windmills until we reach the end of the ridgeline and then to decent about 3,000 feet to a village where we will be picked up by the bus. The walk along the ridgeline with the views and flowers were memorable. Having a chance to talk to someone working on the windmills was interesting, and no I did not get chance to go into nor up to the top of one. However the route down the front of the ridge to the valley below was not very exciting at all.
We started to the descent on an old road that had been put in to service some forestry efforts (all the trees had died due to a fire it appeared) that had been abandoned. As a result erosion on the steep grade of the road had a very damaging impact and we focused totally on watching our feet as we ensured to step over the water grooves, keep ourselves from tripping on the loose rocks and avoid slipping on the loose gravel. Once we dropped over the ridgeline we lost any breeze we had and was in full sun baking. The weather today was 32 degrees in full sun again so the trip down was not considered ideal or enjoyable, but doable. Once again we reached the village in the valley with some extra time to stop for a much needed beer and relaxation. We have suggested to Holiday Fellowship, the organization that plans these hikes, to look for an alternative route down from the ridge for future hikes.
Our evening was relaxing and we got our internet finally. So I am working on the pictures and writing for the blog as well as getting caught up on the emails.
Wes today had stayed back from hiking again and joined with Kate with a tour to the local museum. Wes discovered that he still is not as recovered as he likes and returned from the tour to sleep for a couple of hours. He did manage to get up and do some shopping for everyone at the grocery store before returning and going back to sleep in the afternoon. We have decided that if there is not any more improvement by next week when we reach Amsterdam, he will seek out another doctor.
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