The Mata Nacional do Buçaco (or Bussaco, both spellings being correct) consists of an area of 105 hectares, comprising a wide variety of fauna and flora, located in Mealhada, on the border between the districts of Aveiro and Coimbra. The entry (surrounded by a wall) is free if done on foot. For access by car, you need to pay €5/car.
Being a large area, we leave here a few tips to make the best use of this destination. Additionally, you can purchase a map at the tourist station for the symbolic price of 0.50€ (em dezembro de 2020). You can also consult the map made available online by Mata do Bussaco Foundation (here.)), but with less detail compared to the one available in the store.
Palace Hotel and Convent of Santa Cruz
The Hotel Palace of Buçaco, whose construction began in 1888, was completed a few years later, destined for Queen D. Maria I. Currently converted into a Hotel, this construction immediately captures the eyes of those who arrive here.
Around it, there are several staircases and, on one side, tile panels with moments alluding to the discoveries and the Battle of Buçaco.
To visit its interior, they need to stay there, and can do so through several platforms.
Next to the Hotel we find the Convent of Santa Cruz, linked to the religious practices of the Discalced Carmelites. Appearing to be a small building due to its funneled entrance, its interior convinces by its majesty, opening into wide spaces.
Despite being free of charge, the Convent has opening hours that coincide with the tourist office opposite, so keep that in mind when visiting. Here you can also opt for a guided tour (paid).
Around it we find a wonderful garden, extremely well maintained, framing the hotel in the landscape and creating almost an entrance to the densest part of the Buçaco Forest.
Cold Fountain
One of the main attractions of this destination: the Cold Fountain. This consists of a fountain that joins two distinct water lines of Buçaco, creating a cascade effect through a long staircase.
The Cold Fountain Lakeat the bottom of the staircase was a later addition, resulting from a reconstruction of this part of the forest. Here we recommend that you take a walk and get to know the fauna and flora of this area, such as Vale dos Fetos.
To get here you can do the route by car, staying very close to the Palace. On the access road to the central part of the forest, there will be a roadblock (with signs) leading to an area where you can leave your car. From there it is only a few meters walk to the top of the stairs.
Be aware that, as the name indicates, this area is very cold due to the water and dense vegetation, so we recommend that even in summer time you take a jacket with you.
High Cross
The High Cross is, in our opinion, one of the places not to be missed in Buçaco. Being the highest point of Serra do Buçaco (547 meters high), this represents the final stop on the Via Crucis.
It is also at this viewpoint that we have a breathtaking landscape: from the Atlantic Ocean, to the Caramulo Mountains and the Estrela Mountains.
This viewpoint is accessible by roads, in good condition, where cars can even pass or, as we chose to do, on foot. The access on foot is through the so-called Relic Forest, the most dense and oldest part of this forest, and is our next recommendation.
Rails
The National Forest of Buçaco has a total of 4 rails : the Water Trail (which focuses more on the Fonte Fria region), the Relic Forest Trail (which goes from the Hotel Palace to the High Cross and from there to the Gates of Coimbra), the Military Trail (which goes to the Military Museum, outside the wall of the Forest), and the Via Sacra Trail (recreating the route taken by the friars who lived here).
As we mentioned before, you can choose to buy a map with the indication of the trails in the tourist/information office, costing 0.5€. In this space, the route that was recommended to us was Relic ForestThis is because it allows us to get to know the farthest and most beautiful part of the forest: the 'adernal', one of the most primitive and dense parts of this area.
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