covão dos conchos looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie - a portal to the matrix or pandora, perhaps. this giant, 15 metre wide sink hole sits in the middle of a pristine lake in one of portugal’s national park, exuding a terrifying yet magnetic presence. in actual fact, the water hole is a man-made tunnel, built in 1995 to divert water from ribeira das naves to lagoa comprida. whilst the actual origins of covão dos conchos may be far less exciting than one would like to imagine, its appearance is no less bewildering - a bizarre subject for avid photographers to capture, surrounded by pristine waters for a refreshing afternoon swim.

how to get there

situated in serra da estrela national park, covão dos conchos is only reachable on foot, via a 10km hike that starts at lake comprida. the closest town to the park is seia, the second highest point in the country and a popular ski destination.

the area

covão dos conchos isn’t the only attraction in the area. the manmade water hole sits in the vast and beautiful serra da estrela national park. spend the day venturing out on one of the park’s beautiful mountain tracks, passing by flowing rivers and gushing waterfalls. in the autumn, the park is a stunning display of ochre, red, and golden hues, in the winter, an eerie frosted scape of white and icy blues.