GRZ Expedition 🥾 Stage 3: Mining Land
Ready for a new challenge?
The Zêzere Great Route is officially happening and the logistics are now fully set for an epic 370 km journey from the river’s source in Serra da Estrela to the Tagus. This is an all-year expedition divided into 9 strategic weekends from February to October.
We leave on Friday evenings to start hiking early Saturday and the pace will adapt to the challenge with some full trekking weekends and others mixed with local culture and gastronomy.
Participation & Logistics: We are limiting the group to 10 people with a 3-car logistics system to ensure everyone's mobility. Since we’ll be covering 370 km of beautiful but varied terrain, we want to make sure everyone truly enjoys the journey. Being in good physical shape and having a resilient mindset will help you get the most out of this adventure. To keep the group’s energy high and ensure we all reach the finish line, I’ll be personally selecting the team based on preparation and commitment to the project.
You’ll also need to be adaptable, as our accommodation will mix hotels, campsites, and wild camping. You don't have to commit to all 9 stages; you can join for the specific weekends that suit you best.
If you are looking to commit to a long-term outdoor project and complete one of Portugal's most rewarding expeditions, this is it!
🗓️ PROJECT PLAN
✅ #1 FEBRUARY ~ The Wild Beginning (28,2 km)
✅ #2 MARCH ~ Irrigating the Cova Valley (41 km)
👉 #3 APRIL ~ Mining Land (54 km)
☑️ #4 MAY ~ Meanders (24,5 km)
☑️ #5 JUNE ~ Under the Sign of Cabril (61,8 km)
☑️ #6 JULY ~ Only You and the River (22,9 km)
☑️ #7 AUGUST ~ The Return of the Mountain Range (28,4 km)
☑️ #8 SEPTEMBER ~ Arms of the River (67,5 km)
☑️ #9 OCTOBER ~ The Path of the Tagus (53,9 km)
Please note that the months and km for each stage are subject to change. While we aim to stick to the planned calendar, adjustments may occur due to unexpected events, such as extreme weather conditions or other unpredictable safety factors.
⛰️ HIKE #3 - Mining Land
Level: HARD
Type: Linear
Distance: ~ 54 KM
Elevation gain: 459 m
Descending: 547 m
Features: river view, mountain view
🧹SWEEPER
We are planning to have a dedicated sweeper for this expedition, and we’ll define who will take on this role before we hit the trail. For those not familiar with the term, let me explain why this is important:
The primary role of the sweeper is to maintain the pace of the hike and ensure group safety. Positioned at the very rear, the sweeper makes sure no one is left behind. If the group begins to spread out too much, if someone needs a break, or in case of an emergency, the sweeper will alert me (via walkie-talkie) to stop, allowing the group to catch up or address any issues. The sweeper also keeps a constant head count to ensure the integrity of the team throughout the day.
🛖 ACCOMODATION
Friday: Wild camping
Location: Km 10~15, by the river
Saturday: Wild Camping
Location: Km 25~30, by the river
🍴 FOOD
Friday: The Arrival lunch is entirely on your own. You can eat on the way, bring a meal from home, or sort it out once you arrive at the meeting point. Everyone is responsible for their own food and water.
Saturday: Self-Sufficiency & Expedition Mode You are responsible for all your meals (breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner). There are no opportunities to purchase food along the route.
Water: Free and unlimited water is available on the trail, provided you use a filter.
Self-Reliance: Ensure you carry enough fuel and calories for the full day and night.
Sunday: Closing the Stage
Breakfast: Each person is responsible for their own breakfast at the wild camping spot.
Sunday Lunch: We will finish the stage at km 54. We’ll have a group lunch in the village before heading back to Lisbon.
💧 WATER LOGISTICS
Water is abundant and safe to filter until km 28. Use a filter, but bring Aquatabs to ensure safety against potential biological contamination. Beyond km 28, filtration is no longer safe due to heavy metal contamination from a mine. You must buy water in the villages, located 7 km further ahead.
🛻TRANSPORTATION
Since the Zêzere Great Route is a linear trail, we will use a 3/4-car system to manage our logistics effectively. Here is how we’ll handle it:
Group Limit: The expedition is strictly limited to 10 people to fit perfectly into the 3-car setup.
Linear Route Support: At the start of each hiking day, we will coordinate the cars between the starting point and the finish line. This ensures that once we finish the stage, the transport is already there waiting to take us back to our accommodation or to the next point.
Shared Costs: Fuel and toll expenses will be shared equally among the participants in each car.
Friday Departure: We leave on Friday after work. Coordination for carpooling and departure times will be handled in our dedicated group chat once the final team is selected.
🧠 DON'T FORGET
SOS kit aid
Flashlight (headlamp is the best choice and important for this hike)
Good pair of shoes (especially for hiking)
Extra pair of socks
Mini towel
Food and water for during the hike
Stove and gas to cook if you want a warm meal
Poncho / Raincoat
Tent, mat and sleeping bag
Trekking poles
💬 Where we are discussing all of this
What is this community Active Hive?
Where I can find more activities?
I WANT TO KNOW MORE!
Everything you need to know is here
📸 Image and Video Consent
By attending this event, you grant Active Hive permission to use your image, voice, and likeness in any photos or videos taken during the event. These may be used in social media, websites, and promotional materials.
If you do not consent, please notify a organizer before the event begins.
⚠️ ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY
By joining Active HIVE and attending this event, you and your guests or minors accept the risks of participating, including travel. You agree to be responsible for your safety and equipment, and to hold all Organizers and members harmless for any loss, damage, injury, or death.
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