where we are




The Mount of Oaks/Monte dos Carvalhos is the original name given to the piece of land where the community can be found.  Hidden in the agricultural lands below the Serra de Gardunha mountains, we are situated between the historic villages of Castelo Novo, Alpedrinha and Pova de Atalaia in the municipality of Fundão. Fundão is 20 mins drive away and is our local market town. Twice a week there is a local farmers market held there. Our nearest bigger cities are Covilhã to the north and Castelo Branco to the south.

GETTING HERE

To check our location - click on the map ikon on the tool bar. 

Train
Our nearest train station is Alpedrinha and there is a direct route to Lisbon. The journey takes about 4 ½ hours and on average costs 17E. There are 'faster' trains to Fundão - there are times when we can co-ordinate lifts from there, but we ask a little money to cover the extra costs of fuel! 

You can arrive by train from Porto to Alpedrinha. There is a change required, it takes longer than coming by bus, but it is still possible.

For details about the train services in Portugal check http://www.cp.pt There is a button to switch to English.



Coach
There is an international and national bus station in Fundão. For people coming from Porto, there are buses to Fundão and then a connection to Alpedrinha via train. From Porto to Fundão takes 4 hours by coach, there are several services daily. The buses leave from BATALHA, close to SAO BENTO metro station. To arrive with us the same day, you are best to catch a bus around 10am or 2pm.

From the Sete Rios bus terminal in Lisbon you can also take a coach to Fundão - again at least 4 buses a day. We prefer if you take the earlier buses and if you can co-ordinate the bus and trains so they can arrive in Alpedrinha train station.

Check the bus website for travel within Portugal http://www.rede-expressos.pt/  This too has an option for English.


By car/camper van/hitch-hiking

If you are coming from Lisbon or Porto, and taking the motorway allow approximately 2 1/2 hours for the trip. Madrid is 4 about 4 hours away by car.

On the A23 you want to take the exit for CASTELO NOVO/ ALPEDRINHA. Follow the directions ALPEDRINHA- ESTAÇÃO CAMINHO FERRO… 

You will come to a T-junction onto the N18, there you turn LEFT towards  Alpedrinha.

After about a couple of hundred meters you will pass several houses on your right – after these there are some post boxes. Slow down and start indicating to the right as you want the next right turn.  You will see a blue sign “Mount of Oaks” written in yellow, then turn right. 





From this turn onto the dirt track, getting to the land might take about 15 mins as you will be going slowly due to the condition of the road and enjoying the scenery!

From now on you are following these blue signs to direct the path.

You will cross a train track - slow down and look both ways before crossing!! 

 


Keep following the signs.....





There is a Portuguese rule which says, where there is no sign, just keep going straight. However, whenever there is an option for two roads the sign will show the way.


There is a left turn - it is marked by a sign - then you will carry on through the old walls.....






keep going straight ahead.



You will see this sign pointing to the right - take the turn to the right and keep going...



At this junction bear left - there is a parking place on your left if you would like to put your car there and walk the rest - simply follow the signs, down and then up. You will arrive at the stone house and straw bale building that are our main hanging out places.
                     FEEL WELCOME and at home...






When you see this sign you have MADE it - congratulations! Carry on up the hill and park on the right where there is a clearing.




IF YOU ARE WALKING TO US - get in touch before hand and we will provide directions. If you are planning to arrive on foot, best to do so during day light. Often we can collect people from the train station, but the walk is also really pretty.

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