Looking to embark on an extraordinary journey to the farthest reaches? How about a venture to the center of the Earth? Covão dos Conchos might just offer you that chance.
This mystical waterhole located in Portugal’s Lagoa da Serra da Estrela resembles something straight out of a science fiction movie.
But before your imagination runs wild, it’s essential to understand that this gaping hole isn’t a portal to another dimension. Instead, its enchanting allure is the result of human ingenuity.
Constructed in 1955 during the building of a nearby hydroelectric dam, Covão dos Conchos is an artificial lake. Its vortex-like spillway serves as a conduit, gathering water from Ribeira das Naves and redirecting it to the Bayou Lagoon Long, providing nearby communities with a vital source of fresh water.
Covão dos Conchos was a well-kept secret until drone footage of it was posted online.
It has a height of 4.6 metres and the opening has a circumference of 48 metres. The tunnel that collects the water is a whopping 1519 metres long.
Cascading waterfalls and moss growing around the opening of the man-made spillway make it look like a very natural part of the environment.
Getting there Covão dos Conchos is in the Serra da Estrela natural park, home to Portugal’s highest mountain range.
It’s far away from any big city, so to see the artificial wonder you will have to hike there.
The 8.9-kilometre-hike starts from the car-park at Lagoa Comprida. The journey is relatively flat, easy to follow and takes about two hours all up. See the full trail here.
You should still pack comfortable shoes and warm clothes if you are travelling in the winter time (the lake can freeze).
