Do you want to travel as far as possible? How about a trip to the center of the Earth? Covão dos Conchos could take you there.
The mystical waterhole in Portugal’s Lagoa da Serra da Estrela looks like something out of a science fiction movie.
Don’t let your imagination take you, the huge hole is not actually a portal to another dimension. Instead, its magic is a product of engineering.
Covão dos Conchos is an artificial lake built in 1955 during the construction of the nearby hydroelectric dam. The lake’s vortex-shaped spillway provides fresh water to nearby communities by collecting water from Ribeira das Naves and diverting it into Bayou Lagoon Long. Covão dos Conchos was a well-kept secret until drone footage was posted online.
It has a height of 4.6 meters and the opening has a circumference of 48 meters. The tunnel that collects the water is a whopping 1,519 meters long. The waterfalls and moss growing around the man-made spillway opening make it look like a very natural part of the environment. How to get there Covão dos Conchos is located in the Serra da Estrela natural park, home to the highest mountain range in Portugal.
It is far from any big city, so to see the man-made wonder you will have to walk there. The 8.9 kilometer walk starts from the Lagoa Comprida car park. The trip is relatively flat, easy to follow and takes about two hours in total. See the full tour here.
Still, you should wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing if you travel in winter (the lake can freeze).