Buracas do Casmilo: Hiking Guide to the Caves in Central Portugal

The Buracas do Casmilo Trail, in the Serra do Sicó, is one of the most popular hiking trails in central Portugal. At around 8 km (5 miles), it is a shorter version of the Rota do Sicó, a nearly 24-km (15-mile) circular route. There is also an even shorter option of less than 4 km (2.5 miles), ideal for those who simply want to visit the caves.

In this article, we show you how to hike the 8-km route, which is the trail we did, explaining the route, the main points of interest, and everything you need to know before setting off. At the end, we also include information about the other versions of the trail, so you can choose the hike that best suits your time and fitness level.

The main highlight of this trail is, without a doubt, the Buracas do Casmilo, an impressive group of caves and natural cavities carved into the limestone over thousands of years. In addition to this unique geological feature, the trail crosses the karst landscape of the Serra do Sicó, offering beautiful views over the mountains and surrounding valleys.

If you want to discover more hiking trails in Portugal, check out our guide to the best trails in the country.

Practical Information – Buracas do Casmilo Trail

Description of the Buracas do Casmilo Trail

The Different Hiking Options

The hike we describe here is the Buracas do Casmilo Trail, an approximately 8-km (5-mile) loop that starts and ends at the Casmilo Picnic Park. You’ll reach the Buracas do Casmilo after about 2 km (1.2 miles), and the caves are all concentrated in the same area, making them the main attraction along the route.

The trail is shaped roughly like a figure eight, crossing itself near the caves. This means you can shorten the hike considerably by turning around and following the same path back after visiting the Buracas. In this case, the hike is less than 4 km (2.5 miles) and involves much less elevation gain, making it a great option if you’re looking for something shorter and easier.

There is also a third option: the PR2 CDN – Rota do Sicó, a roughly 24-km (15-mile) loop that incorporates the Buracas do Casmilo Trail and takes you to some of the most impressive places in the Serra do Sicó. It’s a demanding hike that takes up most of a full day and is best suited to hikers who are in good physical shape. We didn’t do this longer route, so this article focuses on the 8-km version.

How to Get to the Buracas do Casmilo

The easiest way to visit the Buracas do Casmilo is by hiking this trail. From the Casmilo Picnic Park, it’s less than 2 km (1.2 miles) to the caves, mostly along a wide, relatively smooth dirt road. There is some elevation gain, but the walk is manageable for anyone reasonably comfortable with short hikes. Once you reach the caves, you can either turn around and return the same way or take the shorter loop, which is slightly longer but means you won’t have to retrace your steps.

However, exploring the Buracas themselves requires leaving the main dirt road and following short paths over dirt and rocks. Some of the cavities are a few meters above the main trail, so you’ll need to make a few short climbs on foot to reach the caves and explore this impressive geological formation. As you can see in the photos, there’s no way around these little climbs if you want to see the caves up close.

If you don’t want to hike, getting to the Buracas is more complicated. There is a dirt road that appears to allow vehicle access, but we weren’t able to confirm whether driving there is actually permitted. Either way, you’ll still have to walk the final few meters to reach the caves themselves.

Our Experience on the Trail

This is a relatively easy loop, especially during the first half, which mostly follows wide dirt roads with a fairly even surface. The hike starts at the Casmilo Picnic Park, next to the information panel, and heads toward the Escola dos Muros de Pedra Seca, where you can see the traditional dry-stone walls that are characteristic of this region.

Shortly afterward, we reached the lapiás area, a geological feature typical of the Serra do Sicó. These limestone formations have been shaped by water over thousands of years, creating a maze of grooves and cracks in the rock and giving the landscape a very distinctive appearance. When we hiked the trail, the lapiás were partly hidden by vegetation.

From here, the trail continues on a gentle downhill stretch and we quickly reached the Vale das Buracas do Casmilo, the main highlight of the hike. To explore the different caves, you need to leave the main trail and follow short paths over dirt and rocks. The climbs are short and manageable for most people.

The Buracas do Casmilo are an impressive collection of natural cavities carved into the limestone by water over thousands of years. Some are around 20 meters high and, over the centuries, they were used as shelter by shepherds and their flocks. Today, they are one of the most remarkable natural features in the Serra do Sicó.

After exploring the caves, the trail heads uphill along a long dirt-road climb to the highest point of the route. From here, you get wide-open views across the Serra do Sicó, although we didn’t find this to be the most memorable part of the hike.

The trail then descends for a little over 1 km (0.6 miles) toward the Vale dos Covões. In our opinion, this is the least interesting section of the route, as it passes through an area dominated by eucalyptus trees. Fortunately, the scenery soon changes as we enter a dense forest, where the trail is mostly shaded. This section is particularly pleasant on hot days, since much of the rest of the hike is exposed to the sun.

As we gradually gain elevation again, we return to the Buracas do Casmilo area, where the two sections of the route meet. From there, we follow the final stretch back toward Casmilo, passing the Dolina do Casmilo along the way. This is a small natural depression in the limestone. When it holds water, it forms a small pond that stands out against the surrounding dry landscape and provides another interesting example of the Serra do Sicó’s karst geology.

Although the route is relatively easy to follow, we came across a few unmarked intersections. For that reason, we recommend downloading the trail in GPX format to your phone or GPS device before setting out.

Distance and Trail Type

The version we did is a loop of around 8 km (5 miles) and takes approximately 3 hours to complete.

If you don’t want or can’t hike that far, you can always take the shorter loop, which is just under 4 km (2.5 miles). This version takes you from the picnic park to the Buracas and then returns along the final section of the longer route. Along the way back, you’ll pass the dry-stone wall school, the lapiás formations, and the dolina.

If you want an even shorter hike, you can simply return the way you came. You won’t see the dolina, but you’ll save a few hundred meters and avoid the steepest climb on the shorter loop.

Trail Signage

The trail is marked, but some signs are missing, so we wouldn’t recommend relying on the trail markers alone. We suggest downloading the GPX track to your phone or GPS device so you can follow it offline and check your location if you’re unsure which way to go.

When to Hike the Trail

In our opinion, this is a hike you can do year-round, but we strongly recommend avoiding hot days with intense sun, as there is very little shade along the route. On rainy days, the forest section can also become more challenging because of the mud and wet, slippery ground.

Since there are no water features along the trail, such as natural pools, ponds, or waterfalls, we think spring and fall are the best times to hike it.

Who Should Hike This Trail?

This hike is suitable for pretty much anyone with a normal level of fitness. The 8-km (5-mile) version doesn’t present any major technical challenges, while the shorter route of less than 4 km (2.5 miles) is accessible to most visitors. If you’re looking for a real challenge, there’s also the PR2 CDN – Rota do Sicó, a roughly 24-km (15-mile) route recommended only for experienced hikers.

What to Bring on the Hike

Since there aren’t any major physical or technical challenges, you don’t need to bring anything special for this hike. The most important thing is wearing hiking shoes or sneakers with good traction. We still recommend bringing:

• Water: at least 1 liter (34 oz) per person, and more if it’s hot;
• Snacks and lunch: if you’d like to stop for a small picnic;
• Comfortable hiking shoes: you can do the trail in sneakers, but make sure the soles have good grip;
• Comfortable athletic clothing;
• A rain jacket: in winter;
• Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen: in summer;
• A camera and your phone: there are plenty of opportunities for great photos. Your phone can also be used for GPS navigation;
• A small backpack to carry everything.

As always, please don’t leave any trash behind. Whatever you bring with you, take it back with you.

How to Get to Casmilo

The easiest way to get to Casmilo is by car. From Coimbra, it’s about a 30-minute drive, while Lisbon is roughly 2 hours away and Porto around 1 hour and 45 minutes. There’s plenty of free parking near the Casmilo Picnic Park. From there, simply follow the trail signs to start the hike.

The final few kilometers are along the EM609, which connects the EN1 with Casmilo, crossing the Serra do Sicó and the Furadouro area. It’s a narrow, winding mountain road, so drive carefully, especially when passing oncoming traffic.

Where to Stay Near the Buracas do Casmilo

The best place to stay near the Buracas do Casmilo is Condeixa-a-Nova. It’s a small town with several bars and restaurants, as well as hotels where you can spend the night comfortably. Here are a few suggestions:

• Conimbriga Hotel do Paço – a modern, renovated hotel with a great outdoor pool and garden.
• Residencial Borges – a more budget-friendly option with comfortable rooms and private bathrooms.
• Casa das Raposas – a great place to stay in the village of Zambujal, about a 10-minute drive from the trailhead.

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