Torre (Serra da Estrela summit)

The Torre is the highest point of mainland Portugal, at 1,993 metres above sea level, and it sits on the plateau of the Serra da Estrela, in the centre-north of the country. Unlike most mountain summits, it can be reached by car, along a road that climbs through bare granite landscapes to the top, and for many visitors, a drive to the Torre is the main reason to come to the range. The setting is open and exposed, with a great sense of space and a different feel from the rest of Portugal.

The summit has been given a modest boost by human hands. The natural height of the rock is a little below two thousand metres, and in the 19th century, a stone tower, the torre that gives the place its name, was built on the top, said to have been added to bring the height up to 2,000 metres, which was considered a symbolic figure. The tower can still be seen, along with a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Good Star, Nossa Senhora da Boa Estrela, a statue of a shepherd that honours the mountain's pastoral tradition, and a few other structures, including a weather installation and a radar dome. In a stall nearby, shepherds' wives and shops sell the region's cheese, smoked sausage, honey and woollen goods, and a cafe provides coffee and warm drinks.

The landscape is the real attraction. The plateau is a broad, rounded expanse of granite blocks and low heath, scattered with boulders, and the views stretch over valleys and ridges, with the cliffs of the Cântaros massif, a steep wall of granite crags, in the distance. In winter, snow often covers the summit from December to March, and the area becomes the country's main skiing destination, with a small resort of lifts and slopes just below the top. Families come to play in the snow even when there is not enough for skiing. In summer, the plateau is cooler than the plains, with hikers walking the trails to glacial lakes and across the ridge.

Weather is the central concern. Cloud, fog, wind and cold can sweep in with little warning, even in summer, and the summit is often hidden in mist, so views are not guaranteed, and the temperature can be well below that of the valley. In winter, snow and ice may close the road, so check conditions before setting out, and bring warm clothes, waterproofs and sturdy shoes. In clear weather, the panorama stretches for tens of kilometres, and it is a favourite spot for sunrise.

The Torre can be combined with other sights of the range, such as the glacial valley of the Zêzere, the lakes of Lagoa Comprida and the waterfall known as Poço do Inferno near Manteigas, and the stone villages of the slopes. The summit is open at all times and free to visit. It suits drivers, walkers, snow lovers and photographers.