Every September, Penela transforms into a vibrant canvas of tradition and nature as it hosts the Festa de São Miguel, a celebration that pulses with history, culture, and the rugged spirit of the Portuguese countryside. This festival isn’t just a cultural event — it’s an invitation to step onto the trails that frame this ancient town and engage directly with its fiercely authentic landscape and community.

Located about 35 kilometers from Coimbra, Penela offers a gateway to adventures that thread through oak forests and limestone cliffs, with the Festa de São Miguel providing a unique lens into local heritage. The festival honors Saint Michael, the town’s patron, through lively religious processions, traditional music, and local gastronomy — all set against the backdrop of Penela’s dramatic natural contours.

Adventurers will find plenty to draw them in beyond the festivities. Penela’s surrounding terrain features hikes ranging from 8 to 15 kilometers, with elevation gains averaging between 300 to 600 meters. Trails push you gently into the Serra do Sicó hills where granite outcrops sharpen the skyline and forested paths hum with the presence of ancient cork oaks and wild olive trees. The air here dares you to breathe deeply and keep pace as the land curves and dips, revealing expansive views over the Mondego River valley.

Timing your visit during the festival means mornings might start cool and misty, perfect for setting off on a hiking loop before the afternoon crowds arrive in town. Paths vary from earthen forest roads to rocky stretches that challenge your footing — sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles come highly recommended. The pace of the hike will shift naturally, mirroring the land’s rhythms; sections of calm woodland walkways give way to steeper climbs where the terrain tests your strength and balance.

Hydration is key — fountains are rare once you leave the town limits, so carry adequate water, especially under September’s sun, which can press insistently by midday. Locals suggest starting early to align your hike with the cooler part of the day and to get back in time to immerse yourself fully in the festa’s embracing energy.

São Miguel’s feast speaks not only through its music and processions but also from the thick-smelling kitchens where chanfana (goat stew) simmers slowly, inviting returning hikers to refuel. The scent of roasting chestnuts and freshly baked broas (corn cakes) lingers in the air, a practical reward that anchors the adventurous spirit both physically and culturally.

Whether you come for the festival or the trails, Penela’s Festa de São Miguel offers an experience fiercely itself — an alliance of active engagement with land and legacy that respects endurance and invites participation. It is a chance to witness how terrain and tradition coalesce, where every step on the hillside trail and every note sung in the plaza connect you more deeply with this spirited corner of Portugal.