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In the middle of Lake Laca in Serra da Estrela, within the Serra da Estrela National Park in central Portugal, lies another small lake. This funnel-shaped lake attracts tourists' curiosity with its unusual appearance, resembling a "gateway" that seems to suck in everything around it.
The "funnel-like" opening in the middle of Lake Laca Serra da Estrela is a beautiful picture adorned with moss and crystal-clear water. Both sides of the lake are covered in lush green vegetation, massive rocks, and a clear sky. However, when viewed from above, this "funnel-like" opening gives a chilling feeling because the water flows continuously and powerfully without overflowing.
The lake is "bottomless" in winter.
In reality, this is not a "gateway to the underworld" created by Mother Nature as imagined by tourists. Covao dos Conchos is a man-made structure, a "funnel mouth" leading to another reservoir, built by local engineers in 1955.
Covao dos Conchos is part of the hydroelectric dam system in Serra da Estrela, functioning to divert water from the Naves River to Lagoa Comprida. In 1955, local engineers built the hydroelectric dam system in Serra da Estrela – Portugal's highest mountain range – and needed to transfer water from the nearby river to a main reservoir. Therefore, they created a 1,500-meter-long water tunnel from the river, named Lagoa da Serra da Estrela, and constructed the Covao dos Conchos intake funnel to channel water to Lagoa Comprida, where the dam was built.
The area surrounding the "funnel-like opening" is covered in green moss and grass, which thrive in the humid environment. This has transformed Covao dos Conchos from a gray "funnel-like opening" into a masterpiece of rare natural beauty.
Serra da Estrela National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including wolves, eagles, bison, and Estrela dogs. It also boasts a concentration of plant life such as sage roses, juniper, bluebells, and oak trees. Not only is it blessed with ideal vegetation, but Serra da Estrela is also the only place in Portugal where visitors can learn to ski.
Visitors can stop in the nearest town, Seia, for an overnight stay, meals, and to explore nature, especially Covao dos Conchos. Seia is only a 30-minute drive from Lagoa Comprida, and from there, visitors can walk to Covao dos Conchos, which is 4.8 km away. Another small town near Covao dos Conchos, Covilha, is also a pleasant stop for those seeking a relaxing getaway.
Plants grow around the edge of the lake.
If you're hiking the 4.8 km distance from Lagoa Comprida to Covao dos Conchos, remember to bring plenty of water, wear comfortable walking shoes, and dress appropriately for the mountain weather, as temperatures can drop suddenly, even in summer. Visiting Serra da Estrela in autumn or winter, while the weather is harsher, offers a much more spectacular view of the snow-covered, bottomless frozen waterholes.
Although Covao dos Conchos was built decades ago, it only gained fame in 2016 when drone photos and videos of the bell-shaped dam went viral online. Since then, people have become curious and nicknamed it "the road to hell" and "the gateway to the underworld" in this desolate mountain region.
