This is another set of photos of the roads inside Seven Hills National Forest (Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes) in the City of Tomar. This is a forest that used to belong to the Order of Christ, but there was a time, for about a century it belonged to a family called Costa Cabral who also owned the Convent of Christ. On this occasion I focused my attention to people, which in this case is my family. Along the way we stopped here and there and as usual I was always pressing the shutter button of my camera.
In our walk around the roads of Seven Hills Forest we stopped for a while and I shot this picture of my son and wife
This is a bifurcation road at Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes in Tomar.
In this case we decided to take a dirt road at the Seven Hills Forest in Tomar rather than an asphalted ones
When we left the garden of the Seven Hills Forest or as I mentioned (in Portuguese) in the title, Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes in Tomar, the forest itself started, and once there you can take different routes in those hills. You may not know them well but it’s hard for anyone to get lost. These roads always go to someplace that will give you a clear idea where you are. It is just a matter of time for you to find your way back to the main entrance of the forest.
Most roads or routes at the Seven Hills Forest were built for both pedestrians and cars, but nowadays I was told that cars are no longer allowed there. I didn't see any kind of vehicle there
It was a mildly hot morning when we walked around Mata dos Sete Montes in Tomar, but the shades kept all of us comfortable
My wife and son walking around the roads of the Seven Hills Forest in the City of Tomar
Until now I have mainly shown photos of the garden of the Seven Hills National Forest (Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes) in the City of Tomar, but it’s time to include pictures of the forest itself, especially the walking routes where you can move about without any specific destination. Once there you can take your time to clear your head and relax, to listen for the nature sounds all around you, to interact with nature, explore the natural wonders, take photos like I did, etc. At the end of the journey you’ll feel more energetic and alive.
This is one of the many walking routes at the Seven Hills National Forest in the City of Tomar. Here you can relax and take your time to enjoy the natural surroundings
There was a time cars were allowed here. I remember to have driven my car around this routes at the Seven Hills Forest in Tomar. Now I think only pedestrians are permitted access
At the time I walked around these routes at the Mata dos Sete Montes (Seven Hills National Forest) in Tomar, I only saw a lady who was walking a dog. The lady ahead of me is my wife and my son was with us too
At the end of the Garden of the Seven Hills National Forest in Tomar, also known as Cerca, you reach an area with a large empty space. There are just a few benches around and not much more. I’m not sure what was the purpose of this space in the past, as this forest and gardens used to be part of the Convent of Christ. After this area, there’s a small children’s playground and when I was a kid I used to play there, especially on Sunday afternoons. It’s in this area that the garden of Cerca ends and you can start your journey into the forest.
This is an empty space at the end of the garden of the Seven Hills National Forest. After that staircase there is a small children's playground, which isn't much used nowadays
When I was a kid I used to walk up and down those stairs, to play in the children's playground, especially on Sunday afternoons. My house wasn't far from here as I lived at Avenida Cândido Madureira in Tomar
After those set of stairs and the kids playground, the Seven Hills National Forest in Tomar begins, filled with roads made of dirt, leading us through beautiful surroundings
Gardens are an integral part of almost all cultures and lifestyles in the world and that’s why I am taking my time with the garden of the Seven Hill National Forest in Tomar, which starts at the end of the Avenida Cândido Madureira. Almost everyone enjoys a beautiful garden to relax and I personally admire those who spend time taking care of gardens, especially one which means so much for the City of Tomar and myself. As a kid I lived nearby and this garden and forest was a charming place to me. In these photos you can see the gardener working his magic on the Seven Hills Forest
The gardener of the Seven Hills National Forest in the City of Tomar sprinkling the garden, near the entrance. From this spot you can still see the statue of Henry the Navigator in the distance
A close up photo of the gardener of the Seven Hills Forest in Tomar, in his blue jumper, taking care of the plants and flowers around the garden
In this photo you can see the gardner, but also my son who was enthusiastically taking pictures around him. In the distance, at the end of the garden, the dense forest starts to take form
As soon as as you enter the gates of the Seven Hills National Forest in the City of Tomar, which is located behind the statue of Henry the Navigator, who was a Grand Master of the Order of Christ, you are presented with a beautiful garden, which is the starting point of your journey through the seven hills that surround this area. The vast woodland area with almost 40 hectares and this garden, are ideal places for you to walk around, relax and contemplate, alone or with your most meaningful people.
This is what you see when you enter the gate of the Seven Hills National Forest in Tomar. This is a big garden surrounded by a vast woodland full of wild pine trees, oaks, cypresses and century old olive trees
Rather than going to the end of the garden to explore the Seven Hills Forest, you can turn to the right or left and find one of the many paths to the woodland, to walk with your preferred people or jog around
A different view of the garden of the Seven Hills National Forest (Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes). From here you can enjoy a perfect romantic stroll with your partner
When you enter the gate of Seven Hills Forest (Mata dos Sete Montes) in Tomar, Portugal, to your right there are two a benches near a wall covered with beautiful climbing plants and flowers. It’s a beautiful green corner and my wife and son sat there for a while, talking and relaxing. On the other side of the wall, seen on these photos is the road that leads to the Castle of the Knights Templar in Tomar and the Convent of Christ.
When you enter the Seven Hills Forest you can immediately see a big garden and to your right there are these benches and beautiful climbing plants and flowers on the wall
On the other side of this wall covered with climbing plants and flowers, is the road leading to the Castle of Tomar, the Christ Convent and the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição
Same spot from a certain distance at the Seven Hills National Forest (Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes) in Tomar
I visited the Seven Hills National Forest (Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes) with my wife and son, not only because it’s a peculiarly charming forest but because I wanted to recollect with them my preferred place between 1962 and 1963, when I was a kid. I actually lived in a house a few metres away from the forest entrance, which you can see in these photos. The Seven Hills Forest (Mata dos Sete Montes) is a lush woodland with a huge garden, an old playground for kids, plenty of bay leaf and pine trees, parks and walking routes where you can wander for hours. In a way this was almost a trip back to my past.
This is the entrance of the Seven Hills National Forest in Tomar, Portugal
Approaching the main entrance of the Seven Hill Forest, which was my preferred place when I was a kid
Inside the Seven Hills Forest and from here you can see the statue of Henry de Navigator