Description

Vale das Lobas is a Nature & Health Sanctuary, a tourism destination for Well-Being, Discovery and Biodiversity in the Serra da Estrela district of Portugal.

Vale das Lobas is a model for rural regeneration, based on a holistic approach. The goals are to restore health, revitalise community and regenerate biodiversity. This valley once had a vibrant community, where the land was well managed and provided an abundance of produce and materials. The Vale das Lobas initiatives are transforming this beautiful valley into a haven for discovery and nature-based activities, and this regeneration is encouraging people to return to the area.

The funds raised through this campaign will support the completion of the construction projects, to establish all-year-round sustainable tourism, based on a membership model, that will support repeat visits. The investments include:

• Completion of the indoor nature spa pool, using biological filtration,
• Creation of medicinal gardens, including a Goddess Lake, for relaxation and contemplation,
• Pub garden with ample outdoor spaces for enjoying food and drinks,
• Underfloor heating in the bathhouse of the Camping Park,
• Hobbit Houses – luxury glamping units,
• Festival & event venue - for hosting celebrations, including Vindima, Magusto, and Olive Harvest,
• Artisan Market Place – a reason to pop in at the weekend, and have lunch in the restaurant.

Construction of tourism facilities began in 2019. The iconic Lagar da Ribeira is home to the farm-to-table Restaurant and Pub, with its riverside gardens and terraces. The Camping Park is situated in an ancient olive grove next door. These two facilities will be open to receive guests in September 2022. The Grand Opening of the Nature Spa will be a little later, in December 2022, and members and visitors will be welcomed for personalized health retreats, courses, and conferences.

All facilities are being constructed with the highest standards of natural building, using local materials, including earth, granite, lime, cork, and wood. Vale das Lobas extensively uses renewable energy resources and recycling water and waste. This includes geothermal heating, photovoltaic panels, and a highly innovative micro vortex turbine system to generate electricity.

The water in the Nature Spa is supplied by ancient water mines:

Organic Farm-to-Table Restaurant in the old Lagar da Ribeira:

The promotor has something to offer to investors:

• For investments starting at 400€ - a 50€ voucher to spend at Vale das Lobas (valid until the end of 2023, not cumulative).
• For investments starting at 1.000€ - an 80€ voucher to spend at Vale das Lobas (valid until the end of 2023, not cumulative).
• For investments starting at 2.000€ - a 150€ voucher to spend at Vale das Lobas (valid until the end of 2023, not cumulative).

The Impact

Direct impact 

• Sustainable construction: with the financing, the promoter will be able to complete the construction of the structures following the highest standards of natural building using local materials, including earth, granite, lime, cork, and wood. The promoter estimates that 70% of the construction works are done with these materials, and concrete is only used in areas to provide stability, such as pillars and foundations. 
• Sustainable water management: the funds raised will also be used to build a natural spa pool, using biological filtration, which consists of natural elements to keep the water clean and safe for swimming, avoiding chemicals. Also, all the grey water from the showers and sinks in the camping park, restaurant, and nature spa hotel will be reutilized for irrigation using a biological filter system. 
• Improvements in energy efficiency: the promoter aims to strongly increase the efficiency of energy use through underfloor heating in the restaurant, nature spa hotel, and shower area of the camping park, combined with cork insulation under the roof and between the walls. Underfloor heating systems are one of the most efficient methods for achieving temperature comfort in a building, and cork insulation works to reduce warmth loss. 

Indirect impact 

• Promotion of organic production and nature regeneration practices: a vegetable garden, chestnut forest, and forest gardens will provide 29.5 hectares of organic farming. There are currently 607 hectares of no-hunting zones in the Biodiversity Park, with a forecasted expansion of another 596 hectares. 
• Promotion of sustainable tourism and local development: currently with a team of 8 employees, the promoter expects to have 60 employees by the end of 2022, focusing on local employment. At the same time, they will provide vocational training to prepare locals to fulfill technician, skilled craft, or trade positions. 
• Promotion of clean energy generation: the promoter will generate electricity in the Restaurant through hydropower with a micro vortex turbine system (5kW), and photovoltaic systems in the Nature Spa and the car park. 

Impact Indicators

607

Hectares for biodiversity

Contribution to the Sustainable
Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

Financial viability

Download Key Investment Information Sheet

Guarantees

Partial shareholder's pledge

The Promoter

Business Model

Updates