PR15D'Arranca a Moás

From the river to the Baloiço da Eira

This route combines the river and the balcony above it, starting from the village itself. It is not a walk on the outskirts — it is a traverse that descends to the Tuela at Ponte D'Arranca, follows the river for around two and a half kilometres, and climbs to Moás and the Baloiço da Eira, one of the widest views in the municipality. Between the lowest point, at the river, and the highest, at the swing, the elevation difference exceeds 400 metres.

The route covers nearly sixteen kilometres, taking in the river, villages, chestnut groves and pine forests, and begins and ends without leaving Vinhais.

Start and finish in Vinhais

The route is circular and starts and finishes at the Parque de Jogos e Lazer do Bairro dos Cabeços, in Vinhais. Between the village and Moás, the trail crosses cultivated fields, chestnut groves and pine forests on gentle gradients; between the village and the river, it descends into the Tuela valley.

Ponte D'Arranca and the Tuela

Ponte D'Arranca and the river beach beside it mark the lowest point of the route, at around 400 metres above sea level. From here, the path follows the banks of the Tuela for approximately two and a half kilometres — among the finest stretches in the network: water, rock and rich biodiversity. The old stone bridge is still visible, though it is no longer crossed.

Ermida

Ermida lies between the river and Moás, and for around one kilometre the trail coincides with the PR14 · Rota de Ermida. The village chapel, perched almost above the river, is worth the short detour.

Moás and the Baloiço da Eira

Moás is a quiet and picturesque village, with the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso and a fountain along the way. Above the village lies the highest point of the route: the Eira de Moás, with cup marks carved into the stones, and the Baloiço da Eira, at around 820 metres above sea level. The view to the south is one of the most expansive in Vinhais and, on clear days, reaches as far as the Serra de Bornes. The swing sits at one end of the trail, above Moás, and the village is passed through twice to reach it and return.

Two routes, many options

D'Arranca a Moás and the PR14 · Rota de Ermida share the same starting point and one kilometre through Ermida, and both are waymarked in either direction. Together, they allow walks tailored to individual preference, from the shortest to the longest.