# Tuela Slopes *West

> This is the Encostas do Tuela variant that keeps the river and the villages. It does not pass by the swing, but covers everything else: the six kilometres of riverbank along the Tuela between Cidões and Brito de Baixo, the climb to Vilar de Peregrinos, and the return along the hillside.

URL: https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/en/percurso/encostas-do-tuela-oeste

- **Activity:** Walking trail
- **Distance:** 14.9 km
- **Elevation gain:** 565 m
- **Elevation loss:** 573 m
- **Altitude:** 383–819 m
- **Route type:** Loop
- **Best season:** Spring, Summer, Autumn
- **Code:** VNH_PPR16
- **Centre:** [Vinhais](https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/en/)
- **GPX:** https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/percurso/encostas-do-tuela-oeste/export-gpx

**The river and the villages, without the swing**

This is the Encostas do Tuela variant that keeps the river and the villages. It does not pass by the swing, but covers everything else: the six kilometres of riverbank along the Tuela between Cidões and Brito de Baixo, the climb to Vilar de Peregrinos, and the return along the hillside. The route is approximately fifteen kilometres long, between an altitude of 383 metres at the river and nearly 800 metres on the Vilar plateau.

**Cidões**

The route is circular and begins and ends in Cidões, a small stone-built village above the Tuela valley, known for the Festa da Cabra e do Canhoto, held on 31 October.

**The banks of the Tuela**

Between Cidões and Brito de Baixo, the path follows the riverbanks, calm and gently graded. This is the coolest and lowest section of the circuit.

**Brito de Baixo and Vilar de Peregrinos**

Brito de Baixo sits beside the river, with a church and a fountain, and the Capela de Nossa Senhora de Fátima above the village. Between Brito and Vilar de Peregrinos the route follows a road, with the landscape opening out over the valley. Vilar de Peregrinos, with its Igreja de São Salvador, is the highest village on the route; from there to Cidões the path descends the hillside back down to the river. Those wishing to add the viewpoint from the Baloiço Rural Castanea will find it on the PR16 · Encostas do Tuela, the full circuit, or on the shorter eastern variant.

## Quick answers

### How long is the Tuela Slopes *West route and how much climbing does it have?

14.9 km, with 565 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.

### When is the best time to ride or walk the Tuela Slopes *West route?

Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.

### Where does the Tuela Slopes *West route start?

The route belongs to the Vinhais centre.

### Is the Tuela Slopes *West route waymarked?

Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.

### Where can I download the GPX for the Tuela Slopes *West route?

The GPX track is available at https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/percurso/encostas-do-tuela-oeste/export-gpx.