# Barragem de Prada Route

> This is the route to start with. It is not a lesser version of the others — it is the gateway: 8.2 kilometres around the Parque Biológico de Vinhais, with around 150 metres of accumulated ascent, wide tracks and almost constant shade. Compatible with Gravel.

URL: https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/en/percurso/rota-da-barragem-de-prada

- **Activity:** Mountain biking
- **Distance:** 8.2 km
- **Elevation gain:** 161 m
- **Elevation loss:** 163 m
- **Altitude:** 915–1017 m
- **Estimated time:** 1h
- **Technical difficulty:** Very easy (green)
- **Route type:** Loop
- **Best season:** Spring, Summer, Autumn
- **Code:** VNH_BTT01VRD
- **Centre:** [Vinhais](https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/en/)
- **GPX:** https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/percurso/rota-da-barragem-de-prada/export-gpx

**The gateway**

This is the route to start with. It is not a lesser version of the others — it is the gateway: 8.2 kilometres around the Parque Biológico de Vinhais, with around 150 metres of accumulated ascent, wide tracks and almost constant shade. It is a green route, to be ridden at a leisurely pace with the family, and yet it combines a pond full of birds, a dam, a mill and the oak and chestnut woodlands of the Parque Natural de Montesinho.

Above the canopy, birds of prey from Montesinho — from eagles to red kites — are a frequent sight. It is worth looking up.

**Start and finish at the Parque Biológico**

The route is circular and begins and ends at the entrance gate of the Parque Biológico de Vinhais, at around 940 metres above sea level. The main climb comes in the first few kilometres — gentle — up to the highest point on the route, just above 1,000 metres, at kilometre 1.5.

**A Charca do Vidoeiro**

In the opening kilometres, a short detour leads to the Charca do Vidoeiro, a pond with a birdwatching hide where patience is rewarded. It is a good place to stop with children: those who speak quietly see more.

**A Barragem de Prada**

At kilometre 3.8, the Barragem de Prada dominates the ride with its expanse of water, which supplies irrigation to the agricultural holdings in the municipality. It is a place to linger and appreciate how water shapes life in this land, with waterfowl, insects and amphibians making it a hub of biodiversity.

**O Moinho da Ribeira do Vidoeiro**

In the second half, beside an old irrigation channel, stands the Moinho da Ribeira do Vidoeiro. Disused for decades but well preserved, it allows one to imagine the mechanisms that once ground grain — a quiet testament to the agricultural daily life of Vinhais. The final kilometres, between 905 and 935 metres, are almost flat all the way back to the Parque Biológico, where there are toilets, accommodation and the wildlife of the Parque Natural to observe at close quarters.

## Quick answers

### How long is the Barragem de Prada Route route and how much climbing does it have?

8.2 km, with 161 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.

### How long does the Barragem de Prada Route route take?

About 1h (estimated time).

### Is the Barragem de Prada Route route difficult?

The technical difficulty is very easy (green). Physical effort: 1 out of 5.

### When is the best time to ride or walk the Barragem de Prada Route route?

Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.

### Where does the Barragem de Prada Route route start?

The route belongs to the Vinhais centre.

### Is the Barragem de Prada Route route waymarked?

Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.

### Where can I download the GPX for the Barragem de Prada Route route?

The GPX track is available at https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/percurso/rota-da-barragem-de-prada/export-gpx.