BTT06Our Lady of Health Route

The route of the sanctuaries

This route is defined by high points with a view. It is not a village loop with a church along the way — it is a route of viewpoints: the Eira de Moás, the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Saúde, built on a rocky outcrop above the vale do Tuela, and the Santuário de Santa Luzia, above Vinhais, over 46.7 kilometres and approximately 1,550 metres of accumulated climbing. It is a red-graded route, inside and outside the Parque Natural, where devotion and landscape go hand in hand.

Legend has it that Nossa Senhora da Saúde is one of seven Marian sisters who can see and communicate with one another, from Nossa Senhora da Luz in Constantim to the Virgem do Castelo in Salamanca. Seen from up there, the legend makes sense.

Start and finish in Vinhais

The route is circular and begins and ends at the Porta de Vinhais, at the Interface de Transportes. The Café Ponto Azul, at kilometre 1.3, is the last point of support before Moás.

Moás and the Baloiço da Eira

Moás, at kilometre 5.8, is a very old village with a typical character, featuring a fountain and the Igreja de Moás. Cup marks carved into the stones are still visible on the Eira, and the swing offers one of the most remarkable views in Vinhais, reaching as far as the serras da Nogueira, de Bornes and de Santa Comba.

The descent to the Tuela

Between Armoniz, at kilometre 10.1, and kilometre 12.5, the path descends to the lowest point of the day, at 370 metres, on the banks of the Tuela. This is followed by the longest climb of the route, approximately 350 metres up to kilometre 18.

The Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Saúde

At kilometre 17.9, atop a rocky outcrop near Vale de Janeiro, the sanctuary opens up a view over the valley, from Nuzedo de Baixo to the Minas de Ervedosa. Vale de Janeiro, at kilometre 18.9, has the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção presiding over the village, and the Capela da Macaira is at kilometre 20.7.

Curopos, Espinhoso and Aboá

Curopos, at kilometre 23.4, has two fountains and a café; Espinhoso, at kilometre 26.1, a café and a church; Aboá, at kilometre 31.6, a fountain. This is the most rolling section of the day, between 700 and 800 metres, through chestnut groves and fields.

Sobreiró de Cima and Santa Luzia

Sobreiró de Cima, at kilometre 36.8, with a café and a chapel, marks the entry into the Parque Natural de Montesinho. At kilometre 38.5 the route reaches the highest point of the day, at 928 metres, at the Santuário de Santa Luzia — less imposing than that of Nossa Senhora da Saúde, but with a privileged view over Vinhais.

Lagarelhos and Rio de Fornos

Lagarelhos, at kilometre 41.6, and Rio de Fornos, at kilometre 43.3, with a drinking fountain, complete the loop before Vinhais, where cafés and restaurants are found at kilometre 45. Those wishing to take another red-graded route from the town have the Rota do Cerro de Penhas Juntas.