CRD07Gamoneda Mountain Range Route

Two incursions into Galicia

This route makes a single landscape of both sides of the border. It is not a trip to Spain but a 134.1-kilometre loop that crosses into Galicia twice — through Hermisende and San Ciprián and then through Manzalvos — with the Serra da Gamoneda, territory of the Iberian wolf, always prominent, and around 2,600 metres of accumulated climbing. It is a black-rated route, a full-day undertaking, in a cycle-touring register.

Start and finish in Vinhais

The route is circular and begins and ends at the Porta de Vinhais, at the Interface de Transportes. Vila Verde, at kilometre 6.0, and the Praia Fluvial da Ponte de Soeira, at kilometre 9.7, with a café and restaurant, open the connection to Bragança via the EN103, along the boundary of the Parque Natural, reaching the city at around kilometre 34.

Heading towards the Gamoneda

From Bragança the route continues through Carragosa and Parâmio, and near Fontes de Transbaceiro the turning for Spain is taken. Still on national soil, the landscape opens up with the Serra da Gamoneda in full prominence.

Galicia

In Spain the tarmac, language and signage change, but the biodiversity and way of life remain. The route passes through Hermisende, a well-preserved and lively village; on the way out, a narrow old bridge and the crossing of the Rio Tuela, with a riverside beach popular in summer. A long climb passes San Ciprián before the return to Portugal through the north of Moimenta.

Moimenta and the second incursion

Moimenta, at kilometre 73.7, with toilets, a fountain and the Museu do Contrabando, is worth a visit. Carvalhas, at kilometre 76.4, has a café, and at kilometre 77.5 the border at Manzalvos is crossed, already in Galician territory, to connect to Pinheiro Velho. The highest point of the day, at 1,037 metres, is reached at kilometre 88.8.

Pinheiro Velho, Pinheiro Novo and the Lomba

Pinheiro Velho, at kilometre 93.1, with a fountain, and Pinheiro Novo, at kilometre 97.1, with a fountain and a communal mill, open the Zona da Lomba: Vilarinho de Lomba, Quirás, Passos de Lomba, at kilometre 109.6, with a café, and Gestosa. The Parque de Merendas do Rabaçal, at kilometre 118.0, is the lowest point of the day, at 491 metres.

The return

Cruz de Revelhe, at kilometre 122.7, and Sobreiró de Cima, at kilometre 127.2, with a café and chapel, close the loop via the EN103 back to the town, with around 270 metres of climbing between the Rabaçal and Sobreiró. Those seeking another major black-rated loop through Galicia will find the Rota de A Gudiña, starting from the same point.