BTT04Ousilhão and Vila Boa Masks Route

Water, bridges and masks

This route connects water and the oldest traditions of Trás-os-Montes. It is more than scenery: over 47 kilometres it descends from the Barragem de Prada to the rio Tuela, crosses two ancient bridges and the Caminho de Santiago, and reaches Ousilhão, the village where the masks of the Festa de Saint Stephen are still made and sold. Total ascent is around 1,500 metres. It is a red-graded route, with a long descent and a demanding final climb.

The Festa de Saint Stephen, on 25 and 26 December, fills Ousilhão with masked figures wearing costumes of red, yellow and green fringing, wooden, cork or metal masks, and cowbells at the waist. The masks are made by local craftspeople and sold in the village throughout the year.

Start and finish at the Parque Biológico

The route is circular and begins and ends at the entrance to the Parque Biológico de Vinhais. The Barragem de Prada, at kilometre 3.8, is the first landmark, still above 1,000 metres in altitude.

The descent to the Tuela

Between kilometres 5 and 13 the route drops more than 400 metres through oak and chestnut woodland to the rio Tuela. The Ponte de Santa Marinha is reached at kilometre 11.9, and the Praia Fluvial da Ponte de Soeira at kilometre 12.9, where there is a café and restaurant and the trail crosses the Caminho de Santiago.

The Ponte Velha de Soeira and Soeira

At kilometre 13.7, the moss-covered stone Ponte Velha de Soeira crosses to the opposite bank along a stretch of river carved through rock. Soeira, at kilometre 15.1, has a fountain, a café and the Igreja de São Martinho. From here the route climbs and descends along old tracks with short, steep ramps.

Vila Boa de Ousilhão

Vila Boa, at kilometre 28.4, is the stop for refreshment: a fountain, a café on the square, the Igreja de Vila Boa and traditional smoked meats. At kilometre 29.3 the route passes through São Roque, with its chapel.

Ousilhão and the Monte de Santa Comba

Ousilhão is reached at kilometre 31.9, with the Igreja de Ousilhão and, shortly after, a picnic area. The route skirts the Monte de Santa Comba, where the remains of a pre-Roman hillfort survive — barely visible, yet known to be there — and where the landscape opens into a panoramic view. The Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, at kilometre 35.9, marks the devotion of the region, and Nunes, at kilometre 36.8, with a fountain, is the last village.

The Ponte D'Arranca and the final climb

Between Nunes and kilometre 39.2 the track descends to the lowest point of the day, at 427 metres, at the Ponte D'Arranca, a popular river beach. From there to the Parque Biológico it is nearly eight kilometres of climbing — around 500 consecutive metres — with Vinhais and its restaurants at kilometre 43 serving as the last point of support. Those who finish with an appetite for more mountain terrain will find the Rota da Fraga dos 3 Reinos, also red-graded, starting from the same point.