BTT11Rebordelo Route

Gateway to gateway

This route connects two gateways of the Cycling Centre. It is not a loop from Vinhais, but a crossing of the south-west of the municipality to Rebordelo and back, through preserved villages, along the reservoir of the rivers Mente and Rabaçal, and past the ruins of the Minas de Ervedosa, with around 2,300 metres of accumulated climbing. It is a black-graded, long-distance route that can begin at either gateway.

Start and finish in Vinhais

The route is circular and begins and ends at the Porta de Vinhais, at the Interface de Transportes. Moás, at kilometre 5.8, with a fountain, church, and the Baloiço da Eira, is the first landmark and the first sweeping landscape of the day.

Alvaredos and Curopos

Between Moás and Alvaredos, at kilometre 11.3, the route descends to the banks of the rio Trutas at 476 metres; Alvaredos is a traditional, well-preserved village. Curopos, at kilometre 16.3, has two fountains, a café, and a restaurant, and Valpaço, at kilometre 18.8, opens onto the plateau that runs parallel to the Rabaçal.

Palas and the reservoir

Palas, at kilometre 24.5, an almost abandoned Trás-os-Montes village, has gained a new lease of life through the restoration of houses for tourist accommodation. Vale de Armeiro lies at kilometre 27.5, and shortly afterwards the route descends to the Albufeira de Rebordelo, formed by the rivers Mente and Rabaçal, at 477 metres. Between the reservoir and Rebordelo the path climbs around 150 metres, passing the former Mina do Alto do Sarilho at kilometre 30.7 and the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França at kilometre 31.8.

Rebordelo

Rebordelo, at kilometre 33.2, is the second gateway of the Cycling Centre and the most complete stop of the day: the Igreja de São Lourenço, three fountains, a café, and a minimarket. It is the last proper opportunity to stock up before the Cerro de Penhas Juntas.

The Minas de Ervedosa

Between Rebordelo and kilometre 40, via Nuzedo de Baixo, the route descends to the lowest point of the day at 347 metres, in the Tuela valley. The Praia Fluvial de Soutilha and the Café Beira Rio lie at kilometre 39.7, and the ruins of the Minas de Ervedosa at kilometre 40.5, to be taken in as one passes.

The Cerro de Penhas Juntas

From the chapel of Saint Nicholas, at kilometre 43.4, a place of devotion, to Penhas Juntas at kilometre 51.8, with two cafés, the route climbs around 350 metres around the Cerro de Penhas Juntas. Vilar de Peregrinos, at kilometre 58, sits close to the highest point of the day at 836 metres.

Nunes and the Ponte D'Arranca

Nunes, at kilometre 67, with a fountain, and the Ponte D'Arranca, at kilometre 70, at the bottom of the valley, leave three final kilometres of climbing — close to 200 metres — up to Vinhais. Those wishing for another full day from the town have the Rota de Agrochão, also black-graded.