BTT05Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route

The ridge that divides two lands

This route heads to the south of the municipality, outside the Parque Natural, to a rural Vinhais of strong character. It is not a mountain loop — it is a loop around the Tuela and the Cerro de Penhas Juntas, the quartzite ridge that separates the Terra Fria from the Terra Quente: 46.5 kilometres and approximately 1,300 metres of accumulated climbing. It is a red-graded route, rolling in character, with one long climb in the middle and another at the end.

The ridge is not climbed but skirted. It nonetheless holds a past worth knowing: the Buraco do Serro, or das Tintas, a relic of mining believed to date from Roman times, and the memory of a Moorish castle — a fortified settlement on the crest whose walls are still perceptible.

Start and finish in Vinhais

The route is circular and begins and ends at the Porta de Vinhais, at the Interface de Transportes, at approximately 670 metres above sea level. The first kilometres descend the valley to Ermida, at kilometre 5.5, and to the Rio Tuela.

The Tuela and Brito

Between kilometres 5 and 13 the route follows the Tuela, a deeply incised river, along the lowest section of the day at around 380 metres. Brito, at kilometre 13.8, has a church and two fountains. The route then passes through Cidões, a village known for the Festa da Cabra e do Canhoto, held on 31 October, which opens the municipality's winter festivities: a giant bonfire in which the canhoto burns, and goat slow-cooked in pots for the communal meal.

Penhas Juntas

Penhas Juntas is reached at kilometre 24.6, with two cafés for refuelling, well-preserved houses, and the information panel for the walking route PR20 · Rota dos Mouros, which ascends the ridge on foot. Between kilometre 16 and kilometre 27 the road climbs almost continuously — around 400 metres — through chestnut groves, with the ridge always in view.

Vilar de Peregrinos

Vilar de Peregrinos, at kilometre 30.9, lies close to the highest point of the day at 828 metres, amid extensive chestnut groves important to the agricultural economy, and with a privileged view over Vinhais. A descent of approximately 300 metres follows, reaching kilometre 35.

Nunes and the Ponte D'Arranca

Skirting hills carved by tributaries of the Tuela, the route arrives at Nunes, at kilometre 40, with a fountain, before descending to the Ponte D'Arranca, at kilometre 43, the lowest point of the final section. From there to Vinhais is approximately three kilometres of climbing — close to 200 metres — with restaurants at the finish. Those wishing to explore another red loop in the south of the municipality will find the Rota da Senhora da Saúde departing from the same point.