PR19Soutos de Celas

The ancient groves

This route walks beneath centuries-old chestnut trees. It is not a trail that merely passes through a grove — it is an almost unbroken crossing of soutos between Celas, Negreda and Mós de Celas, on the western slopes of Serra da Nogueira, where the stature of the trees speaks to their age. Walking under these canopies is the defining character of the route, and in autumn the ground is carpeted with husks.

The distance is nearly fourteen kilometres, but the elevation gain is modest — around 150 metres accumulated — always between 800 and 900 metres above sea level. It is a long, easy walk, best taken without haste.

Celas

The route is circular and begins and ends at the square beside the Igreja Matriz de Celas, the highest point of the loop, with a restaurant just a few steps away. The groves are entered almost immediately upon leaving the village.

The Torre de Celas, the chapel and the kiln

The path passes at the foot of Torre de Celas, a fortified settlement on a quartzite hillock that lies off the route and may be visited independently. Along the way stand the Capela de S. Pedro and, some 200 metres further, the Forno de Telha — disused but preserved — a testament to the artisanal production of roof tiles and bricks.

Negreda

Negreda is the village at the northern vertex of the route. Between Celas and Negreda, the groves open up views over Serra da Nogueira, Eiras Maiores, Melhe and Mós de Celas, and from Negreda the valley of the Cascata do Cachão da Malhadinha can be seen in the distance.

Mós de Celas

Between Negreda and Celas, the crossing continues through almost unbroken groves as far as Mós de Celas, around four kilometres from the starting point. Those wishing to explore the waterfall glimpsed from Negreda will find the PR18 · Cascata Cachão da Malhadinha — a considerably more demanding route — starting from the same village; those who prefer another gentle walk will find the PR21 · Rota do Azeite, in Agrochão.