PR10Termas do Tuela

A cave, lime kilns, a spa and a river

This route brings together, in just a few kilometres, more places with history than many a full day's walking. It is not a riverside trail with a single curiosity along the way, but a tightly packed sequence: a cave inhabited in prehistoric times, lime kilns that kept generations at work, an old spa beside the water, a river beach, and two villages where livestock still rule the streets. Everything is linked by the Tuela and by woodlands of oak and chestnut trees.

It is one of the least-known corners of the Parque Natural de Montesinho, and that is half the appeal. Here, the quiet is no figure of speech.

Dine and the Lorga

The route is circular and connects two villages, Dine and Fresulfe; it can be started from either. In Dine, the landmark is the Cruzeiro at the centre, and the fonte da Lorga lies along the way. Next to the parish church stands the Centro Interpretativo da Gruta de Dine, which is worth a visit before or after the walk: it is there that one understands what is about to be seen, or what has just been seen. The cave itself, the Lorga de Dine, is roughly 200 metres away, identified and documented on site. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the region for understanding who lived here thousands of years ago.

The lime kilns

The hillside above Dine holds another memory, more recent and less spoken of: several lime kilns, well preserved and documented, scattered across the slope. They were in use until the 1960s, and there are still people in the village who remember them burning. They give the route a rare dimension — that of a place where stone served as shelter in prehistoric times and as a livelihood until the days of our grandparents.

The stream and the woodland

Between Dine and the Tuela, the path is a very narrow track running parallel to the stream, in the shade of oak and chestnut trees. It is one of the most beautiful stretches of the route and calls for careful footing, as the ground is slippery. In autumn, leaves cover everything and the path turns golden from one end to the other.

The spa and the Tuela

Beside the river, the valley opens out into a large leisure area, calm even at the height of summer. This is where the old spa that gives the route its name is located. The building is closed, but the place continues to fulfil the purpose for which it was chosen: to rest to the sound of water. The trail follows the bank, winding between trees and stone crossings.

The Praia Fluvial de Fresulfe

About 500 metres from the spa, still along the bank, lies the Praia Fluvial de Fresulfe, with a picnic area. Shade, cool water and space to spread out a towel: on hot days, it is the strongest argument for packing a swimsuit and taking one's time.

Fresulfe

Fresulfe sits roughly halfway along the route and is rural life without any staging: cows crossing the street, flocks of goats and sheep, and a fountain at the centre of the village for refilling a water bottle. Between Fresulfe and Dine, the path follows the hillside through oak and chestnut woodlands, with the village of Santa Cruz visible on the far bank of the Tuela.

When to go

The stretch beside the river runs very close to the water. In winter and after heavy rain, the Tuela rises and can flood the trail, making passage impossible. The best time runs from spring to autumn; outside that period, it is advisable to check the state of the river before setting out.