# Serra da Coroa Traverse

> This is the road route to start with in Vinhais. It is not a competitive race; it is half a day of cycle touring on traffic-free roads: 50.5 kilometres and around 1,300 metres of accumulated climbing, through villages steeped in history and across the Serra da Coroa, the highest point in the municipality.

URL: https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/en/percurso/travessia-da-serra-da-coroa

- **Activity:** Road cycling
- **Distance:** 50.5 km
- **Elevation gain:** 1489 m
- **Elevation loss:** 1442 m
- **Altitude:** 628–1055 m
- **Estimated time:** 2h30
- **Technical difficulty:** Hard (red)
- **Route type:** Loop
- **Best season:** Spring, Summer, Autumn
- **Code:** VNH_CRD01VRM
- **Centre:** [Vinhais](https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/en/)
- **GPX:** https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/percurso/travessia-da-serra-da-coroa/export-gpx

**Cycle touring, not competition**

This is the road route to start with in Vinhais. It is not a competitive race; it is half a day of cycle touring on traffic-free roads: 50.5 kilometres and around 1,300 metres of accumulated climbing, through villages steeped in history and across the Serra da Coroa, the highest point in the municipality. It is a red-graded route, at a relaxed pace, with as many stops as needed to take photographs and discover new places.

**Start and finish in Vinhais**

The route is circular and begins and ends at the Porta de Vinhais, at the Interface de Transportes, with the town's cafés and restaurants in the first and last kilometres. Sobreiró de Cima, at kilometre 6.9, with a café and chapel, marks the start of the mountain road: care is advised on the bends, as the dampness lingers.

**Peleias and Tuízelo**

Peleias, at kilometre 12.3, is a pleasant village with a chapel. Tuízelo, at kilometre 16.0, has a history predating the 12th century, the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and the Igreja de Saint Andrew, as well as a café and restaurant for a stop. Between kilometres 10 and 18 the road climbs around 260 metres.

**The Serra da Coroa**

Through Salgueiros and Vilar de Ossos the route reaches Travanca, at kilometre 26.4, with a church, fountain and chapel, and the highest point of the day at 1,055 metres, at kilometre 27.9, on the Serra da Coroa, territory of the Iberian wolf. A demanding descent follows to Santa Cruz: around 330 metres in just over three kilometres.

**Santa Cruz and Paçó**

Santa Cruz, at kilometre 31.2, with a fountain and mill, is a village where rural life still holds sway. The return leg skirts the range to the south, through Paçó, at kilometre 36, and Quintela, as far as the EN103 and the Ponte de Santa Marinha, at kilometre 40, over the Tuela.

**Vila Verde and the return**

Vila Verde, at kilometre 43.1, with a picnic area, opens the final kilometres along the EN103 back to Vinhais, with a short climb of around 70 metres to close. Those who finish wanting more of Montesinho will find the Volta a Montesinho, also red-graded, starting from the same point.

## Quick answers

### How long is the Serra da Coroa Traverse route and how much climbing does it have?

50.5 km, with 1489 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.

### How long does the Serra da Coroa Traverse route take?

About 2h30 (estimated time).

### Is the Serra da Coroa Traverse route difficult?

The technical difficulty is hard (red). Physical effort: 4 out of 5.

### When is the best time to ride or walk the Serra da Coroa Traverse route?

Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.

### Where does the Serra da Coroa Traverse route start?

The route belongs to the Vinhais centre.

### Is the Serra da Coroa Traverse route waymarked?

Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.

### Where can I download the GPX for the Serra da Coroa Traverse route?

The GPX track is available at https://rotasdosdiabos.pt/percurso/travessia-da-serra-da-coroa/export-gpx.