Sistelo Walkways Trail
Location: Sistelo, Arcos de Valdevez, Viana do Castelo
Coordinates: 41.973635, -8.374212
Type of Route: In a circle
Distance: Approximately 2km
Time: 1h
Difficulty: 3/10
Less than 2km long, the Sistelo Footbridge Trail is the perfect getaway for those who want to enjoy nature.
Located in Sistelo, called the Portuguese Tibet and considered one of the 7 Wonder Villages of Portugal, the trail, as its name implies, follows the (so famous) Sistelo Walkways.
However, those who think that this trail only offers walkways are mistaken: the landscape is marked by paths through the village itself, agricultural paths and, the main attraction, the Sistelo River Leisure Area, perfect for a dip in the hottest times. You can consult the route brochure, although it provides little information, here..
The beginning of this trail, called PR25, is located in the center of the village and is easily found, with several signposts.
The most difficult part of the route consists of the beginning and the end of the route: a path, all in uniform stone, going down.
Later, after finishing these initial meters, it continues on paths, passing through a chapel. It is after passing through the Chapel of Sr. dos Aflitos that we see the Rio Vez and come across the Fluvial Zone, usually full of people enjoying the cold water to cool off.
The route goes through a dike that crosses the middle of the River and, on the other side of the river, we see the Walkways for the first time. Although they originate the name of the route, the truth is that only a small part of the route goes through here.
At the end of the walkways, the path continues through dirt and agricultural fields.
The agricultural fields, and the vineyards that seem to frame the landscape, remain until the end of the route: the return to the village. This time going up the path initially descended, which is the the most tiring part of the route.
This trail is part of the Ecovia do Vez, a total of 32km, connecting Sistelo to its county seat, Arcos de Valdevez. You can consult the Ecovia brochure here..
Despite being a short route, it is also the best known and most visited route, largely due to its river zone.
Consequently, and for those visiting Sistelo, this trail is practically mandatory, even for those who do not have much training. Being a short route, and almost always flat (except the first and last meters), it ends up being a trail capable of being covered by anyone with some training.
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