In Sever do Vouga we came across the PR3: Rota das Laranjeiras, a 9.40km circular trail. When we did the trail, we liked it a lot because it had a bit of everything: we passed through areas with houses, forest areas and agricultural fields. Moreover, it's a medium-difficulty trail (with only a few steep climbs, but it's easy enough to do) and it's well marked. You can consult the trail map here., along with a description of what to expect.
the Orange Tree Route is a 9.40km circular route, starting near the Parish Church of S. Martinho
The trail starts near the Church of S. Martinho in Pessegueiro do Vouga. Between the church, the cemetery and the band, you'll find plenty of parking where you can leave your car and start this trail. From here you go to the top of the street and you'll find the first sign indicating that the first point to pass, the Calvary, is 800m away.
To get there, follow the signs as they appear. This area up to the calvary is always on a road, usually without sidewalks, so you should be especially careful.
The first ascent is on the right, along a cobbled road (Escola da Lomba street), which leads directly to the calvary. From here you follow the main road (very carefully), then turn right and follow a path parallel to the main road until you reach Bandeira Street.
This street was the most physically challenging part for us, as it has a steep and long climb. It is also during this street that we see some of the trees that give the trail its name: orange trees.
The ascent (on asphalt) ends at the Chapel of Santa Quitéria. After visiting the chapel, the path turns left along a tree-lined path that continues for quite a while, without much climbing.
This dirt track ends at the famous Ecopista do Vouga, a former railway line that has now been converted into a cycle path. From here we follow the ecotrail, passing the famous Santiago Well Railway Bridge (with a beautiful view over the region) until we reach the area of the old Paradela station, from where we leave the ecotrail and follow the road again, passing the access to the Quinta do Barco River Beach and crossing the river again straight after.
From here we passed several houses, many of them full of orange trees, and soon arrived back at the starting point, the São Martinho Church.
In the end, we finished this trail with an incredible feeling. Despite the initial 4km of ascent, the route goes well and has incredible and varied views. At the same time, the signs and markings are also very visible, and we only had doubts in the Calvary area, where the vegetation had grown too much and covered up the markings.
That said, the Orange Tree Route in Sever do Vouga is a good trail for those looking for a circular route of moderate difficulty (with some physical effort) that involves walking in nature with incredible views!
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