This pedestrian trail stands out by its landscape and the opportunity to visit some of the “Gavieira”’s Branda, including the “Bosgalinhas” and “S. Bento do Cando” Brandas, a village known for the pilgrimage devoted to São Bento. Descending toward the “Rio Grande”, the river that will accompany the landscape moulding it up to the “Igreja”’s place.
Note about the “Brandas” - These can be cultures or cattle “Brandas” located on the highlands or high located “chãs”. They are temporary housing units whose land is used for agriculture or cattle feeding during the spring / summer when the mountainous areas have more favourable conditions to develop these human activities. Opposed to the “Brandas” summer period, arise the “Inverneiras” - housing units where populations spend the autumn and winter (hence the name). Nowadays, during this transhumance imposed by the harsh environmental conditions in the villages which still retains this migration habits, the population carry only with cattle and some possessions.
Localization: “Gavieira”’s village, “Arcos de Valdevez”’ county
Starting point and Arrival: Lugar de Souto (Igreja), “Gavieira”’ village
Length: 6 km
Duration: approximately 3h30
Difficulty: easy / moderate
Points of interest: Souto (Igreja) – Bosgalinhas – S. Bento do Cando – “Ninhada” and return to the starting point.
Location: Arcos de Valdevez
Note about the “Brandas” - These can be cultures or cattle “Brandas” located on the highlands or high located “chãs”. They are temporary housing units whose land is used for agriculture or cattle feeding during the spring / summer when the mountainous areas have more favourable conditions to develop these human activities. Opposed to the “Brandas” summer period, arise the “Inverneiras” - housing units where populations spend the autumn and winter (hence the name). Nowadays, during this transhumance imposed by the harsh environmental conditions in the villages which still retains this migration habits, the population carry only with cattle and some possessions.
Localization: “Gavieira”’s village, “Arcos de Valdevez”’ county
Starting point and Arrival: Lugar de Souto (Igreja), “Gavieira”’ village
Length: 6 km
Duration: approximately 3h30
Difficulty: easy / moderate
Points of interest: Souto (Igreja) – Bosgalinhas – S. Bento do Cando – “Ninhada” and return to the starting point.
Location: Arcos de Valdevez
