The Roman Geira runs through Campo do Gerês; narrow streets, Canastros and wooden balconies also illustrate the village’s rural mountain architecture. For planning a trip, historic road traces, a marked hiking trail and Mata de Albergaria offer different ways to explore history and landscape.
The Roman Geira in the village area
The Via XVIII, also known as the Via Nova or Via XVIII of the Itinerarium Antonini, is a Roman road classified as a National Monument. It connected Bracara Augusta with Asturica Augusta and passes through Campo do Gerês. Its route here includes Roman milestones XXVII, XXVIII and XXIX. The 27th milestone extends over 1,650 metres. The location of its classified route is also useful for orientation: it runs along the Campo do Gerês valley towards Portela de Vilarinho and lies there on the EN 307 national road.
The measurements of the Geira and the PR5 describe different things: 1,650 metres refers to the 27th milestone; the PR5 – Trilho da Águia do Sarilhão is a separate, 9-kilometre hiking trail with a stated duration of three hours. The Museu da Geira focuses on Roman road-building techniques and the means of transport used at the time. By the museum, the Romanesque Ponte de Eixões allows you to cross the stream on foot. This makes it possible to consider construction methods, transport and a surviving structure as distinct aspects of the Roman road.
Hiking and settlement architecture
The PR5 passes through rural settlements with narrow streets, Espigueiros, houses with ridge crosses and wooden balconies. The stated distance of 9 kilometres and duration of three hours provide a concrete timeframe and distance for the hike. The route combines views of the settlement architecture with a longer hike; it should not be confused with the measured 27th milestone of the Geira.
A partial closure of the PR5 was announced from 27 March 2026 for an estimated period of 240 days due to improvement works on the Guarda / Albergaria forest road. Check the conditions for your hiking day before setting out.
Mata de Albergaria and surroundings
Mata de Albergaria is a representative Galaico-Portuguese oak forest in Peneda-Gerês National Park. A section of the Roman Geira runs through the forest; its bridge ruins and a significant group of milestones can be found there. The Roman road traces are therefore not only a feature of the village area, but also part of the forest landscape described here.
From Campo do Gerês, you can walk to the entrance to Mata de Albergaria and follow the river to Portela do Homem. Near the entrance is Trincheira do Campo do Gerês, which borders the 29th milestone of the Geira. Porta do Campo do Gerês is considered the gateway to Peneda-Gerês National Park closest to Braga. It offers environmental education activities for schools, institutions and other groups; guided support is provided for special activities.
Mountain architecture, church and festivals
The village’s architectural details are worth noticing even away from the hiking trails. The Igreja matriz de Campo do Gerês has a small bell tower; its gables feature floral Stations of the Cross motifs. The Cruzeiro de São João do Campo has been classified as a National Monument since 23 June 1910. These two structures make different statements: one is ecclesiastical architecture with its gable motifs, while the other is a monument with a precisely dated classification.
Campo do Gerês’s festivals include São João, the festival of Senhor de Có-de-Seda in June or July, and the festival of Senhora da Conceição on 8 December. These different dates may be a factor when planning your trip. When choosing a stay, you might therefore start by asking whether the Geira and its monuments, the PR5 or the settlement architecture should be the focus. The information on distance, duration and the announced partial closure can help you plan your hiking day separately.
Discover more destinations: Gonça, Celorico De Basto, Gilmonde, Anjos, Areias, Vieira Do Minho, Sobradelo Da Goma, Parada Do Bouro.
For the broader travel overview: Braga.
