Granite trails, river landscapes and cultural sites from different eras shape Póvoa De Lanhoso. For planning your trip, the hiking trails offer a way to experience the landscape; castles, archaeological sites and goldsmithing tell further stories of the area. This lets you decide whether to focus on outdoor activities, historical discoveries or both.

Hiking trails between the mountains and the river

The GR 117 – Via Romana XVII crosses the Serra do Carvalho. Along the route, views open up over the valley of the Rio Cávado and the Serra do Gerês. The PR2 – Monte do Merouço combines granite landscapes and scenic views: over a distance of approximately 150 metres, it passes between large granite monoliths and numerous rock fissures. The trail then reaches the Miradouro da Pedra Bolideira. From there, the view extends over the Serras do Carvalho, São Mamede and Cabreira, as well as the striking granite massif of the Gerês.

The PR1 – Maria da Fonte starts at Parque do Pontido and leads to the chapel of S. Brás. It is one of the oldest chapels in the Concelho Póvoa de Lanhoso and stands out for its unusual design. The PR3 – Ribeiro Queimado offers a different landscape: it follows a riverside setting along the Rio Ave to Parque de Lazer do Pontão, where the clear water invites visitors to take a refreshing swim. The three routes each offer something different—from scenic views and granite formations to chapels and riverside landscapes.

Castles, early settlements and sacred sites

Castelo de Lanhoso is designated a National Monument and offers expansive views over the valleys of the Rio Ave and the Rio Cávado. Castro de Lanhoso tells the story of an earlier settlement: on the eastern side of Monte de Lanhoso, a fortified hilltop settlement of an Iron Age community developed in the 1st millennium BC. Mamoa do Madorro also points to the area’s early history. It dates from approximately the 4th millennium BC and is currently the largest known mamoa in the Concelho Póvoa de Lanhoso.

Another archaeological site is Santuário Rupestre de Garfe, a rock sanctuary on a granite outcrop. At its summit are three basins carved into the rock; a path worn smooth by use makes it easier to reach them. The Benedictine monastery of Divino Salvador de Fontarcada was founded in the late 11th or early 12th century. The present-day church is thought to date from the mid-13th century. The nearly isolated Igreja de Santa Maria de Verim illustrates the medieval organisation of parishes, the region’s settlement patterns and the relationship between its inhabitants and their symbolic and sacred centre.

Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Porto de Ave comprises a church with a museum of popular sacred art, a Way of the Cross with chapels depicting episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary, and several buildings originally constructed for pilgrims. A royal charter elevated it to a Royal Sanctuary on 14 April 1874. The Maria da Fonte Revolution began in Fontarcada in the spring of 1846 and was carried by hundreds of women from the Concelho.

Filigree, architecture and local culture

The tradition of filigree is at the heart of two different experiences. At the Sala de Interpretação da Filigrana, an exhibition trail presents the tools and steps involved in traditional production. Goldsmithing is particularly associated with artisans in Travassos and Sobradelo da Goma. The Museu do Ouro de Travassos adds to this perspective with workshop equipment, goldsmithing tools, silver objects and gold pieces. Archaeological finds in the collection include a Copper Age diadem and a Roman earring.

In Travassos, the day of Santo Elói, patron saint of goldsmiths, is celebrated on the first Sunday in December; the celebration continues in a reduced form. Check the current programme before your trip. The Theatro-Club focuses primarily on theatre performances and hosted the last ten editions of the National Amateur Theatre Festival, now called Concurso Nacional de Teatro.

Villa Beatriz also offers an architectural contrast to the older religious and defensive buildings: the palace building dates from the 19th century, and its original interior furnishings from that period have been preserved. It is situated on the Rio Ave in the wine-growing landscape of Entre Douro e Minho. Póvoa de Lanhoso is also part of the demarcated wine region of Vinhos Verdes.

Riverside landscapes and practical information

Parque de Lazer do Pontão makes use of the natural landscape of the Freguesia Sobradelo da Goma. Albufeira das Andorinhas is equipped for a wide range of water sports. Praia fluvial de Verim is also located on the banks of the Rio Cávado. It has a picnic area and an amphibious chair for people with reduced mobility.

Centro de Interpretação do Carvalho de Calvos offers environmental education activities for children, adults and older people. Carvalho de Calvos is a pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and has been classified as a tree of public interest since 22 August 1997. The centre’s Bar Biológico offers tastings of organic products; check availability before your trip.

When travelling from Porto, the road route follows the A3 to the Celeirós/Braga Sul exit. From there, continue on the EN103 towards Póvoa de Lanhoso, then take the EN205 to the town. When planning your visit, the different highlights can help guide you: scenic views and granite along the hiking trails, riverside landscapes along the Rio Ave, and cultural sites ranging from the Iron Age to the goldsmithing tradition.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Póvoa de Lanhoso, Brunhais, Rendufinho, Vieira Do Minho, Esposende, Geraz Do Minho, Braga, Antas.

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