Eastern Tuela Slopes
From Cidões to the Castanea Country Swing, a distance of eleven kilometres
This is the short route along the Tuela slopes, which leads straight to the viewpoint. It isn’t a half-route; it’s the full circuit around the hill that separates Cidões from the Baloiço Rural Castanea, starting and finishing in the village and involving a climb of over 350 metres.
- Activity
- Percurso Pedestre
- Distance
- 11,1 km
- Elevation gain
- 485 m
- Elevation loss
- 485 m
- Altitude
- 462–835 m
- Route type
- Loop
- Best season
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Waymarked
- Yes
- Code
- PPR16
Centre: Vinhais
The shortest route to the swing
This is the short route along the Tuela slopes that leads straight to the viewpoint. It isn’t a half-route; it’s the full circuit around the hill separating Cidões from the Castanea Rural Swing, starting and finishing in the village and involving a climb of over 350 metres. It skips the riverbank and Brito de Baixo; it includes the best view of the route.
The route is eleven kilometres long, with the lowest point in Cidões, at around 460 metres, and the highest at the swing, at around 835 metres.
Cidões
The route is circular and begins and ends in Cidões, a small village of stone houses overlooking the Tuela valley, known for the ‘Festa da Cabra e do Canhoto’ (Goat and Left-Hander Festival) on 31 October.
The slopes
Between the village and the summit, the route takes two different paths up the eastern slope of the valley, through chestnut groves, pastures and pine forests, so that the ascent and descent never follow the same route.
The Castanea Rural Swing
At the highest point, at around 835 metres, the Castanea Rural Swing offers perhaps the best view of Vinhais, with the village in the foreground and the Serra da Coroa behind. For those wishing to complete the full circuit, taking in the river and the three villages, the PR16 · Encostas do Tuela trail starts from the same point.
Quick answers
How long is the Eastern Tuela Slopes route and how much climbing does it have?
11.1 km, with 485 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.
When is the best time to ride or walk the Eastern Tuela Slopes route?
Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.
Where does the Eastern Tuela Slopes route start?
The route belongs to the Vinhais centre.
Is the Eastern Tuela Slopes route waymarked?
Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.
Where can I download the GPX for the Eastern Tuela Slopes route?
The GPX track is available at https://naturasports.pt/percurso/encostas-do-tuela-este/export-gpx.