# Tuela Slopes *West

> This is the version of the Encostas do Tuela route that follows the river and takes in the villages. It doesn’t go past the swing, but it does everything else: the six kilometres along the banks of the Tuela between Cidões and Brito de Baixo, the climb up to Vilar de Peregrinos and the return journey down the hillside.

URL: https://naturasports.pt/en/percurso/encostas-do-tuela-oeste

- **Activity:** Percurso Pedestre
- **Distance:** 14.9 km
- **Elevation gain:** 565 m
- **Elevation loss:** 573 m
- **Altitude:** 383–819 m
- **Route type:** Loop
- **Best season:** Spring, Summer, Autumn
- **Code:** VNH_PPR16
- **Centre:** [Vinhais](https://naturasports.pt/en/centro/vinhais)
- **GPX:** https://naturasports.pt/percurso/encostas-do-tuela-oeste/export-gpx

**The river and the villages, without the swing**

This is the Encostas do Tuela route that follows the river and the villages. It doesn’t go past the swing, but it does everything else: the six kilometres along the banks of the Tuela between Cidões and Brito de Baixo, the climb up to Vilar de Peregrinos and the return along the hillside. It’s around fifteen kilometres, ranging from an altitude of 383 metres by the river to almost 800 metres on the Vilar plateau.

**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’ (Festival of the Goat and the Left-hander) on 31 October.

**The banks of the Tuela**

Between Cidões and Brito de Baixo, the path follows the banks of the river, which is tranquil and gently sloping. It is the coolest and lowest section of the circuit.

**Brito de Baixo and Vilar de Peregrinos**

Brito de Baixo lies beside the river, with a church and a fountain, and the Chapel of Our Lady of Fátima above the village. Between Brito and Vilar de Peregrinos, the route follows a road, with the landscape opening out over the valley. Vilar de Peregrinos, with the Church of São Salvador, is the highest village on the route, and from there to Cidões the path descends the hillside down to the river. Anyone wishing to include a visit to the Castanea Rural Swing can take the PR16 · Encostas do Tuela route – either the full loop or the shorter eastern variant.

## Quick answers

### How long is the Tuela Slopes *West route and how much climbing does it have?

14.9 km, with 565 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.

### When is the best time to ride or walk the Tuela Slopes *West route?

Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.

### Where does the Tuela Slopes *West route start?

The route belongs to the Vinhais centre.

### Is the Tuela Slopes *West route waymarked?

Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.

### Where can I download the GPX for the Tuela Slopes *West route?

The GPX track is available at https://naturasports.pt/percurso/encostas-do-tuela-oeste/export-gpx.