VNH Road05 Preto
Montesinho, the Lomba area and the south of the municipality in a single tour
This route connects the two halves of the municipality without passing through the same place twice. It is not a shortened version of the Volta a Vinhais, but a different route altogether: 150.7 kilometres climbing through Soeira and Moimenta into the high mountains, descending through the Zona da Lomba to Edral and returning via the south, via the Ervedosa Mines, Agrochão and the Cerro de Penhas Juntas, with a total ascent of around 3,900 metres.
- Activity
- Estrada
- Distance
- 150,7 km
- Elevation gain
- 4295 m
- Elevation loss
- 4274 m
- Altitude
- 344–1058 m
- Technical difficulty
- Very hard (black)
- Route type
- Loop
- Best season
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Waymarked
- Yes
- Code
- CRD05
Centre: Vinhais
The two halves of the municipality
This route connects the two halves of the municipality without passing through the same place twice. It is not a shorter version of the Volta a Vinhais, but a different route altogether: 150.7 kilometres climbing through Soeira and Moimenta into the high mountains, descending through the Zona da Lomba to Edral and returning via the south, via the Ervedosa Mines, Agrochão and the Cerro de Penhas Juntas, with a total ascent of around 3,900 metres. It is a black-rated, full-day route that requires preparation and self-sufficiency.
Start and finish in Vinhais
The route is circular and begins and ends at Porta de Vinhais, at the Transport Hub, heading north along the EN103: Vila Verde, at kilometre 6.4, and the Ponte de Soeira riverside beach, at kilometre 10.0, which has a café and restaurant.
Montesinho
Soeira, at kilometre 14.9, with a church, fountain and tavern, and Fresulfe, at kilometre 20.1, mark the start of the day’s longest climb, around 450 metres to the highest point, at 1,058 metres, at kilometre 27.9. Moimenta, at kilometre 36.4, with toilets and the Smuggling Museum, and Carvalhas, at kilometre 39.5, with a café, are situated on the border road.
High mountains and the Lomba area
Cerdedo, at kilometre 45.8, and Vilarinho das Touças, at kilometre 47.3, with a church and a fountain, precede Pinheiro Velho, at kilometre 61.6, with a fountain, and Pinheiro Novo, at kilometre 65.6, with a fountain and a community mill. Passos de Lomba, at kilometre 78.1, with a café, and Edral, at kilometre 86.1, with a café and pilgrims’ hostel, are the villages on the plateau between the rivers Mente and Rabaçal.
The descent to Tuela
Vale de Armeiro, at kilometre 98.2, lies next to the first low point, at 388 metres, at kilometre 97. The Soutilha riverside beach and the Café Beira Rio, at kilometre 109.4, in the Ervedosa Mines area, mark the lowest point of the day, at 344 metres. Between kilometres 109 and 113, the route climbs around 340 metres to Ervedosa, at kilometre 113.7, with its church, pillory and café.
Agrochão and the Cerro de Penhas Juntas
Agrochão, at kilometre 118.8, with petrol pumps, marks the start of the olive groves. Penhas Juntas, at kilometre 125.5, with a fountain and a café, is the last stop before the final climb to the summit of Edrosa and Zoio, at 988 metres, at kilometre 139, with the Cerro de Penhas Juntas always in view. Ousilhão, at kilometre 142.3, with a picnic area, Nunes and the D’Arranca Bridge, at kilometre 147, at 465 metres, mark the start of the final three kilometres’ climb up to Vinhais. For those wishing to complete a full loop of the municipality, there is the Volta a Vinhais, also a black route.
Quick answers
How long is the VNH Road05 Preto route and how much climbing does it have?
150.7 km, with 4295 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.
Is the VNH Road05 Preto route difficult?
The technical difficulty is very hard (black). Physical effort: 5 out of 5.
When is the best time to ride or walk the VNH Road05 Preto route?
Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.
Where does the VNH Road05 Preto route start?
You can start at: Vinhais.
Is the VNH Road05 Preto route waymarked?
Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.
Where can I download the GPX for the VNH Road05 Preto route?
The GPX track is available at https://naturasports.pt/percurso/rota-da-lomba-e-do-sul/export-gpx.