# A Mezquita Route

> A cross-border route that sets off from Vinhais towards Galicia, passing through A Mezquita along a section of the Via de Prata on the Way of St James. The Serra da Gamoneda dominates the landscape before the return to Portugal via the Moimenta border crossing, on a cycle route with a cultural and international flavour.

URL: https://naturasports.pt/en/percurso/rota-de-a-mezquita

- **Activity:** Estrada
- **Distance:** 88.9 km
- **Elevation gain:** 2353 m
- **Elevation loss:** 2352 m
- **Altitude:** 605–1332 m
- **Estimated time:** 4h30
- **Technical difficulty:** Hard (red)
- **Route type:** Loop
- **Best season:** Spring, Summer, Autumn
- **Code:** VNH_CRD08VRM
- **Centre:** [Vinhais](https://naturasports.pt/en/centro/vinhais)
- **GPX:** https://naturasports.pt/percurso/rota-de-a-mezquita/export-gpx

The A Mezquita route is a bridge to Galicia — designed to draw Spanish riders to Vinhais and to invite Portuguese riders to discover the neighbouring country.

Towards the border. From Vinhais, the immediate goal is the Serra da Coroa, climbing to Landedo, reaching the Moimenta/Mazalvos border within a few kilometres.

In Galician lands. Now in Spain, in Galician territory, the route runs via Manzalvos, O Carrizal, O Mallo, A Mezquita and O Pereiro. For about eight kilometres it heads east on a road parallel to the A52 motorway, with good views; it is an important part of the Via de Prata of the Camino de Santiago, lending the route a layer of culture and pilgrimage.

The Gamoneda and the return. The Serra da Gamoneda stands out in the landscape and is the next goal — without climbing it fully — leading to Castromil as the mountain is skirted. By the Hermisende road the route returns to Portugal north of Moimenta; from there it stays within the municipality, skirting the border to Mofreita and, via Fresulfe, Soeira and Vila Verde, entering the EN 103 to the town.

## Quick answers

### How long is the A Mezquita Route route and how much climbing does it have?

88.9 km, with 2353 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.

### How long does the A Mezquita Route route take?

About 4h30 (estimated time).

### Is the A Mezquita Route route difficult?

The technical difficulty is hard (red). Physical effort: 4 out of 5.

### When is the best time to ride or walk the A Mezquita Route route?

Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.

### Where does the A Mezquita Route route start?

The route belongs to the Vinhais centre.

### Is the A Mezquita Route route waymarked?

Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.

### Where can I download the GPX for the A Mezquita Route route?

The GPX track is available at https://naturasports.pt/percurso/rota-de-a-mezquita/export-gpx.