# Soeira Route

> Starting at the river beach, the route crosses the Way of St James, passes through the hazel groves of Quintela and follows the River Tuela to the Old Bridge of Soeira, returning via the village and the Church of São Martinho. There is also a shorter version, which skips Quintela without missing out on the essentials.

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

- **Activity:** Percurso Pedestre
- **Distance:** 10.6 km
- **Elevation gain:** 364 m
- **Elevation loss:** 363 m
- **Altitude:** 588–782 m
- **Estimated time:** 3h
- **Route type:** Loop
- **Best season:** Spring, Summer, Autumn
- **Code:** VNH_PPR06
- **Centre:** [Vinhais](https://naturasports.pt/en/centro/vinhais)
- **GPX:** https://naturasports.pt/percurso/rota-de-soeira/export-gpx

Based at the Soeira river beach (with refreshments), this route brings together genuine attractions: the Camino de Santiago, the Rio Tuela, the old Soeira bridge and a large area of chestnut and oak woods.

From the beach the Camino is followed, then a turn leads to Quintela through an ancient, almost mythical wood of oaks and chestnuts. The small, preserved village is crossed by its church before heading south to the banks of the Tuela, with a passage between rocks carved by the water as far as the old Soeira bridge. There the Camino is rejoined, in the opposite direction, to Soeira (café, Church of São Martinho) and the final stretch to the river beach. A shorter version (about 2 km less) skips Quintela.

## Quick answers

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

10.6 km, with 364 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.

### How long does the Soeira Route route take?

About 3h (estimated time).

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

Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.

### Where does the Soeira Route route start?

The route belongs to the Vinhais centre.

### Is the Soeira Route route waymarked?

Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.

### Where can I download the GPX for the Soeira Route route?

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