Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route

Rural Vinhais beneath a quartzite crag

Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route

The Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route runs through the south of the municipality, following the River Tuela through villages with a strong sense of identity, such as Cidões, with its centuries-old Festival of the Goat and the Left-Hander. The hill bears traces of Roman mining and the memory of a Moorish castle. Suitable for gravel bikes.

Activity
BTT
Distance
46,4 km
Elevation gain
1416 m
Elevation loss
1434 m
Altitude
376–828 m
Estimated time
4h
Technical difficulty
Hard (red)
Route type
Loop
Best season
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Waymarked
Yes
Code
BTT05

Centre: Vinhais

Heading south, this route reveals a rural Vinhais of strong character, away from the protected park. The river and the villages. From Vinhais the route drops to the Rio Tuela, which accompanies it for many kilometres up to the Cerro de Penhas Juntas. Along the way lies Cidões, known for its Festa da Cabra e do Canhoto (31 October): a pagan tradition tied to the cult of nature, with a great bonfire of the "canhoto" and a goat cooked in pots for a communal meal. A hill with a past. The Cerro de Penhas Juntas, wild in appearance, is ridden around on rolling tracks. There is no access to the top, but the hill holds a fascinating past: mining remains — the "Buraco do Serro" and "Buraco das Tintas", thought to have been worked by the Romans — and the memory of a Moorish castle, still discernible. Chestnut groves and return. Penhas Juntas, crossed by the route, has well-kept houses and two cafés. To the north, the route heads to Vilar de Peregrinos through extensive chestnut groves, with a privileged view over Vinhais, before descending to the Ponte D'Arranca and climbing back to the town.

Download the track: GPX · KML

Quick answers

How long is the Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route route and how much climbing does it have?

46.4 km, with 1416 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.

How long does the Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route route take?

About 4h (estimated time).

Is the Cerro de Penhas Juntas 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 Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route route?

Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.

Where does the Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route route start?

You can start at: Vinhais.

Is the Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route route waymarked?

Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.

Where can I download the GPX for the Cerro de Penhas Juntas Route route?

The GPX track is available at https://naturasports.pt/percurso/rota-do-cerro-de-penhas-juntas/export-gpx.

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