# Southern Route of the Concelho

> A road trip through the southern part of the municipality, outside the Natural Park, through landscapes that surprise with their variety. From the Ervedosa Mines to the olive groves of Agrochão, passing by the imposing Cerro de Penhas Juntas, the route winds through villages steeped in rural life before returning to Vinhais.

URL: https://naturasports.pt/en/percurso/rota-do-sul-do-concelho

- **Activity:** Estrada
- **Distance:** 71.7 km
- **Elevation gain:** 1823 m
- **Elevation loss:** 1824 m
- **Altitude:** 344–990 m
- **Estimated time:** 3h
- **Technical difficulty:** Hard (red)
- **Route type:** Loop
- **Best season:** Spring, Summer, Autumn
- **Code:** VNH_CRD03VRM
- **Centre:** [Vinhais](https://naturasports.pt/en/centro/vinhais)
- **GPX:** https://naturasports.pt/percurso/rota-do-sul-do-concelho/export-gpx

The Rota do Sul do Concelho shows a different Vinhais — the south, outside the park, of rural villages and surprising landscapes.

The realm of mines. From the town, the EN 103 heads west via Sobreiró de Cima and Curopos to Rebordelo; at its entrance the route turns to Nuzedo de Baixo, where the "Realm of the Ervedosa Mines" begins. Along the way are remains of the mines, views of the old miners' quarter and monuments — in Nuzedo de Baixo, Soutilha and Ervedosa, the villages that lived from mining in the last century.

The olive groves. Heading to Agrochão, the route enters the olive-grove landscape — a contrast with the chestnut groves of the north.

The dominating hill. Towards Falgueiras, the Cerro de Penhas Juntas stands out for its scale and its quartzite crag. From Penhas Juntas the route goes to Edrosa and Zoio, turns to Ousilhão and drops to Nunes and the Ponte D'Arranca — where the last challenge of the day begins: the final climb to Vinhais.

## Quick answers

### How long is the Southern Route of the Concelho route and how much climbing does it have?

71.7 km, with 1823 m of elevation gain. It is a loop route.

### How long does the Southern Route of the Concelho route take?

About 3h (estimated time).

### Is the Southern Route of the Concelho route difficult?

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

### When is the best time to ride or walk the Southern Route of the Concelho route?

Recommended season: spring, summer, autumn.

### Where does the Southern Route of the Concelho route start?

The route belongs to the Vinhais centre.

### Is the Southern Route of the Concelho route waymarked?

Yes, the route is waymarked on the ground.

### Where can I download the GPX for the Southern Route of the Concelho route?

The GPX track is available at https://naturasports.pt/percurso/rota-do-sul-do-concelho/export-gpx.