The River Minho Ecotrail is a good option for physical training while you can discover part of the region.
Connecting Valença to Monção, this trail follows the river Minho course, taking advantage of an old railway line. It was inaugurated in 2004, it is about 13km long, and was later enlarged to 17 km. Nowadays, you can follow the trail up to the International Bridge that connects Monção to Salvaterra, another extention to this route is planned.
It is a good place for sports - whether on foot or by bicycle - always surrounded by nature. Along the trail, enjoy the panoramic views over the river Minho, the vineyards around, and on the opposite side, the neighbouring, Galiza.
In order to know a little bit more about this Ecotrail, go to the former way station of Cortes, where you will find an Interpretation Centre which, with the other one, hosted at the former “Casa da Vigia da Linha”, in Valença, welcome the Ecotrail users, providing parking áreas, information boards, interpretative brochures and some memories of the old railway line. You will also find, on the way, several interpretive boards that help to know the fauna and flora of the region.
You will pass through several other points of interest, such as “Pesqueiras de Cortes”, some picnic parks and the Tower of Lapela. with some luck, when you pass through “Pesqueiras” you will see the fishermen at work, with their fishing-rods or with their traditional boats.
An interesting tour that let you assimilate, in one go, a great part of the natural and architectural wonders of the Alto Minho.
Location: Monção
Connecting Valença to Monção, this trail follows the river Minho course, taking advantage of an old railway line. It was inaugurated in 2004, it is about 13km long, and was later enlarged to 17 km. Nowadays, you can follow the trail up to the International Bridge that connects Monção to Salvaterra, another extention to this route is planned.
It is a good place for sports - whether on foot or by bicycle - always surrounded by nature. Along the trail, enjoy the panoramic views over the river Minho, the vineyards around, and on the opposite side, the neighbouring, Galiza.
In order to know a little bit more about this Ecotrail, go to the former way station of Cortes, where you will find an Interpretation Centre which, with the other one, hosted at the former “Casa da Vigia da Linha”, in Valença, welcome the Ecotrail users, providing parking áreas, information boards, interpretative brochures and some memories of the old railway line. You will also find, on the way, several interpretive boards that help to know the fauna and flora of the region.
You will pass through several other points of interest, such as “Pesqueiras de Cortes”, some picnic parks and the Tower of Lapela. with some luck, when you pass through “Pesqueiras” you will see the fishermen at work, with their fishing-rods or with their traditional boats.
An interesting tour that let you assimilate, in one go, a great part of the natural and architectural wonders of the Alto Minho.
Location: Monção
