The trail of Branda da Aveleira is a walking path of small route (PR) marked and signalized according international rules. This trail is localized on the northern edge of Serra da Peneda, in the Glaciar Valley of River Vez, Melgaço municipality and involves part of the parish of Gave.
Starting from the village of Melgaço, take the road to the Peneda Gerês National Park in direction to the door of Lamas de Mouro (one of the entrances do the National Park) and once there take the road to S. Bento do Cando. After 30 km we are in Branda da Aveleira and near the small chapel of Sra. da Guia where we will start this trail. Branda da Aveleira is a “plateau” of mountain over Glaciar Valley, and is an occupation for the pastures communities. The name “branda” derives from veranda, which means spending the summer in the uplands with the cattle for the herds. In winter they come down to the “inverneira”, (houses in the valley) where they have their homes. Here, during their seasonal stay, they build shelters, known as “cardenhas” and work the land contributing to the shaping of the landscape. Leaving behind the “Branda” we continue the walk between rustic walls usually named “canejas” which limit the fields .After a while we leave a forest path that lead us to a bush of pine trees. In the vast mountain landscape, the path leads us to a pool where the animals used to go to have water. Step by step we go down a path that takes us back to Branda da Aveleira, reaching the place where we begin this path.
Location: Melgaço
Starting from the village of Melgaço, take the road to the Peneda Gerês National Park in direction to the door of Lamas de Mouro (one of the entrances do the National Park) and once there take the road to S. Bento do Cando. After 30 km we are in Branda da Aveleira and near the small chapel of Sra. da Guia where we will start this trail. Branda da Aveleira is a “plateau” of mountain over Glaciar Valley, and is an occupation for the pastures communities. The name “branda” derives from veranda, which means spending the summer in the uplands with the cattle for the herds. In winter they come down to the “inverneira”, (houses in the valley) where they have their homes. Here, during their seasonal stay, they build shelters, known as “cardenhas” and work the land contributing to the shaping of the landscape. Leaving behind the “Branda” we continue the walk between rustic walls usually named “canejas” which limit the fields .After a while we leave a forest path that lead us to a bush of pine trees. In the vast mountain landscape, the path leads us to a pool where the animals used to go to have water. Step by step we go down a path that takes us back to Branda da Aveleira, reaching the place where we begin this path.
Location: Melgaço
