Walking Trail 'Across the Living Heritage of Mourão'Mourão
SETTING
The town of Mourão is a real treasure on the edge of Lake Alqueva. Strongly marked by the Guadiana River, today it has an idyllic setting with waters as far as the eye can see and old paths and roads immersing themselves in the placid blue of the calm waters. The hills and old walls now make amazing cut-outs for walking and discovering new landscapes at every moment, topped off by a beautifully preserved historic centre and a castle that takes us back in time.
THE WALKING TRAIL
Start next to the Tourist Office of Mourão, at Largo de São Bento and climb up the Estrada da Barca (road), turning at the top toward Rua Frei António das Chagas (street) until you reach the Castle, which you must visit. Exit the Castle and go round the outer walls to the North and, on this side, turn right, by the old moat. Follow a trail between walls, towards the Hermitage of São Sebastião.
The town of Mourão is a real treasure on the edge of Lake Alqueva. Strongly marked by the Guadiana River, today it has an idyllic setting with waters as far as the eye can see and old paths and roads immersing themselves in the placid blue of the calm waters. The hills and old walls now make amazing cut-outs for walking and discovering new landscapes at every moment, topped off by a beautifully preserved historic centre and a castle that takes us back in time.
THE WALKING TRAIL
Start next to the Tourist Office of Mourão, at Largo de São Bento and climb up the Estrada da Barca (road), turning at the top toward Rua Frei António das Chagas (street) until you reach the Castle, which you must visit. Exit the Castle and go round the outer walls to the North and, on this side, turn right, by the old moat. Follow a trail between walls, towards the Hermitage of São Sebastião.
Go round the Chapel and down a bit and then take the opposite direction on a wide curve to the left, taking the path between walls, parallel to the water line. Keep going until you reach the old paved road and turn left by the old Estrada da Barca (road) until you find another perpendicular path where you will turn right. Go down between the walls through the path that further ahead turns into a dirt road.
Follow straight ahead, cross another old paved road and keep going until you reach the end of a small peninsula. Here, the paths to follow always depend on the water level. When you get to the end, turn left following the borderline until you reach the old road again, next to a house. Follow the road to the right and turn into the first turn to your left after the quarry. Climb between the walls until you reach the Estrada da Barca (road) and go down toward the tourist office.
Pass the urban route, following the Praça da República (square), pass in front of the Church of São Francisco, turn right by Rua João José Vasconcelos Rosado (street) and Rua da Pedreira (street) to the end and turn right again, into Rua da Lapa (street), then turn right to Rua Dr. Silvestre Vasconcelos Rosado (street) and follow the Rua do Norte (street), Rua 9 de Abril (street) and again Praça da Repúbica (square), where your tour ends.
If you would like to be accompanied by a guide please contact:
SAL Sistemas de Ar Livre >>> http://bit.ly/2ohxcUd
FACTSHEET
Location: Mourão
Distance: 8.3km
Duration: 2h30
Difficulty level: Low
Download the trail map: https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/gca/mapa_5_2382976735de10a1988f38.pdf
Follow straight ahead, cross another old paved road and keep going until you reach the end of a small peninsula. Here, the paths to follow always depend on the water level. When you get to the end, turn left following the borderline until you reach the old road again, next to a house. Follow the road to the right and turn into the first turn to your left after the quarry. Climb between the walls until you reach the Estrada da Barca (road) and go down toward the tourist office.
Pass the urban route, following the Praça da República (square), pass in front of the Church of São Francisco, turn right by Rua João José Vasconcelos Rosado (street) and Rua da Pedreira (street) to the end and turn right again, into Rua da Lapa (street), then turn right to Rua Dr. Silvestre Vasconcelos Rosado (street) and follow the Rua do Norte (street), Rua 9 de Abril (street) and again Praça da Repúbica (square), where your tour ends.
If you would like to be accompanied by a guide please contact:
SAL Sistemas de Ar Livre >>> http://bit.ly/2ohxcUd
FACTSHEET
Location: Mourão
Distance: 8.3km
Duration: 2h30
Difficulty level: Low
Download the trail map: https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/gca/mapa_5_2382976735de10a1988f38.pdf
Download the guide: https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/editor2/guia_transalentejo_alqueva_en.pdf
SUGGESTIONS OF CONDUCT AND SAFETY
- Go on your tour as a group. If you are walking alone, leave behind the information on the trails you are going to take.
- In organized tours, always observe the indications of guides.
- Choose the area of your tour for spending the night, taking your meals and shopping. Greet and mingle with the locals.
- Use suitable clothing and footwear. Take sufficient water and food for the day, as well as means of communication and a first-aid kit.
- Take only the marked trails and respect private and public property. Leave the gates as found when you pass them.
- Avoid mineral or vegetable sampling and the disturbance of wild life and livestock, keeping as far as possible.
- Use caution when crossing hazardous locations. When in doubt, go back.
- Take the utmost care when crossing roads, streets and railway lines.
- Respect the surrounding nature. Avoid using shocking colours and making unnecessary noises.
- Take your garbage and place it in appropriate containers at the site where you purchased the goods that gave rise to this garbage.
- Do not make fire. Avoid smoking or do it only at the stops.
SUGGESTIONS OF CONDUCT AND SAFETY
- Go on your tour as a group. If you are walking alone, leave behind the information on the trails you are going to take.
- In organized tours, always observe the indications of guides.
- Choose the area of your tour for spending the night, taking your meals and shopping. Greet and mingle with the locals.
- Use suitable clothing and footwear. Take sufficient water and food for the day, as well as means of communication and a first-aid kit.
- Take only the marked trails and respect private and public property. Leave the gates as found when you pass them.
- Avoid mineral or vegetable sampling and the disturbance of wild life and livestock, keeping as far as possible.
- Use caution when crossing hazardous locations. When in doubt, go back.
- Take the utmost care when crossing roads, streets and railway lines.
- Respect the surrounding nature. Avoid using shocking colours and making unnecessary noises.
- Take your garbage and place it in appropriate containers at the site where you purchased the goods that gave rise to this garbage.
- Do not make fire. Avoid smoking or do it only at the stops.
