Walking Trail 'From Serra Colorada to Cerro do Calvário'Barrancos
SETTING
The village of Barrancos and the surrounding territory are locations with a magic that is difficult to put in words. Located at the eastern end of the Alentejo, right next to the border line, this location keeps within itself a centrality ensured by its strategic geographic position and temperance of the folk who have always known how to live in apparently distant locations. The history of Barrancos and its people is the perfect blend between two neighbouring peoples with common traditions.
WALKING TRAIL
Leave the Miradouro garden and take the Rua 1º de Dezembro street and the Rua das Forças Armadas street to the Praça da Liberdade square. Climb through the streets of the village toward the cemetery and go round its left side, then go straight ahead toward the border line. Go past the strongholds with the olive trees and small vegetable gardens and you will see several boundary stones.
The village of Barrancos and the surrounding territory are locations with a magic that is difficult to put in words. Located at the eastern end of the Alentejo, right next to the border line, this location keeps within itself a centrality ensured by its strategic geographic position and temperance of the folk who have always known how to live in apparently distant locations. The history of Barrancos and its people is the perfect blend between two neighbouring peoples with common traditions.
WALKING TRAIL
Leave the Miradouro garden and take the Rua 1º de Dezembro street and the Rua das Forças Armadas street to the Praça da Liberdade square. Climb through the streets of the village toward the cemetery and go round its left side, then go straight ahead toward the border line. Go past the strongholds with the olive trees and small vegetable gardens and you will see several boundary stones.
At the end of the descent, make sure you follow the most ancient access road to the border, on the right, a little below the current road. Spot the tiny adobe house - a former Portuguese border post - and keep going through the slightly hidden cobblestone. Pass the border landmark 983 on the right, enter a few metres into Spain, turning immediately to the left, and cross the road bridge. Climb up the national road, passing by the Lancheira fountain, to the most recent but disabled border post.
Exit the road to the right, climbing a steep forest firebreak until you reach the path at the top of Serra Colorada. Once at the top, take a left and enjoy the magnificent landscape. Cross the road 1024 while moving forward. You can take a detour, there and back, to the right, taking the road, to see the landscape north of the territory. On the original path, keep going until you find a very tight curve to the left at the end of the descending part and follow a path between trees until you reach the fountain.
Take to the curb of road 1023 heading north for about a kilometre until Ribeira de Murtega (river). Here you can take an optional route, there and back, crossing the Ponte da Russiana bridge, also known as Ponte da Pipa, climbing the right bank of the river up to the mouth of Ribeira do Cadaval river in order to visit the mill and bridge bearing the same name.
On the original route, after the bridge, go past the Pipa fountain and mill and climb through a small footpath next to the miller’s house until you reach the dirt road at the top of the hill, taking the right side until you’re back on the paved road where you will walk about eight hundred metres to then turn right, passing by the only vineyard in the region.
Pass by the abandoned Mina de Minancos mine and take the wide curve, to then continue south towards the industrial area. Cross the national highway 254 and climb up the path toward the Cerro do Calvário hill and turn left until you get to the paved path, taking the right side. Pass the Fonte das Bicas fountain and after crossing the road, proceed straight ahead.
Make sure you take the left turn to the somewhat steep stone path, which leads to the cemetery that you must go round on the left side, followed by an old road between walls, taking the Travessa da Preguiçosa until your each the heart of Barrancos.
If you would like to be accompanied by a guide please contact:
SAL Sistemas de Ar Livre >>> http://bit.ly/2ohxcUd
FACTSHEET
Location: Barrancos
Distance: 17km
Duration: 5/6h
Degree of Difficulty: Average
Download the trail map:
https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/gca/mapa_8_2494858245de118e94f50d.pdf
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.
Exit the road to the right, climbing a steep forest firebreak until you reach the path at the top of Serra Colorada. Once at the top, take a left and enjoy the magnificent landscape. Cross the road 1024 while moving forward. You can take a detour, there and back, to the right, taking the road, to see the landscape north of the territory. On the original path, keep going until you find a very tight curve to the left at the end of the descending part and follow a path between trees until you reach the fountain.
Take to the curb of road 1023 heading north for about a kilometre until Ribeira de Murtega (river). Here you can take an optional route, there and back, crossing the Ponte da Russiana bridge, also known as Ponte da Pipa, climbing the right bank of the river up to the mouth of Ribeira do Cadaval river in order to visit the mill and bridge bearing the same name.
On the original route, after the bridge, go past the Pipa fountain and mill and climb through a small footpath next to the miller’s house until you reach the dirt road at the top of the hill, taking the right side until you’re back on the paved road where you will walk about eight hundred metres to then turn right, passing by the only vineyard in the region.
Pass by the abandoned Mina de Minancos mine and take the wide curve, to then continue south towards the industrial area. Cross the national highway 254 and climb up the path toward the Cerro do Calvário hill and turn left until you get to the paved path, taking the right side. Pass the Fonte das Bicas fountain and after crossing the road, proceed straight ahead.
Make sure you take the left turn to the somewhat steep stone path, which leads to the cemetery that you must go round on the left side, followed by an old road between walls, taking the Travessa da Preguiçosa until your each the heart of Barrancos.
If you would like to be accompanied by a guide please contact:
SAL Sistemas de Ar Livre >>> http://bit.ly/2ohxcUd
FACTSHEET
Location: Barrancos
Distance: 17km
Duration: 5/6h
Degree of Difficulty: Average
Download the trail map:
https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/gca/mapa_8_2494858245de118e94f50d.pdf
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.
