Walking Trail 'Watermills and Fortresses of Guadiana'Beja
SETTING
Quintos is a small town situated on the Eastern border of the municipality of Beja, where the river Guadiana ensures borders with the neighbouring municipality of Serpa. A long time ago, the fields of cereals covered this territory almost entirely and the Guadiana watermills ground the grain produced there, now being ancestral testimonials stopped in time. Rural reality shows signs of profound change to the irrigation system with the arrival of water from Lake Alqueva.
THE WALKING TRAIL
Starting at the Largo da Ponte (square), in Quintos, head East along the river, taking the road that becomes a rural path. Take the direction of Monte da Gravia dos Pisões where you will turn right near the fountain. Behold, we are in the middle of fertile ground where irrigation prevails thanks to water arriving underground from the Alqueva Lake.
About a thousand and two hundred metres ahead, take the tight turn to the left, crossing over the ruins of what was once the important Monte da Gravia do Meio, after which you will start going down the Barranco da Gravia to cross its line of water which, in times of rain, involves crossing the ford. Climb the South face of the ravine, passing next to the Monte do Telheirinho (hill), turn left and follow the municipal road 1067 for just over two kilometres, where you will again turn left towards Azenha do Vau, next to the Guadiana River, about one and a half kilometres away.
On this path, to the right, you will see the Fonte do Vau de Baixo (fountain). Visit the watermill, this one and others, with extreme care not to slip or fall into the river. Get back on track to continue up the river, finding next to it the Fortim do Vau (fortress), a curious defensive construction, with no doors or windows, which was the ancient border control as well as the crossing point which took place here by "barca” (boat). A little further ahead lies the Azenha de Quilos (watermill). Follow up the river to see the Azenha dos Machados (watermill), turning right before it for a long climb toward Monte da Gravia dos Pisões. From here, take the same route back to the starting point.
If you would like to be accompanied by a guide please contact:
SAL Sistemas de Ar Livre >>> http://bit.ly/2ohxcUd
FACTSHEET
Location: Beja
Distance: 15 kilometros
Duration: 4h/5h
Grade of difficulty: Average
Download route map >>
https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/gca/mapa_9_4035397915de1126c1b5bf.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.
Quintos is a small town situated on the Eastern border of the municipality of Beja, where the river Guadiana ensures borders with the neighbouring municipality of Serpa. A long time ago, the fields of cereals covered this territory almost entirely and the Guadiana watermills ground the grain produced there, now being ancestral testimonials stopped in time. Rural reality shows signs of profound change to the irrigation system with the arrival of water from Lake Alqueva.
THE WALKING TRAIL
Starting at the Largo da Ponte (square), in Quintos, head East along the river, taking the road that becomes a rural path. Take the direction of Monte da Gravia dos Pisões where you will turn right near the fountain. Behold, we are in the middle of fertile ground where irrigation prevails thanks to water arriving underground from the Alqueva Lake.
About a thousand and two hundred metres ahead, take the tight turn to the left, crossing over the ruins of what was once the important Monte da Gravia do Meio, after which you will start going down the Barranco da Gravia to cross its line of water which, in times of rain, involves crossing the ford. Climb the South face of the ravine, passing next to the Monte do Telheirinho (hill), turn left and follow the municipal road 1067 for just over two kilometres, where you will again turn left towards Azenha do Vau, next to the Guadiana River, about one and a half kilometres away.
On this path, to the right, you will see the Fonte do Vau de Baixo (fountain). Visit the watermill, this one and others, with extreme care not to slip or fall into the river. Get back on track to continue up the river, finding next to it the Fortim do Vau (fortress), a curious defensive construction, with no doors or windows, which was the ancient border control as well as the crossing point which took place here by "barca” (boat). A little further ahead lies the Azenha de Quilos (watermill). Follow up the river to see the Azenha dos Machados (watermill), turning right before it for a long climb toward Monte da Gravia dos Pisões. From here, take the same route back to the starting point.
If you would like to be accompanied by a guide please contact:
SAL Sistemas de Ar Livre >>> http://bit.ly/2ohxcUd
FACTSHEET
Location: Beja
Distance: 15 kilometros
Duration: 4h/5h
Grade of difficulty: Average
Download route map >>
https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/gca/mapa_9_4035397915de1126c1b5bf.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.
