Alternative route from Peso da Régua to Vila Real

[alansykes]

Many people on the CPI walk from Régua to Bertelo and then to Vila Real, taking two days, as there is a lot of up and down. I'm running low on time, and happened to find a wikiloc which follows the old Corgo railway line (closed about 5 years ago) between the two.

I took it today and it was fantastic. 27km door to door, and a total of 864m ascent, so a not unreasonable day. And jawdroppingly beautiful, following the river through secret valleys, past old stations and through a couple of villages, with many groups out pruning their vines or beating the last olives off the trees. The river often visible and sometimes audible far below. And the viaduct (5th highest bridge in Europe, according to Dr Google) reassuring you that lunch may not be close but will come. Only two bridges to cross (one possibly not recommended for anybody suffering from vertigo) and no tunnels.

Must be in the top 10 of my 300-odd camino days (if I can call it that as there were no arrows until Vila Real).

https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/spatialArtifacts.do?event=setCurrentSpatialArtifact&id=21276101

 

[VNwalking]

It looks like it was quite the day, Alan. I doubt that I will ever walk this way, so it's very nice to be able to to peer over your shoulder. Thanks.
(If you follow Alan's link to the Wikiloc page, he has more pics of what must have been a glorious day!)

 

[John Saxon]

Hi, Alan. What can you tell me about the old railroad bridge across the Tanha River on this route not too far out of Regua. Saw a photo somewhere that made me a bit wary of walking across it.

 

[alansykes]

Hi, Alan. What can you tell me about the old railroad bridge across the Tanha River on this route not too far out of Regua. Saw a photo somewhere that made me a bit wary of walking across it.

The bridge was a bit scary and had all the slats removed, but they might have restored it since I went over 18 months ago. It was solid, if narrow (?~20cm wide) and I seem to remember there was a hand rail, so, other than the sheer drop, not really dangerous. On the north side there were lots of signs saying "prohibido el paso", or whatever that is in Portuguese, but, oddly, none on the south side, which is why I went over. Looking at my wikiloc trail, there seems to be a solid bridge not far to the west, which might be worth trying.

Other than that (ex) bridge, it was the most amazing, beautiful day and I would recommend it to anybody not suffering from vertigo.