Parque Natura Monte Aloia...and Portugues variants?

[VNwalking]

My computer presented this to me tonight as a random image on the lock screen:

It's quite near Tui. I have to say, until I saw this I was never drawn to the Portugues. But maybe, just maybe...
The Camino goes past it but it's close enough for a day trip. Has anyone been there?

Looking at the map proved to be a deep rabbit-hole because, what piqued my interest even more was a biosphere reserve on the Portuguese side of the border between Tui and Ourense (the Reserva de la Biosfera Transfronteriza Gerês-Xurés)--I can't tell clearly but do either the Interior or the Caminho Torres go near or through this area? They look further southeast), but I can't tell exactly.

I also found post in this thread:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/faro-to-santiago-info-please.42875/
...but I've totally lost the forest for the trees...Can someone please help clarify (simply, perhaps with a link to a map) the names and locations of the interior Portuguese variants??

(Sorry, I realize now that this could be 2 threads; I hope it's OK to leave as is. Mods, please feel fee to prune and move if you think that's appropriate)

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Viranani,

I'm not sure any of this information will be of use to you, but here's what I know and don't know. Maybe Aurelio will come to the rescue!

I had never heard of this park (Monte Aloia), but found that Eroski also has a great section on its website filled with info about Spanish natural parks. This one seems to a lot of natural beauty, great views over the Minho Valley, and Roman ruins. http://parquesnaturales.consumer.es/parques/galicia/163.php.
The place where the visitors center is called Pazo de Reyes, but the actual park is on the other side of the autovia (A-55). My google maps doesn't bring up the visitor center street address, Frinxo 37, Pazo de Reyes, so I suppose it could be closer to the park entrance. But in any event,this seems to me to be a place where you'd need a car for a day trip.

On to the second area of natural interest, the Reserva Geres-Xures --http://www.reservabiosferageresxures.com/indexen.html. Based on what I can tell, this natural area includes both the Spanish and Portuguese sides. I have been in the beautiful natural park Peneda Geres in Portugal several times. We have stayed in Geres (a thermal baths town with several hotels, mainly faded beauties trying to re-brand themselves as spas), in the Portuguese pousada in Canicada, and in a Casa Rural in Pitoes das Junias (which has a 3-4 km stroll out to a monastery totally in ruins, which is just wonderful). Just in case you want to plan a trip there.

I do not believe (but would love to be proven wrong since it's such a lovely place) that either the Interior or any other camino in Portugal goes through Geres.

Always on the look out for beautiful new camino routes, aren't you?!

 

[VNwalking]

But in any event,this seems to me to be a place where you'd need a car for a day trip.

It looks so close to Tui, but that might explain the thunderous silence here in terms of replies (thank you for yours, Laurie!). No-one seems to be aware of it.

I do not believe (but would love to be proven wrong since it's such a lovely place) that either the Interior or any other camino in Portugal goes through Geres.

Oh darn. So much for that idea.

We have stayed in Geres (a thermal baths town with several hotels, mainly faded beauties trying to re-brand themselves as spas), in the Portuguese pousada in Canicada, and in a Casa Rural in Pitoes das Junias (which has a 3-4 km stroll out to a monastery totally in ruins, which is just wonderful). Just in case you want to plan a trip there.

Well, I was just hoping that a Camino path would go through it. But others might like to have this information--it seems a wonderful side trip or place to go with a non-walking partner at the end of a Camino.

Always on the look out for beautiful new camino routes, aren't you?!

Just thinking, just thinking.
I do love wild places...and have time free in May. Thinking I don't want to be on the Frances then.

And please, does anyone know a link to a labelled map of all the Portuguese variants?
This:
http://www.mundicamino.com/los-caminos.cfm
is great for Spain, but doesn't help me at all with figuring out what paths are what in Portugal.

 

[jsalt]

Hi, the Peneda-Gerês National Park in Portugal is well worth a visit. I walked some of the hiking trails there many, many years ago (so, sorry, but cannot remember exactly where). Have always wanted to return. Jill

 

[JohnCP43]

My brother & I visited this park as a half day trip from Valenca/Tui in April 2016. I don't think the CP goes through it. The waterfalls are beautiful .

 

[gracethepilgrim]

I can confirm that I didn’t walk through it on the CPI (unless I missed it , or it was called somehitng else). Although I did walk past a wonderful spa at ‘Pedras Salgadas’, before Vidago.

 

[VNwalking]

Although I did walk past a wonderful spa at ‘Pedras Salgadas’, before Vidago.

Spas are good, too.

 

[amsimoes]

Hi

The "Caminho de Santiago pela Geira Romana ou Via Nova", begins in Braga, crosses the Serra do Geres to Santiago.

I do not know if it is marked whit arrows, but there are pilgrims who do it.

http://www.allaboutportugal.pt/braga/outdoor-activities/caminho-de-santiago-braga

http://porfragasepragas.blogspot.pt/2014/07/camin0.html (in portuguese)

http://pt.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=7321798

http://www.serradogeres.com/index.php/locais-paisagisticos/a-geira

http://www.rabacal.net/attachments/061_brochura_caminhos_santiago.pdf

http://www.olharescuriosos.com/2012/08/22-08-2012-santiago-de-compostela-2012.html


Braga - Santiago - Fisterra (5 a 14 de Julho de 2014) - 300 km
(Geira romana, Camiño Miñoto-Ribeiro, Camiño Vreeiro)
01) 05.07 - Braga - Caldelas - Terras de Bouro: 31 km
02) 06.07 - Terras de Bouro - Portela do Homem - Bubaces: 34 km
03) 07.07 - Bubaces - Entrimo - Castro Laboreiro: 33 km
04) 08.07 - Castro Laboreiro - Monterredondo - Cortegada: 34 km
05) 09.07 - Cortegada - Ribadavia - Leiro: 29 km
06) 10.07 - Leiro - Boborás - Brués: 17 km
07) 11.07 - Brués - Forcarei - Soutelo de Montes: 23 km
08) 12.07 - Soutelo de Montes - Ponte Ulla: 37 km
09) 13.07 - Ponte Ulla - Pico Sacro - Santiago: 21 km
10) 14.07 - Dumbría - Fisterra: 37 km

 

[VNwalking]

Oh my, @amismoes, thank you!
Like, like, like!
Wow.
Bookmarked.

 

[gracethepilgrim]

Aurelio deserves a medal for his wealth of knowledge on all the Portuguese caminos. He’s a gem

 

[VNwalking]

I am guessing we are not the only ones out here in Forumland who are offering 3 cheers!
Heartfelt thanks again, Aurelio......

 

[Camembert]

Aurelio deserves a medal for his wealth of knowledge on all the Portuguese caminos. He’s a gem

I agree with you..a big gold medal !
And it is a privilage to know Aurêlio and his lovely wife Rita in person !
We had a good time with them last May in Lisbon together and they showed us the hidden gems of Lisbon with as a highlite tasting the best "pasteis de nata of Portugal. Thanks again Aurëlio and Rita.