PTL PR3HikingOfficially certified trail
Trilho da Serra D’Arga Lobo Atlântico
Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
8.5 km
Duration
4h
Altitude
750 m
Type
Loop
Description
Machine-translated from Portuguese.
The
Atlantic Wolf Trail is a hiking trail classified as a
short route. Its markings and signage comply with
international standards. The trail runs through the heart of the Serra d’Arga,
through the municipalities of Ponte de Lima and Caminha, offering
direct contact with the heritage, customs, and traditions associated with
mountain regions. We begin the route in Ponte de Lima, at the site of
Cerquido, in the parish of Estorãos, more precisely next to the chapel where
Saint Rufina is venerated. This saint is the sister of Saint Justa, who is also
venerated in the same mountain range, about 2 km away.
The village of Cerquido is characterized by a mountainous landscape, with granite extending all the way to Senhora do Minho, traditional terraced fields, the houses, the streets, and the streams that run through it. With a privileged geographical location on the slopes of the Serra d’Arga, the village is also a must-see destination for lovers of bucolic nature.
In the areas that soften the steepest slopes of the imposing Serra d’Arga, particularly in the flatter zones associated with the village of Cerquido and the villages of Arga de Cima, which we will have the opportunity to explore, we will encounter the typical settlement pattern of the mountain ranges of northwestern Portugal, whose economy is based on the agricultural, forestry, and pastoral use of the land. Leaving the chapel, we turn left and follow a cobbled path to enter the rural village. Next, we climb the cobblestone path until it meets the paved road, continuing straight ahead on the cobblestone path. As we ascend, heading west, we leave the majestic Lima Valley behind.
Once at the top, we can contemplate a flat area where it is common to spot livestock, particularly garranos, one of the three national horse breeds. The garrano, which here can be seen in the wild, is considered by many to be the most emblematic symbol of the ancient biodiversity of Northwest Portugal. We continue to Porta do Lobo, at an altitude of about 800 meters, an area where wolves used to descend into the parish of Arga de Cima, and even before reaching the mountain community of that parish, which belongs to the municipality of Caminha, we spot the Moinhos do Covão, still in excellent condition.
Leaving the village, we pass through a small gate and then along a path surrounded by oak trees and other tree species that leads us to the ruins of the village of Reconco. A small village that, until very recently, had only a single inhabitant. Continuing along the route, we pass the former home of the forest ranger at Alto do Cavalinho, and come upon the remains of the old Fojo de Lobo, a rare example of civil heritage in the Serra d'Arga. This structure of vernacular architecture, with converging “V”-shaped walls, was used to capture and kill the wolf. After its death, the mythical animal, once known as the “besta,” was paraded through the mountain villages, showing the people the creature that had terrified them. In the Arga Mountains, there is a small wolf pack, and wolves are frequently spotted in these parts.
From here, we begin the descent along an old path, next to a ravine that will take us to the village of Cerquido, and then on to the place where this route began.
The village of Cerquido is characterized by a mountainous landscape, with granite extending all the way to Senhora do Minho, traditional terraced fields, the houses, the streets, and the streams that run through it. With a privileged geographical location on the slopes of the Serra d’Arga, the village is also a must-see destination for lovers of bucolic nature.
In the areas that soften the steepest slopes of the imposing Serra d’Arga, particularly in the flatter zones associated with the village of Cerquido and the villages of Arga de Cima, which we will have the opportunity to explore, we will encounter the typical settlement pattern of the mountain ranges of northwestern Portugal, whose economy is based on the agricultural, forestry, and pastoral use of the land. Leaving the chapel, we turn left and follow a cobbled path to enter the rural village. Next, we climb the cobblestone path until it meets the paved road, continuing straight ahead on the cobblestone path. As we ascend, heading west, we leave the majestic Lima Valley behind.
Once at the top, we can contemplate a flat area where it is common to spot livestock, particularly garranos, one of the three national horse breeds. The garrano, which here can be seen in the wild, is considered by many to be the most emblematic symbol of the ancient biodiversity of Northwest Portugal. We continue to Porta do Lobo, at an altitude of about 800 meters, an area where wolves used to descend into the parish of Arga de Cima, and even before reaching the mountain community of that parish, which belongs to the municipality of Caminha, we spot the Moinhos do Covão, still in excellent condition.
Leaving the village, we pass through a small gate and then along a path surrounded by oak trees and other tree species that leads us to the ruins of the village of Reconco. A small village that, until very recently, had only a single inhabitant. Continuing along the route, we pass the former home of the forest ranger at Alto do Cavalinho, and come upon the remains of the old Fojo de Lobo, a rare example of civil heritage in the Serra d'Arga. This structure of vernacular architecture, with converging “V”-shaped walls, was used to capture and kill the wolf. After its death, the mythical animal, once known as the “besta,” was paraded through the mountain villages, showing the people the creature that had terrified them. In the Arga Mountains, there is a small wolf pack, and wolves are frequently spotted in these parts.
From here, we begin the descent along an old path, next to a ravine that will take us to the village of Cerquido, and then on to the place where this route began.
Nearby trails
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Percurso da Agua
Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo
- Distance
- 13 km
- Duration
- 6h
- Elevation gain
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ModerateLoop
