Trilho da Insua do Castro

The Ínsua do Crasto Trail is a short hiking route, marked and signposted in accordance with international and national guidelines. This trail, which focuses on history and the environment, follows the old paths of the Valencian parishes of Friestas and Verdoejo. This trail does not present any major physical challenges; as can be seen in the technical specifications, it is a low-altitude route that runs close to the Minho River. It is 8.2 kilometers long, part of which runs along the Minho River Ecopista, between Valença and Monção. One of the first notable landmarks is the Portal do Crasto, built in the 18th century in the Baroque style, though with some Latin American influences. Leaving the portal behind, we quickly realize that we are surrounded by a riverside forest full of leafy trees.Various species of seabirds take advantage of this spot called Ínsuado Crasto to feed in abundance, as it is a refuge, a “nursery” for aquatic life.The island is at its most striking in spring, with the scents, colors, and subtleties that only nature can reflect. We cannot fail to mention that Ínsua do Crasto was the scene of an episode that was, to say the least, unique, in which the American aviator Lindbergh made an emergency landing on the water during his attempt to fly from Geneva to Lisbon.Leaving these peculiar events behind, we continue our walk; upon reaching the Friestas recreation area, we can take a break to rest and admire the Minho River and its banks. But be careful: before reaching the recreation area, we must exercise caution, as at times, when the tide is high, the path can become impassable. Step by step, the route unfolds without difficulty, making for a peaceful family stroll. Another highlight is undoubtedly the Adro Velho, a medieval cemetery where, partially buried within it, you can see two monolithic, anthropomorphic medieval tombs, along with two fragments of an inscribed tombstone. In the 16th century, a wayside cross was erected here, marking the sacred nature of the site. We continue on, this time toward the end of the route, but first we pass by the old Verdoejo prison; and if we take a detour from the path, we’ll find an old jurisdictional boundary marker for a hunting reserve, now considered a pillory,of great simplicity, with a cylindrical granite shaft subdivided into five sections. After leaving these sights behind, we quickly reach the end of this walking tour, which reveals various historical aspects of this region.