Rota dos Castanheiros

The PR1 “Rota dos Castanheiros” trail begins in Paredes da Beira, next to the chapel of St. Sebastian, heading toward the road that connects this town to Riodades. After walking about two hundred meters, take a path between walls that leads to Soutelo, passing by a small irrigation dam, and through chestnut groves heading toward the abandoned village of Britelo—already in the municipality of Penedono—all the way to Penela da Beira.
In this village, next to the chapel of St. Sebastião, take the trails through the São Paio mountain range—perhaps the highest point in the municipality of S. João da Pesqueira—from which you can enjoy a sweeping panoramic view of the Douro vineyards. Here, the descent begins, leading back to Paredes da Beira.

Along the route, you can admire the enormous chestnut trees, some centuries old with large canopies where birdlife abounds, notably the Eurasian Jay, the Eurasian Greenfinch, the Blue Rock Thrush, the Eurasian Nuthatch, and, in the open fields, the Bonelli’s Eagle.

You can also admire the abundant examples of architectural heritage in both Penela and Paredes da Beira.