Today we want to know the Natural Park of Montesihno. We will have breakfast at the campsite with delicious toast known as torraos with oil.
We take the car in direction Moimenta a small Portuguese town from which our route starts today.
Vinhais
The road from the campsite is winding and tree-lined. Chestbut trees everywhere reminds us of our beloved Galicia.
In Portugal the speed limits are similar to those in Spain.
We stop in Vinhais to buy ice for the fridge at the gas station, in the supermarket they don't have any. It is a beautiful town, with a well preserved castle and wall.
Vinhais
Vinhais
He keeps a hairdresser's shop that seems to have been unused for years. Very rich bread.
Hairdresser shop in Vinhais
We continue our way to Moimenta, it is a beautiful place. Granite buildings, cobbled streets... Traditional houses that keep their galleries intact.
Moimenta
Moimenta
Moimenta
It preserves unique buildings such as the Smuggling Museum, old mills, the communal forge, the washhouse, the Matriz Church of Sao Pedro and the impressive medieval bridge.
Smuggling Museum
In this area the first governors established a system of collective land tenure which has led to the development of a communal culture that lasts until now.
Viewpoint
Views from the viewpoint
On the road
It is tremendously hot (37 degrees) but we still start our circular route that begins in Moimenta itself. We start in the direction of the miradouro or lookout point, crossing some chestnut trees. The views of the area are spectacular despite the fact that this area was devastated by forest fires last year.
Medieval bridge
We are very close to the border with Spain. We continue to descend along a well-marked path until we reach the Tuela River. From here we cross a forest of large chestnut and oak trees until we reach the medieval bridge set in a beautiful gorge.
Roman road
From here to Moimenta we continue along the old Roman road that will take us to the door of the Matriz de Sao Pedro church.
Sao Pedro Church
Once the route is over, we take a Super Bock at the Riberia D'Anta Tavern, the only one in the village. It is terribly hot.
Moimenta
Moimenta
We asked about the mills and went to visit them. They have three of them built in cascade and one of them is open. It is in perfect condition.
Mills
Mills
On the way back to the car we find a neighbour perfectly dressed in her rubber boots, skirt, bra and headscarf with a hoe on the way to the garden.
Woman in Moimenta
From Moimenta we take the car in the direction of Mofreita to reach Dine, crossing the border with Spain.
In the North of Portugal there are some curious things like these road signs that instead of representing children represent old people. Depopulation in rural areas is also a problem in Spain, but in Portugal it is very acute.
Road sign
We arrive at the small town of Dine and go for a walk. Cobbled streets, orchards, traditional houses and magnificent views of the forest. It has a small museum and you have to ask the neighbours to find the person in charge.
Dine
Dine
It has a garden with a small dammed up pond which is very curious. There are lime kilns nearby.
In the rural areas you always have to be provided with a stick, it is easy for the dogs that look after the cattle to come out to meet you and they are really quite imposing.
Dine
Dine
Return to Cepo Verde on the N 308 towards Paramio, then the M1029 to Espinhosela to take the M504 to the Cepo Verde Campsite Park. It is worth stopping at every location in Montesihno Park, it always surprises you.
Once at the campsite we take a well-deserved dip in the swimming pool, which is a wonderful place to have a beer and rest.
Accommodation: Cepo Verde Campsite Park, car and two pax 11.65 €/night.
Swimming pool: 2,5 €/pax.
An ice pack at the petrol station: 2,40 €.
Breakfast in Cepo Verde: bulls and infusion 7 € two pax.
Large bread 1,40 €.
Glass of wine 1 euro red douro and beer 1,20 €.
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