Camino Portugués: Stage 18

You will have to get again to the medieval bridge to start today’s stage, you will have to cross it towards the pilgrim’s hostel where you have to turn right. After a few meters through asphalted road you will walk through vineyards, very typical from this area. Before getting to your first stop you will cross being careful the EN-306 towards Quintana de Sabadão to walk next to the Labruja river, you will cross this river many time a little bit after. You will leave behind Quinta through a path that will lead you to a viaduct in the IP9, then you will get to Arcozelo that belongs to Ponte de Lima. This village is famous due to its Igreja de Santa Marinha de arcocelo church and also due to Casa do Outeiro that is from the 16 century. A little bit after you will get to regatal Costa and you will cross the river to continue through a path that will lead you to Parque de Pescas Riba Rio park, a perfect place to rest for a while. You will continue on another path and after crossing again the river you will walk to Arco where you will see a small hermitage devoted to Nossa Senhora das Neves and also its stone cross. It is an important highlight that this is the last village where you will be able to buy some snacks.

Now you will walk through an asphalted road and you will cross the Fonte das Tres Bicas fountain; there are lots of legends and stories related to this fountain. You will also go through Balada and Espinheiros, here you will enjoy the wonderful landscape of Labruja. Tras pararnos y refrescarnos en uno de los tres chorros de la fuente, donde también paraban ya en el siglo XIX las diligencias que pasaban por Leiria, afrontamos la parte más dura de la etapa: la subida al Alto de Portela. Now you will start the hardest part of today’s stage, you will have to walk up a little bit to get to the Cruz dos Mortos cross, devoted to all the French soldiers that died in the Peninsula. Now you will have to descend. In this part of the stage you will walk among pine trees, you will get to Aqualonga and you will see its church devoted to São Paio. A little bit after you will find again the national road N-201, and after crossing a hermitage you will have to turn right. The way enters now in a roman road and goes through Monte da Costa meadow. This path will lead you to the Igreja de São Pedro de Rubiães church that is from the 13 century. On its main gate, you can see its capitals, known for having animal figures. There are also remarkable medieval tombs. You just have to walk 400 meters from the hostel to see this wonderful church that was declared National Heritage in the 90’s.

Rubiães belongs to Paredes de Coura. There are not many people living here, but there are lots of monuments such as its church devoted to Saint Peter, a medieval bridge and some chapels.

Bear in mind

This is the hardest stage in the Portuguese Way due to Alto da Portela. In some parts, cyclists should walk to get to the top of the mountain pass. There is another option that is pedaling through the M-522 and then through the N-201.

People with reduced mobility could also the same as cyclists because this stage is hard for them too.