Camino Portugués: Stage 19

You will start today’s stage through the N-201, just for 200 metres, because then you will have to cross Rubiães bridge over the Coura river. Then you will have to turn left once you get to a bar, to continue parallel to the river for a while. Then you will continue through the national road. You will see an arrow that will indicate you that you have to turn right through a path to Pence where you will see some houses from the 17 century and also the Capela de Nossa Senhora do Alivio chapel. Once you get to a crossing you will have to continue straight forward to get to the Santuario de São Bento da Porta Aberta sanctuary from the 19 century. It is worth it to stop and see its tile panels, portraying episodes of Saint Bento’s life. You will leave this sanctuary at the left and you will enter into a path full of trees and then you will walk through some asphalted roads to Gontomil. Before getting to Fontoura you will have to turn right into a path and then through an asphalted road to get to this village where you can visit the Igreja de São Miguel church.

You will walk through some paths and asphalted road towards Paços, the next stop. You will get there through a bridge called A Pedreira. You will leave nature, this means that Valença do Minho is near. Once you get to a roundabout in the EN-13 the yellow arrow will indicate you to walk through a road with less traffic, crossing the Capela do Senhor do Bonfim chapel, then you will have to turn left through a path that will lead you to the Igreja Matriz de Ariz church. You are now in Valença. You will have to cross the Avenida de São Teotónio avenue to get to the famous fortress. The way does not enter the fortress but we recommend you visit it entering through Portas da Coroada., to leave the fortress you could cross a bridge over the Minho river. After crossing a gas station you will have to turn right. This path will lead you to Tui. and has Romanesque and Gothic styles. It was built in the 12 century Its awesome main gate next to the cloister will not disappoint you. There are other monuments apart from the amazing cathedral. All of them are worth a visit.

Bear in mind

You don’t have to walk a lot, so you can visit many things in Valença do Minho and Tui. Se trata de una etapa sin demasiados desniveles ni zonas conflictivas, encontrando servicios variados a lo largo de la misma. This is an easy stage for everyone.