Footpath: Ramiscal Trail (More information click here)

 

The Ramiscal trail is a short walking route which goes deeply into Cabreiro, a place in the middle of the mountains, bathed by the Rivers Ramiscal and Cabreiro.

Starting at Vilela Seca, the path leads to Lordelo and Branda do Rodrigo, with an expansive landscape that is historically associated with an invaluable heritage of fauna and flora, especially the great Portuguese-Spanish oak forests and the big herds of cachenas (a local breed of cow) or garranos (small wild horses). This is the territory of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wolves (Canis lupus) and pine martens (Martes martes), their appearance is, however, these days an unusual event.

The landscape is magnificent. One can see the peaks and morphology of the mountains of Peneda and Soajo, whilst a bit further ahead appear the luxurious valleys of Ramiscal and Arroio and on the other river bank one sees Chã da Torre and the hamlets of Avelar and Vilar.  Along the way, it is possible to see an assemblage of small cultivated fields, some with lime, mostly seen on Corga de Mangão, terraces of deep and fertile soil, areas for drying cereals, in Branda do Rodrigo, and a small “várzea” (field near the river, that is flooded from time to time) in Carvalheda. These areas have been the scene of subsistence agriculture since time began.

Traditional habits are still very strong in these communities, as one can see on the night of S. João, when the inhabitants of Lordelo go throughout the village looking for specific plants, that will then be used in traditional medicine and to prepare food.

This track used to be known as the “Way to school”, because the children of Lordelo followed it on foot all the way to the primary school of Vilela Seca. Many locals still remember the journey which gave ample opportunity for games and adventures, but they also recall how hard it was to do all this walking during winter.

From place to place, the sky gets even more extensive. If one is fortunate one might even get a glimpse of the largest Portuguese bird of prey soaring in the skies. The cliffs of Ramiscal provide refuge for the last remaining pair of imperial eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) to be found in the Peneda Gerês National Park.

 

Start Point: Vilela Seca - Parish of Cabreiro

Distance: 7,2 km

Duration of the trail: 4H00

Degree of difficulty: easy

Maximum height atteneid: 640 meters (Branda do Rodrigo)