Trilho de São João das Arribas

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The trail of São João das Arribas can be done on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Departing from Miranda do Douro historical center, it goes north by the vicinal way, by the Terronha neighbourhood, until Vale de Águia village. It continues until Aldeia Nova and the chapel of São João das Arribas, overlooking the Douro valley. The return is done by vicinal paths, passing in Aldeia Nova and Pena Branca, that, in the final section, take direction south and follow the Fresno river until arriving at Miranda do Douro. Among the places of interest are the old Cathedral and the walls of Miranda do Douro, as well as the rocky escarpment landscape of the Douro cliffs. It is frequent the see Griffon Vultures and the Egyptian Vulture. The black stork, the Golden Eagle, the Eurasian Eagle-owl, the Red-billed Chough and swifts are other birds that live in cliffs also occur in this area. Along the route the landscape is marked by “lameiros” (semi-natural meadows with a traditional irrigation system), holm oak groves and other oaks and vernacular architecture elements, namely mills, "corriças", “picotas”, fountains and dovecotes. It is possible to see the traditional houses in Vale de Águia and in Aldeia Nova. It passes next to the center of the Associação para o Estudo e Protecção do Gado Asinino dedicated to the mirandês donkey, in Pena Branca, and is bordered by fields where the indigenous races, the mirandês donkey and cow. The castros of Vale de Águia and of São João das Arribas, with a proto-historical occupation, are notable cases of using the Douro cliffs natural defences. The romanized castro of S. João was classified in 1910 as a National Monument.