Ascent to Senhora da Serra - Marão

On this hike, we recreate one of the routes of the pilgrimage to the chapel of Our Lady of Marão, considered the highest pilgrimage in our country.

We begin in the small village of Soutelo and, along small, almost forgotten trails, we climb through forests and terraces once used for agricultural purposes.

We arrive at the small town of Póvoa da Serra, the last inhabited place we will pass on this hike, a small village facing east and resistant to the passage of time.

We continue our ascent, initially still surrounded by pine forests and some oak and chestnut trees. Little by little, the forests give way to rocks, and heather and gorse take over the little available soil.

The reward for this long climb is the chapel of Our Lady of the Serra and the views we will have from the top of Marão. At 1416 meters hight, we can see the Alvão mountain range, the city of Vila Real, the Douro River valley, and, if we have a clear day, the waters of the sea shimmer to the west.

After a break to regain our strength and satisfy our hunger, we resumed our journey, descending the eastern slope of this mountain range, always with beautiful mountain scenery.