2. Ash de Espada à Cinta
is located in Trás-os-
Montes, in Parque Natural
do Douro Internacional,
and while it borders with
neighboring Spain. The
town of Ash press the
beauty of its breathtaking
horizons, and also a county
of contrasts, where the
rocks contrast with the
Planalto.
LOCATION
3. It's easy to get to Ash
de Espada à Cinta. The
existing road network
Portuguese, shortened
distances so that the
village is not Manuelina nor
far nor near. Is right
there. Next to a paradise
called Douro!
5. (Road Candedo)
The steep slopes of the Ribeira Monastery
privileged form a balcony with views of the
geological formation of the "syncline of
Poiares," a valuable collection of geological
heritage of the county. It is in this place of
rare beauty that lies this attractive viewpoint,
whose access is by foot or by car on the
highway Candedo (+ / - 5 km.)
6. Uploaded on slopes of steep hills,
this place is a paradise for any geologist
since you can observe the geological
profiles of these hills showing twists
and turns as sound waves that travel
through the rocks. Shales and quartzites
are laminated, bent, strangled,
aggressive and wild, but at the same
time static, docile, tamed and absorbed,
giving the visitor a scenario where
suddenly feel overwhelmed by the
spectacle of these geological
disturbances, whose throats so deep
and narrow, so grand and majestic make
us feel how insignificant we are against
the designs of mother nature, making
this site one of the most interesting
viewpoints of the county.
7. (Sierra de Poiares)
It is the oldest tourist viewpoint of the
county, rich with wonderful panoramic view
points along the river Douro to Lagoaça heights,
becoming an almost mandatory visit.
The escarpment drops almost perpendicularly
on the Douro, on precisely the point where it
ends the navigability of the river, called the
"Saltinho" in which lies the hydroelectric dam
that Saucelle Penedo Durão in sight as well as if
the observer were suspended in a cable.
8. This site collects is a magnificent view encompassing
the plateau undefined vastness of Salamanca and
Zamora, as well as the rock cuttings that extend to
Barca de Alva, providing a suitable shelter for vast
fields of olive trees, almond trees, orchards and
vineyards.
Below, at the base of the deep slope winds to EN 221
which connects to Ash Espada à Cinta Barca de Alva.
Around the cyclopean fraguedos gravitate in its
majestic serenity with soaring eagles, which here
make their inaccessible hiding places of rest and
procreation.
9. (Mazouco)
On a terrace overlooking the village is located Mazouco this beautiful
gazebo, a transition zone between the granitic terrain and steep
ravines, where the Douro River over thousands of years has carved its
bed tortuous, and the gentle slopes and schist, prime locations to
produce the nectar of the Douro.
Closer to the river one can see that orange and olive trees lose sight
whereas in areas with greater slope and more difficult to access the
executioners and junipers form leafy forests serving as refuge for
foxes, boars and even more rarely to Roebuck. Hovering overhead, on
high, can appreciate the hours of soaring vulture from Egypt and
Griffin, while we try to guess their nesting places in virtually
inaccessible cliffs overlooking the River. The Stork - Black, Eagle -
real, Eagle sidewalk and Kite – Black also have a regular presence on
this site.
10. This interesting viewpoint there is
also the pretty village of Mazouco
that as an important archaeological,
historical and ethnographic deserves
a careful visit....
11. (Oven)
This site all nature wonder and delight us with a unique
and unparalleled landscape. The space seems to remain a
virgin and wild almost untouched by human hand is enjoying
a magnificent view over a wide valley, whose slopes are
covered with native vegetation still reflecting a freephone
in the Douro and loaded, standing out among all the bushes
lotus, which in these parts form the most extensive
staining of the entire Iberian Peninsula.
Involving the landscape around us we can still
experience the river in the Spanish town of Mieza
here almost at hand and an ultra defensive position lies
the fort of Lagoaça, olive groves and orange trees
distributed in terraced slopes, while glimpse at the large
number of plain granite buildings known as "trolls" to save
the goats.
12. It is not uncommon to glimpse the
silhouette of this lofty vantage point of
the Eagle real, the largest predator winged
across Europe, which is only possible by the
abundance and inaccessibility of the rocky
outcrops of the Duero cliffs that give the
species protection and tranquility
necessary for the nesting period. The
Britango is another bird of prey often
observed between March and August
because it is a migratory bird which travels
to Africa during the winter months. This
species of vulture is closely linked to
grazing, since their feeding is supported
mainly by dead animals, usually sheep and
goats, who for one reason or another are
abandoned by the shepherds in the fields.
13. (Lagoaça)
This viewpoint, strategically located in front of
the Castilian plateau which trumpets the village
of Aldeadavilla that gives the name of the huge
dam that was built here, has a landscape deeply
transmontana. On a steep incline, the Douro
valley presents its indomitable and cliffs which
features the epic human labor Montes, were
transformed into small gardens with olive, divided
by terraces far reaches our eyes, conveying a
sense of our respect for the contemplative
nature.
14. Down below, at bottom, the once wild river
Douro resembles a tranquil reflecting pool, turning
gently to the south and reflecting the shadows of
large soaring birds in this place have their habitats.
This is the case of the Eagle - real, Stork - black,
of
the Egyptian vulture and especially Griffin, locally
called abutardo, whose wingspan of 2.30 m is
vigilant presence in the heavens and ravines of this
whole thing Douro....
16. Located just minutes from the urban center, a Congo
is an excellent place where you can enjoy pleasant
moments of leisure.
The beach of the river Congo was recently upgraded
as part of a proposed reclassification. Result of these
improvements, visitors and tourists has more and better
support facilities and leisure activities, including a bar
with a terrace suspended over the River Douro, a river
pool and playground.
17. For those who want to feed their taste for
sport fishing, it is recommended that you
remember the necessary paraphernalia, as
bogas, scales, barbel and carp are some of the
species which can be found along the lake caused
by the huge dam Saucelle.
Embedded in the terraced landscape, facing
the river and river beach, are the House
International Douro, 10 rustic houses, Bungalows
T1, with capacity for 4 people. The resort also
boasts a swimming pool, open only during the
bathing season.
18. The tourist complex of Congo has also a
river wharf from where every day,
leaving for a dream trip by Arribas
do Douro, a panoramic boat. The
Company Congada border-La Barca,
involving the City of Ash Espada à
Cinta and Ayuntamento of Vilvestre,
organizes trips in the Douro during
the whole year.
