The "Côa Valley" Long Distance Trail
(Grande Rota de Vale do Côa (GRCV))
The long distance trail "Coa Valley" starts at the spring of the Côa River and ends at the world-famous Museum Foz Côa, the starting point for the pre-historic rock drawings along the Coa River.
The trail follows the river valley from the spring until the where this river flows into the Douro River. This region of Ease-Portugal near the spanish border is still very original and with very little development.
The trail is marked in both north-south and south-north directions. However, it is recommended to walk from south to north, following the direction of the water. The trail can be walked, bike (mountain-bike) or done on a horse.
There are two areas, at Almeida and Algrodres, where the trail splits into an eastern or a western route.
Below a list of the 11 sectors.
Total length marked: 196 km
Total length including detours due to available accomodation: 224 km
Duration: walking 11 days (between 10 and 15 days), with mountain bike: 3-6 days.
Recommended walking season: late spring and early fall.
Accomodation is often available only at locations provided by the municipality. Sleeping bags are required.
Detailed maps, scale 1:25000, are available for the full trail, including information about accommodation, sights and taxi are available in the online shop:
The track of the full trail is available as gpx file: Download gpx File
| Number WIP | Name | Length (km) |
Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRVC-1 | Côa Quelle (Fóios) - Quadrazais | 25.5 | 6 h | moderate |
| GRVC-2 | Quadrazais - Sabugal | 24.7 | 6 h | difficult |
| GRVC-3 | Sabugal - Rapoula do Côa | 16.7 | 4 h | moderate |
| GRVC-4 | Rapoula do Côa - Vilar Maior | 17.5 | 4 h | moderate |
| GRVC-5 | Vilar Maior - Castelo Mendo | 21.2 | 5 h | moderate |
| GRVC-6 | Castelo Mendo - Vale Verde (West Trail) | 25.7 | 6 h | difficult |
| GRVC-6 | Castelo Mendo - Almeida (East Trail) | 24.6 | 6 h | difficult |
| GRVC-7 | Vale Verde - Quinta Nova (West Trail) | 20.4 | 5 h | moderate |
| GRVC-7 | Almeida - Quinta Nova (East Trail) | 23.9 | 6 h | difficult |
| GRVC-8 | Quinta Nova - Cidadelhe | 25.6 | 7 h | difficult |
| GRVC-9 | Cidadelhe - Algodres | 12.8 | 3 h | moderate |
| GRVC-10 | Algodres - Castelo Melhor (West Trail) | 15.8 | 4 h | moderate |
| GRVC-10 | Algodres - Castelo Melhor (East Trail) | 10.2 | 2 h | moderate |
| GRVC-11 | Castelo Melhor - Museum Felszeichnungen Côa | 11.6 | 4 h | moderate |
