The best running trails around Gave

Lagoa da Meadinha is a small lagoon located in Peneda-Gerês National Park, in the Meadinha area, very close to the famous granite wall that attracts climbers. It is a natural lagoon with calm waters, formed by the accumulation of water in granite depressions. The landscape is spectacular: large granite boulders, meadows, and views of the Gerês mountain range. It is ideal for photography, wildlife observation, and relaxing on hiking trails.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda, located in northern Portugal: It is located in the parish of Gavieira, municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, within the Peneda-Gerês National Park, about 150 km from Porto. [pt.wikipedia.org], [danielasan...araujo.com] It is built over a cave beneath a granite massif known as Penedo da Meadinha, in a spectacular location bordering a deep valley.

This ancient stone bridge crosses the Ribeira da Varziela near the village of Varziela. Built with large granite blocks and a simple arch, it is a fine example of traditional mountain architecture.

The trail here is rocky and at times not easy to cycle, but you're immersed in greenery amidst the sounds, colors, and scents of nature.

This impressive complex, now reduced mainly to its church, has medieval roots and was originally a Benedictine or Cistercian monastery (its exact origin is debated among historians). Built mainly in Romanesque style in the 12th century, it has undergone significant modifications and additions over the centuries, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries, which have given it Mannerist and Baroque elements. Despite the transformations, it still retains many of its original Romanesque features, such as the four-archivolt portal on the façade and the structure of the choir divided into quadrangular chapels. Classified as a National Monument, the Mosteiro de Fiães is an important example of Portuguese religious architecture and a testimony to its rich monastic history.

The sanctuary was built between the end of the 18th century and the third quarter of the 19th century. The church was completed in 1875.

In the heart of the Serra da Peneda stands a sanctuary where faith and legend intertwine. It is said that in 1220, Our Lady of the Snows appeared to a shepherdess and, since then, the cult grew, attracting pilgrims from Portugal and Galicia. The current church, completed in 1875, crowns a majestic staircase with statues of the virtues.

Varziela is a typical village in the region, where the stone houses defy time and preserve the authenticity of the past. Among the various historic bridges that still stand, the Varziela Bridge stands out as the one that most clearly shows traces of medieval architecture. However, some argue that this bridge is actually a medieval reinterpretation of an older Roman structure, as was the case with other bridges in the region.