Attractions and Places To See around Rio Frio - Top 20

The ascent of Serra da Labruja is, for many, the greatest challenge of the Central Portuguese Way to Santiago, and also one of its most memorable moments. It's a steep climb of over 400 meters along rustic trails, where nature follows its own rhythm. But every step is worth it. The mountain range, shrouded in mystery and wild beauty, holds an unforgettable gift at its summit: a breathtaking landscape, where the horizon opens up in every direction.

Easy to access and hard to forget: this river beach is a true summer getaway. The river's incredibly clear, cool waters invite long swims and moments of peace. There's plenty of room to spread out your towel, whether on the grass or sand, in the sun or in the shade of the trees. The riverbed is sandy and smooth, with almost no rocks, ideal for relaxing without a care in the world.

Many people leave behind mementos. It's really very nice.

The stones piled up here at the base of the wayside cross are reminiscent of the “CRUZ de FERRO” (iron cross) – very well known among pilgrims – on Monte Irago on the “Camino Frances” (in Astorga, Leon province, Spain). Many pilgrims who walk the Way of St. James take a stone with them and place it there. Such a stone symbolizes the burdens and needs of the pilgrims (or their family members and friends at home), who symbolically cast off their worries at this point with the stone and can thus move on free of them. The CRUZ DE FERRO is available on komoot as a hiking highlight here: + https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/143518

Did this route in summer 2014 and found it easy. Almost all is flat, except very small sections.

In the heart of the Serra da Labruja, in what is considered one of the most difficult sections of the Portuguese Way of St. James (central), a nineteenth-century Latin cross stands out in the landscape, built by locals, recalling the battle between soldiers of the Portuguese army's ordinance, supported by the local population, against a group of stragglers from the Napoleonic troops, an episode that occurred in the context of the invasion of 1809 and the capture of Ponte de Lima by the French.

In the middle of Serra da Labruja, in what is considered one of the most difficult sections of the Portuguese Way to Santiago (central), a 19th century Latin cross stands in the landscape, built by people, recalling the battle between the orderly soldiers of the Portuguese army, supported by the local population, faced with a group of stragglers from Napoleonic troops, an episode that occurred in the context of the 1809 invasion and the capture of Ponte de Lima by the French.

The tour is classified by Komoot as “easy” and for beginners without special fitness or skills. That is certainly not appropriate. The route is very hilly with some short but steep climbs and descents at around 15 - 20%, partly on soft sand and gravel, which is difficult or impossible to manage with touring bike tires (push!), especially after rain. But it is a very beautiful route that is worth the effort!