Lovers' Viewpoint – Castle of Melgaço loop from Sela

Lovers' Viewpoint – Castle of Melgaço loop from Sela

Moderate

riders

Lovers' Viewpoint – Castle of Melgaço loop from Sela

02:39

54.9km

710m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 15.2 km for 123 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

14.1 km

The original fortress was built almost a thousand years ago, back in the 10th or perhaps the 11th. The original wall that surrounds the castle dates from the 12th century and its main purpose was to defend the town from the constant attacks of the then Lusitanians (An Indo-European people living in the west of the Iberian Peninsula prior to its conquest by the Roman Republic and the subsequent incorporation of the territory into the Roman province of Lusitania.). In the 17th century, in the conflict of the Portuguese war of independence, it was completely renovated giving it its current appearance, although many defensive structures have disappeared over time. The plan of the fortress is rectangular and has no more and no less than 9,700 m2.

Very few years ago, the only way to cross the river and go to the neighboring country was by using the ferry that joined the two banks aided by a large metallic cable that made sure that the barge was not dragged by the waters of the river. The docks and the old border customs are still preserved.

A Good Reference:
galiciamaxica.eu/galicia/pontevedra/comarca-do-condado/salvaterra-do-mino/fortaleza-de-salvaterra

Tip by

17.5 km

Porta de Salvaterra, Monção Fortress

Highlight • Historical Site

17.7 km

Start of Monção-Melgaço Granfondo

Highlight • Rest Area

Starting point of the Monçao-Melgaço Gran Fondo, which takes place in September.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

41.4 km

Adega Sabino

Highlight • Restaurant

Local wines, a small but nice outdoor seating area (call ahead +351 251 404 576) The Cabrito do Monte (serves two) that is fabulous! If you do call, you may want to reseve the dish, they only make so many due to oven space and they go fast.

Tip by

41.7 km

Melgaço Castle

Highlight • Castle

Starting point of the Monção-Melgaço Gran Fondo 2023.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

41.9 km

Castle of Melgaço

Highlight • Castle

There are good stops along the route for a coffee and Melgaço has a really cool old town featuring a tower, open to the public.
The castle is the most prominent structure in town and is at the center of the old town. Open to the public the tower offer great views of town and the surrounding area. Its worth spending some time here as the old town, while small is quite picturesque. Another bonus is the restaurants in the area. Adega Sabino has a Cabrito de Monte that is fabulous!

Wikipedia:
The construction of the castle dates back to 1170 by order of the first King of Portugal Afonso Henriques (1112–1185). He granted a Foral charter to the town at the same time, encouraging the development of the town.

Afonso III (1248–1279) granted to the village in 1258 a second Foral Charter, promising privileges to the town.

In 1361 the traffic between Portugal and Galicia was required to pass through Melgaço demonstrating its importance at the time.

Tip by

54.9 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types