Núcleo de Santa Clara-A-Velha

Station CP e Reservoir

19.5 KM

This moderate level course is a real wonder! Its main difficulties are the initial climb (almost 2 km at 7%), a second climb at 5 km (2.3 km at 6%) and the most difficult at 11 km (2.5 km at 8%).It begins by visiting the Espelho d´Água da Barragem leisure area, then heads towards Santa-Clara – Savoy train station, passing behind it. Then the route forks to the East along the Ribeira dos Fitos and then to the North towards Rio Mira.It passes by the D. Maria Bridge, before reaching the culmination of the route after a long climb on the edge of a eucalyptus plantation.Once at the top, the sumptuous panoramas to the reservoir dam are followed by a slightly technical 2 km of climbs and descents.From there onwards it is almost always descending through dense and refreshing native vegetation, until almost at the end where there is a last small climb that leads us to a natural and panoramic viewpoint over the village of Santa Clara-a-Velha.

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Datasheet

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate

TYPE: Anti-clockwise circuit

LENGTH: 19.5 km

DURATION: 1h00 to 2h00

MARKED ROUTE: Yes.

ACCUMULATED LEVEL: 380m

MAX. ALTITUDE: 196m
MIN.ALTITUDE: 45m

TECHNICAL LEVEL: 2 (5)

PHYSICAL LEVEL: 2 (5)

ADVISED SEASON: All year round avoiding temperatures above 30º

Tips

If this route seems too short or easy, consider Red route 33 ‘Sabóia and Reservoir‘ which also passes through the most emblematic parts, adding kilometres and altitude.

At 12 km you can make a detour of about 1 km there and back down to the reservoir dam where there is a small river beach in summer.

Please note that you go up 25 m first before going down 70 m. On the way back it is the reverse, of course, with the aggravating fact that the climb is very hard reaching 30% inclination.

Support Points:
Only on departure and arrival at Santa Clara-a-Velha.

Warnings

The route runs through some streets in the centre of Santa Clara-a-Velha and follows the N266 for a few hundred metres near the train station. The rest of the journey takes place on open roads and lanes, and occasionally you may encounter some car traffic. Caution is recommended.

Part of the route coincides with the Rota Vicentina Circular Routes, so it is very likely that you will encounter hikers.

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Sections in common with routes of the same headtrail

31 Reservoir

33 Sabóia and Reservoir

34 Pereiras-Gare e Reservoir

35 Amoreiras-Gare

36 Short Reservoir Tour

37 Reservoir Tour

Links with other Headtrails

Long Distance MTB Trail– São Teotónio to Santa Clara