Trilho « Balsamao « Itinerante

Trail: Balsamão

Around the Balsamão Monastery

Located in northeastern Trás-os-Montes, on top of a hill, the Balsamão monastery is a wonderful place to start and finish our walk. In fact, the place where the monastery stands is an authentic belvedere over the whole region, including the Morais mountains.
The trail starts at an altitude of around 500 m. We make our way down the slope to the Azibo river, then walk along the other slope until we reach the ancient Abelheira thermal springs. From there we head towards the village of Lombo, but make a detour in order to reach the Azibo river again, at a place where we can still see the rocks that were laid there by order of King D. Diniz so that people could cross the river on foot. We walk along the banks of the river up to the Roman bridge, after which we climb the final ascent that leads to the monastery.
It is a trail of great geological and vegetal richness, with an abundance of species among which holm-oaks, cork-trees, olive-trees, poplars, alders, strawberry-trees, black rockroses and broom plants stand out.

Points of Interest (POIs)

Balsamão

Located in the Balsamão property on top of a hill with superb views over the whole region and the Azibo River on the east side, the Balsamão monastery belongs to the Congregation of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception.
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AZIBO RIVER

The Azibo River starts in Serra da Nogueira, Bragança municipality. This 50 km river flows through the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros and into the Sabor River.
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ABELHEIRA SPA

Located in the vicinity of the Balsamão monastery and belonging to the Congregation of the Marian Fathers, the Abelheira springs were discovered around 1860.
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