Tâmega Greenway

The Ecopista do Tâmega reuses the bed of the Tâmega railway line, where trains stopped running in 1990. It runs for about 39 kilometres between the old station of Amarante and Arco de Baúlhe, in Cabeceiras de Basto, passing through Celorico de Basto, and is reserved for walkers and cyclists.

Because it follows a railway alignment the gradient is very gentle, which makes it accessible to most people. The old station of Celorico de Basto, in the town centre, is the hub of the route: it houses an interpretation centre on the history of the line, a shop selling local products, accommodation, bicycle hire and showers.

North of Celorico the path covers 17 kilometres to Arco de Baúlhe station, now home to a railway museum; the stretch before the Matamá bridge, at Veade, gives a wide view over the Tâmega. To the south it is about 22 kilometres to Amarante, through quiet forest, the village of Lourido and deep schist cuttings that open onto the valley.

Railway engineering is part of the experience: the route uses the Gatão tunnel and the Santa Natália, Carvalhas and Barreirinho bridges, with vineyards and farmland below. The former station of Mondim de Basto keeps tile panels depicting the hard life of the region's people. The path can be joined at Amarante, Celorico de Basto or Arco de Baúlhe.