Stage 730.5 km · up 630 mHard

Alvaiázere to Rabaçal

Distance
30.5 km
Walking time
6-9 hours
Ascent
630 m
Descent
740 m
High point
486 m
Difficulty
Hard

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About this stage

Alvaiázere to Rabaçal · 30.5 km · up 630 m, down 740 m

Another demanding day through the limestone hills, crossing from Alvaiazere through Ansiao and a succession of small villages to Rabacal. The route passes through Laranjeiras, Venda do Negro, and Casal Soeiro before reaching Ansiao, the main midway service town with cafes, a pharmacy, and shops.

After Ansiao, the path crosses the Ponte da Cal bridge over the Nabao River, where a bathing tank with stone benches known as the 'holy baths' is associated with the legend that Queen Elizabeth of Portugal (D. Isabel de Aragao) bathed here during her pilgrimage. A route variant passes through Santiago da Guarda, where the parish church is dedicated to the Apostle Saint James and the fortified Palace of Vasconcelos, built on a Roman villa with mosaics, features a heraldic scallop shell inside. The path continues through eucalyptus forests and between stone walls to Alvorge and on to Rabacal.

Rabacal is a tiny village famous across Portugal for its artisanal goat and sheep cheese (Queijo de Rabacal), which has Protected Designation of Origin status. Accommodation options are very limited, so booking ahead is strongly recommended.

Terrain: Hilly forest trails, limestone paths, rural roads, some steep descents

Along the route8 towns and 0 highlights on 30.5 km

The day, stop by stop

  1. 0km

    A small hilltop town in central Portugal with a private albergue and panoramic views over the surrounding hills. Marks the transition from the Ribatejo plains into hillier limestone terrain.

    View town guide
    Restaurant
    Cafe
    Grocery
    Pharmacy
    ATM
    Bus
    Clinic
    Post Office
  2. 3.4km
  3. 6.6km
  4. 12.8km

    A small town between Alvaiazere and Rabacal with cafes, shops, and basic services. A useful stopping point on the long walk through central Portugal's hilly interior.

    View town guide
    Restaurant
    Cafe
    Grocery
    Pharmacy
    ATM
    Bus
    Clinic
    Post Office
  5. 14.4km
  6. 22.4km
  7. 27.5km
  8. 30.4km

    Rabaçal

    village

    A small village in central Portugal known for its traditional Rabacal cheese. Has a private albergue and is near the important Roman ruins of Conimbriga.

    View town guide
    Restaurant
    Cafe
Where to stay

Places to stay along this stage

Koala Picks first, then each town in walking order. Where a place does not book online, walk in, call or message them.

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