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With 930 meters longthe brand new Passadiços do Côa bring together the best of the history and landscape of a region with plenty of reasons to visit, from the imposing landscapes over the Douro, to the wonderful cave paintings, dating back thousands of years.
These walkways make the connection between the Côa Museum and the disused train station, close to the Côa River, but already facing the Douro.
They are 890 steps for one 160 meter dropfrom where you can see a landscape marked by rugged slopes and terraces and countless plant and animal species, some of them protected.
An absolutely overwhelming landscape, the Douro in its harshest purity. You will see that this is an unforgettable tour.
Côa and Douro, World Heritage Sites
The route requires some breath when done uphill (it takes an average time of 45 minutes and is of high difficulty), but the stops allow the contemplation of an extraordinary territory, which brings together the Prehistoric Art of the Côa Valley and the landscape of the Alto Douro Vinhateiro, both classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.
In addition to the famous cave engravings (about 30 thousand years old), you can still observe the traditional dovecotes (of great architectural and ecological importance) or Douro linethe most beautiful railway section in the country and a true engineering marvel.
If you decide to take the fantastic route of these walkways, you should take comfortable clothes and shoes and water, because despite being a relatively short route, it is a hot area and the ascent requires some effort. You should not collect plants or rock samples, let alone litter, fig trees or smoke.
When you arrive, the car park is located on the top floor of the Côa Museumaccess to the walkways is via the lower part of the building (in the area next to the bar-restaurant) or down the outer slope to the left.
Where to stay and where to eat
If you intend to stay for Vila Nova de Foz Coa, there is no shortage of options. In terms of tourist developments, you can choose the Youth hostelthe inn Mirateja Or the Red House. In terms of local accommodation, the Castle HouseThe threshing floor of Fraga or the Best Castle are safe bets.
When hunger strikes, there is no need to be afraid. The probability of entering a random restaurant in the Douro region and eating divinely is extremely high. Thus, around Foz Côa, it is recommended to haltO Farnel Or the Preguiça delicacy.
Côa Archaeological Park: live history
O Côa Valley Archaeological Park opened to the public on August 10, 1996, concentrating a heritage of undeniable historical value. There are about 1200 engraved rocks, in an area of about 200km², where there are more than 80 places with rock art.
The Côa Valley Archaeological Park’s mission is to manage and protect all of its vast heritage. In addition to developing research on the national interest generated, it also has the mission of showing the public rock art.
Patrimony
The artistic manifestations present in the Côa Valley Archaeological Park make it a unique space in the world. There are several moments in history, with some engravings dating back 30,000 years. All gathered in a park and made available to the public.
Having this Park, according to its institutional information, “the most important set of open-air Palaeolithic figures known to date”, it is essential to protect this important heritage and recognize the key role of this discovery (20th century).
Previously, it was argued that cave painting was confined to the subterranean world of caves. However, it is now assumed that these demonstrations were held in the open air. However, in the caves, there were other conditions that allowed cave painting to reach our days.
There are numerous reasons why other testimonies of rock motifs have not come down to us, including time – which subjected the painting to millennia of rain and sun that wore it down -; erosive agents and even human activity itself.
Rock painting
The rupestrian motifs are located both in schist rocks (mostly) and on granite, and in the Archaeological Park of Vale do Côa it is possible to find both engravings and cave paintings.
However, given the quantity of both typologies, it would be more appropriate to emphasize the cave engravings, which are in much greater quantity than the paintings. Another relevant piece of information is that there is no cave art in the Côa Valley.
excellent conditions
Only the Côa Museum is a work of art that deserves a long visit. Designed by Camilo Rebelo and Tiago Pimentel, the space allows an in-depth knowledge of this theme of cave engravings and paintings.
Being one of the largest Portuguese museums, it was inaugurated on July 30, 2010, with its construction beginning in January 2007. The Côa Museu Restaurant offers the rich regional cuisine and also wines from the Douro Superior.
Useful information
O Opening hours of the Côa Museum and Scheduling Visits (MV) to Rock Art Sites has some variants that should be known before carrying out a visit to the space.
- Between the months of October and February, it opens at 9:00 am and closes at 5:30 pm, with the MV obeying the same time.
- From March to May, it opens at 9:30 am and closes at 6:00 pm and the MV has the slight difference of being from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
- From June to September, opening hours are from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm and MV is open from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
closing days
The Côa Park and Museum is closed on the following days:
- January, 1st.
- 1st May.
- December 25th.
- Mondays from November 1st to March 31st.
Note: On Easter Sunday there are no visits to the rock art sites in the Park.
Price
The complete price can be consulted here.
What else can you see in the Côa region
castles
O Best Castle, was erected in the 10th century during the Leonese period. It has an almost circular plan, accompanying the king’s crown planted on a hillock of land.
The monumental Castelo Velho, in addition to being of archaeological interest, is mostly used by visitors as a viewpoint and from here it is possible to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view.
Also discover the primitive Numão Castle, the target of many Moorish attacks and with a rather irregular layout.
morning boat
It was the construction of train connection to spain that boosted morning boatmaking it an important transit center.
With the connection made to Boadilla Station, through La Fregenedain Spain, the Douro Line became an international line, being, at the time, the most direct connection between Porto and the rest of Europe.
The line is disabled and the station remains abandoned. but the landscape is absolutely breathtaking.
Route of the Tunnels
The Route of the Tunnels comprises the route between the Spanish station of Fregeneda and the Portuguese station of Barca d’Alva, in an extension of 17km.
Once in Portuguese territory, it is possible to continue along the Douro River to Pocinho. It is an unforgettable adventure, but one that must be done with great care.
The images of the Côa Walkways featured in this article were kindly provided by the Municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa
