Fornos: Hiking Trail, Churches and Ponte dos Três Arcos

Fornos offers a range of ways to explore the area during your stay: the Trilho das Três Pontes circular trail, two churches with their own architectural histories, and Ponte dos Três Arcos on the Rio Boco. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish the requirements of the hiking trail from the conditions at the bridge. Historical information about Igreja de São Salvador de Fornos and Feira à Moda Antiga also offers insight into different aspects of the area.

Hiking and historic routes

The Trilho das Três Pontes can be used for walking, running or mountain biking. The circular trail starts and ends at Largo da Igreja Matriz de Fornos. It is not marked on site and can only be followed on foot or by bike with the help of a GPS track. Make the track an essential part of your preparation, and do not rely on trail markers for navigation.

The historic route associated with Ponte dos Três Arcos is a separate matter: an itinerary connects Mosteirô and Fornos with Castelo da Feira and is traditionally called “Caminho da Rainha.” The name refers to this historic route, not to a currently marked hiking trail. If you are interested in the historic route name, do not confuse it with the route or markings of the Trilho das Três Pontes.

Churches and architectural history

Igreja de São Salvador de Fornos traces its origins to the establishment of a medieval parish; the present building dates from the 16th century. The church was completely remodeled in the 20th century. Changes included a covering of azulejos and a new Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. At the same time, elements of the older church remain: its structure, the Capialço windows, the bell tower with cannon gargoyles, a niche for liturgical objects, and several relief panels from earlier altarpieces. Its architectural history therefore spans the medieval parish foundation, the 16th-century building and the 20th-century remodeling.

Igreja Santo António da Lage offers a different historical perspective. The chapel was built in the 18th century by a local family; a coat of arms is set above the main portal. Its rectangular plan comprises a nave and a sacristy. Visitors interested in religious architecture can compare its construction date, floor plan and portal with the layered architectural history of Igreja de São Salvador.

Ponte dos Três Arcos and access

Ponte dos Três Arcos crosses the Rio Boco in a wooded area and has three load-bearing granite arches. The access routes are also relevant to a visit: they are unpaved, with some deep ruts formed by rainwater runoff. Take this surface into account when planning. The information about access to the bridge describes a different visiting condition from the GPS track required for the Trilho das Três Pontes.

Feira à Moda Antiga

Feira à Moda Antiga recreates a market from the early 20th century. For the 2024 edition, the venue was Largo Padre José Alves de Pinho, next to Igreja Matriz de Fornos. This edition was organized by Junta de Freguesia de Fornos with the support of local residents. If you plan to include an edition in your trip, check its date and venue separately: the location given here is for 2024, and venues may differ in subsequent years.

For a trip focused on hiking, the key points are that the Trilho is unmarked and requires a GPS track. If you are interested in architectural history, the two churches offer different historical periods and architectural details. And if you plan to visit Ponte dos Três Arcos, take note of the unpaved access routes. This way, you can give each topic the attention you want during your stay in Fornos without confusing historic route names, the hiking trail and access to the bridge.

Discover more destinations: Sanfins, Milheirós de Poiares, Caldas de São Jorge, Lourosa, Argoncilhe, Santa Maria De Feira, São João De Vêr, Sanguedo

For the broader travel overview: Santa Maria Da Feira.