Rio De Moinhos: Cycling Routes, Serra d’Ossa and Heritage

Rio de Moinhos is connected to the Serra d’Ossa and surrounded by the mountain range. Nature, heritage, tranquillity and tradition shape the local landscape. This offers several themes to focus on when planning your trip: cycling routes, hiking trails and historic buildings. Agriculture and agro-industrial production are also part of life in the town; cheese and sausage production shape its economy.

Cycling routes and finding your way on two wheels

The Centro de Cyclin’Portugal de Serra D’Ossa – Rio de Moinhos has changing rooms and sanitary facilities, a bicycle repair and washing station, and tourist information. It is located next to the municipal football pitch. The offer includes five gravel routes and one red BTT-XC route. The route network is listed as covering a total of 213.31 kilometres, of which 25.2 kilometres are signposted. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the total length and the signposted length: the two figures describe different aspects of the offer.

On foot at the foot of the Serra d’Ossa

The Ermida de São Gregório lies at the foot of the Serra d’Ossa and is one of the starting points for visiting the mountain range from Borba. Several cycling routes from the Centro de Cyclin of the Serra d’Ossa pass by the Ermida, as does the “Fantástica Serra d’Ossa” walking trail. This makes it a place where different ways of experiencing the Serra by bike or on foot come together.

“Sextas em Movimento” is also one of Rio de Moinhos’ walking activities. The weekly activity starts on Fridays at 8:45 p.m. at the Junta de Freguesia headquarters. An announcement dated 5 August 2026 gives this weekly schedule; check before your visit that the activity falls within your travel dates.

Churches, monument and local history

The Igreja Paroquial de São Tiago de Rio de Moinhos is classified as a building of public interest (Imóvel de Interesse Público) and dates back to its foundation in the 13th century. It houses eighteen frescoes depicting the life and miracles of Saint James, painted in 1706. The church’s foundation and the creation of the frescoes therefore belong to different historical periods.

The Padrão de Montes Claros is a national monument dating from the 17th century. It stands on the Herdade de Travassos in Rio de Moinhos and commemorates the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Montes Claros, fought in 1665. The Convento de Nossa Senhora da Luz is also among the sights in Rio de Moinhos. The Igreja de São Lourenço is located in Nora, within Rio de Moinhos.

A look at the surrounding area

About two kilometres from Rio de Moinhos lies the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Vitória. Its elevated position offers views of the Serra da Ossa and the region’s marble quarries. The Ermida was built by order of Prince Regent D. Pedro II and dedicated to the souls in purgatory. Its location and history add a nearby viewpoint to the buildings in the town.

Everyday culture and regional character

Cheese and sausage production are an important part of Rio de Moinhos’ economy. Agriculture and agro-industrial production continue to play a central role in local life. The memory of former watermills is also part of the town’s local identity: the mills have almost disappeared, but remain part of the town’s collective memory. Together with the churches, the monument and the routes in the Serra d’Ossa, these aspects show different sides of Rio de Moinhos—from its history to the character of its present-day economy.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Rio de Moinhos, Alandroal, Viana do Alentejo, Arraiolos, Redondo, Vendas Novas, Estremoz, Reguengos De Monsaraz.

Go to the main travel overview: Evora.