Pincães: Murals, Olive Oil History and a Waterfall

When you choose Pincães as your destination, cultural landmarks of the mountain community meet a strong focus on the landscape. The Caminho Cultural de Cabril brings local history, working traditions and folk culture together in murals; around the village lies a relatively well-preserved native oak forest, and the river forms the waterfall in a relatively deep gorge. If you are looking for a hotel in Pincães, the following themes can help you tailor your trip to your interests.

Murals and landmarks of the mountain community

The Caminho Cultural de Cabril is a mural route initiated by the Junta de Freguesia de Cabril. The murals were created in 2021 and depict local history, working traditions and folk culture. One of the motifs at the Pincães stop is a Silha dos Ursos: a traditional, usually circular stone structure in which beehives were protected from bears. This brings a traditional structure to life as a mural motif, while the route also explores work and folk culture. Check the route’s condition locally before planning your visit.

Relatively little-altered groups of traditional buildings associated with the culture of the local mountain community have been preserved in Pincães. The Chapel of Pincães was commissioned by Paulino José da Costa, who was born there and was known as “brasileiro da Costa.” This brings both the building culture and a specific person from the village’s history to the fore. The Fojo de Pincães is located at Alto do Sobreiro and was recently restored.

Olive oil and community tradition

The main mechanisms have been preserved at the Lagar de Pincães, a former community olive press. After its restoration, local residents bring back memories of the press and show the traditional production of olive oil, especially to younger people. The olive harvest and processing traditionally took place in December and January. The history of the press can thus be understood from several perspectives: its preserved mechanisms point to the technical side of the work, while shared memories and passing knowledge on to younger people show its communal character.

Oak forest, gorge and waterfall

The native oak forest around Pincães is relatively well preserved. On its way to the Cávado, the Pincães River forms the Pincães Waterfall on a granite slope in a relatively deep gorge. If you want to reach the waterfall on foot, take the path from the village. Caution is required because of the risk of falling. Check access information again before setting out, especially after heavy rain.

Plan hiking routes to suit your trip

Stage 15 of the GR50 runs between Fafião and Cabril via Pincães and covers a little over 8 kilometres through a rural mountain landscape. Check the route alignment before setting out, as marked routes may change. The path to the waterfall leads from Pincães to a single natural attraction; the GR50 stage, by contrast, has two named endpoints and a stated total distance. This distinction can help you tailor your hiking plans to the activity you want.

Discover more destinations: Sidros, Mourilhe, Paradela, Montalegre, Pitões Das Junias, Antigo de Arcos, Negrões, Venda Nova.

Return to the main travel overview: Montalegre.