Friões: Landscape, Hiking Trail and Cultural Heritage

Friões lies on the right bank of the Rio Torto, a tributary of the Rio Rabaçal. Its landscape, the Vias Augustas XVII hiking trail, and archaeological and architectural remains give the destination several distinct points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel in Friões, these features can help you choose a place that suits your travel interests.

The Rio and Serra de Friões

The Serra de Friões reaches a maximum elevation of 916 metres. Together with its riverside location, this gives the area two distinct landscape features: the Rio Torto, a tributary of the Rio Rabaçal, and the Serra ridge. If you compare destinations by their landscapes, you can situate Friões in terms of both its riverside setting and elevation.

Vias Augustas XVII Hiking Trail

The Vias Augustas XVII hiking trail passes through Friões, including through Mosteiró de Cima and Barracão. It is certified in accordance with the standards of the Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal and signposted along its entire length, making it possible to navigate the whole route. Certification and signposting describe two different aspects of the trail: the first concerns the federation’s standards, while the second concerns navigation along the route. The trail also includes Roman paved roads and bridges. Vias Augustas XVII thus combines hiking with architectural remains from Roman times. Those interested in both topics can experience them along the same described route.

Archaeological Sites

Alto da Cividade is a fortified settlement surrounded by two rows of walls, which reach a thickness of about three metres. Remains of circular and rectangular structures have been preserved on the inner platforms. This makes it possible to distinguish the outer fortifications from the different building forms inside as two aspects of the site. Outside the fortified settlement is a press carved into the rock.

Two other archaeological sites in Friões are Castelo dos Mouros/Alto dos Castelos and Gravuras Rupestres da Cerca de Vila Nova – Painel A e B. The name of the second site refers to rock carvings and panels A and B.

Architectural and Historical Connections

Casa Medeiros is classified as a property of municipal interest (IM) and is undergoing a classification procedure (EVC); this is based on a municipal resolution dated 31 January 2005. The Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição is a Baroque chapel in an enclosed, landscaped area. The parish of São Pedro de Friões was already established at the time of the Inquirições of 1258.

These details represent different historical perspectives: 1258 relates to the history of the already established parish, 2005 to the municipal resolution concerning Casa Medeiros, while “Baroque” describes the chapel’s style. The dates, municipal status, and architecture can therefore be considered as separate points of reference in the area’s history.

Discover more destinations: Santa Maria De Emeres, Vilaranda Boa, Fornos do Pinhal, Vales

For the wider travel overview: Valpaços.