Queirã: PR8 Water Trail, Mining History and Mills

The PR8 Water Trail in Queirã passes historic and technical landmarks and ends at the town’s parish church. Along the way, you will come across a press carved into granite, the Mina da Sega on the Ribamá hillside, and old paths by the Moinhos River. This offers several specific ways to get to know Queirã: its mining history, the former processing of grain, and Castro de Ribamá. If you are looking for hotels in Queirã, you can first consider which of these themes you would like to shape your trip.

The PR8 Water Trail and its landmarks

One special stop along the PR8 Water Trail is the Lagareta da Cruz da Ribeira. This press was carved into a granite outcrop. The stone is therefore not just part of the surroundings; it also forms the setting for this historic piece of equipment. On the Ribamá hillside, the trail passes the Mina da Sega. Here you will find the most prominent traces of mining activity along the water trail. The trail ends at Queirã’s parish church. In this way, the PR8 connects a mining site and examples of craftsmanship with a building that marks the end of the route.

Tungsten mining and grain mills

The history of the Mina da Sega is tied to tungsten mining. The Sega concession was established in 1917 in favor of the New York-based Dias Mining Corporation. Operations continued under different concession holders until the 1960s, and the mine was abandoned in 1968. When you look at the mining traces on the Ribamá hillside, you are encountering a subject with a clear historical timeline: from the establishment of the concession to the end of operations. The mine is where the traces of mining along the PR8 are most visible.

The mills along the Moinhos River reveal another chapter in the use of water for work. The PR8 follows old paths along the river to several watermills. There, local residents processed grain into flour. Together with the Lagareta da Cruz da Ribeira, the mills offer a broader view of how water was used and of traditional work. The press, mills and mine represent different aspects of the local heritage; they also make the water trail appealing to visitors who want to focus on historic traces as well as walking.

Castro de Ribamá and the boardwalks

Castro de Ribamá is considered one of the oldest signs of human presence in this area. The Passadiços do Castro de Ribamá are part of a walking route about two kilometres long. As part of the project, they were made accessible to visitors, researchers, families and future generations. The combination of a site considered particularly ancient and a specific walking route gives this subject its own place alongside the stops on the PR8 Water Trail. Check the latest visitor information before your visit if you would like to include the boardwalks in your plans.

Regional cuisine

The Feira da Vitela de Lafões is also part of the picture of Queirã. It is a food event focused on a product of importance to the region. Its 24th edition was announced for 13–15 June 2025 in Giesteira, in the parish of Queirã. This time-specific detail adds a food-related aspect to the themes of mining and mills and shows another facet of regional life. It refers to the edition announced for 2025.

Choosing Queirã for your hotel search

Queirã offers several distinct interests to help you choose a destination: the PR8 Water Trail, with its mine, press, mills and parish church, or Castro de Ribamá and its boardwalks. The historical details about the Sega concession give the mining theme a specific timeframe, while the mills on the Moinhos River point to the processing of grain. Before searching for a hotel in Queirã, consider which of these themes matters most to your stay. This will help you focus your search on what you would like to discover in the area.

Discover more destinations: Fataunços, São Miguel Do Mato, Vouzela, Figueiredo Das Donas, Campia.

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