Trails
Caminho Real Boaventura
The old royal road from Arco de São Jorge to São Cristóvão
The place
This stretch of the old Caminho Real, the royal road that once linked the villages of the north coast, runs from Arco de São Jorge to São Cristóvão in Boaventura. It starts by the Arco restaurant on the ER 211, drops into the valley of the Ribeira do Porco and rises a little on the far side to the São Cristóvão viewpoint, with a restaurant and picnic tables at the end.
Much of the 1.8 km is still paved with old setts, about 1.5 m wide, and one section, the Caminho da Entrosa, is cut into the cliff above the valley. Near the São Cristóvão end a short path leads to the ruins of an old sugar mill: Arco de São Jorge is one of the most fertile parishes of the north and was known for its sugar cane. The walk takes about an hour each way, and the climb back up to Arco is about 200 m.
Highlights
- Old setts underfoot for much of the way, on a path about 1.5 m wide.
- The Caminho da Entrosa, cut into the cliff above the Ribeira do Porco valley.
- Ruins of an old sugar mill just off the path.
- The São Cristóvão viewpoint, restaurant and picnic tables at the Boaventura end.
When to come
Any dry day, as the setts are slippery when wet; with a restaurant at each end it suits a walk before or after lunch.
Getting there
Start at the Arco restaurant on the ER 211 at Arco de São Jorge, with bus stops close by, or at São Cristóvão, which has a small car park.
Worth knowing
- Distance and time: about 1.8 km one way, about an hour.
- Climb: about 200 m on the way back up from the valley to Arco de São Jorge.
- Difficulty: moderate; steep in places, with drops beside the cliff section.
- Surface: old setts and earth, slippery after rain.
- Food: a restaurant at each end, by the ER 211 in Arco and at São Cristóvão.
- Fee: none; this is not an official PR trail.