Cabeço de Vide - Alter do Chão

Today's stage is only apparently "shorter" and easier, but will be about 13 km by rougher terrains. Neither will we have any supply point, with the exception of water and toilet available in Alter Pedroso. However, it is a course with other natural nuances. We eat and sleep in Termas da Súlfurea hotsprings, at the exit of which we cross the road and turn to the left, in an asphalted street, deviating again to the left, on a dirt track.

We cross a gate that gives us access to the domains of Monte das Ferrarias estate and, straight ahead, we arrive to its facilities. We cross through the middle without reacting to some dogs and, shortly after, we leave the estate and enter the municipality of Alter do Chão. After a kilometre of stone pine forest, we turn right into a cereal field, in which the Path is barely defined. At the end, a wicket door allows us to access the next terrain and, leaning against the fence, we turn left until we cross an insignificant stream. We are walking through a scattered cork and holm oak forest, when dozens of cattle slowly move in front of us. We know they are meek... except when the females feel their young at risk! Walking slowly, in silence and without sudden gestures is the correct posture. And, if a more curious calf comes to us, we must stop until the audacity passes. The Path now crosses a plain where we are forced to wait for the herd to let us continue, and then we go up the hill to the farm’s private road, which we cross. After passing the gate through a side wicket door, we leave the property directly to the centre of this quiet village, through Rua do Forno. We pass the church, but can't leave the village through Estrada da Fonte road without first going up to the old castle and chapel ruins. We discover the geodesic landmark and climb, according to the sign indicating "miradouro" (viewpoint). With Alter Pedroso on our back, we start the descent through the asphalt of Estrada da Fonte but, as soon as the indicator sign is presented, we turn right to the "anta" (dolmen) of Alter Pedroso. Further on, we find the prehistoric dolmen, the hill ruins and a left-hand gate on the fence, which gives access to the road that passes on the northside of Monte dos Tapadões. Just over one kilometer more to the village, where we enter by the road next to the cemetery.