Nisa - Vila Velha de Ródão (Center)

We prepare to fill the canteens in Praça da República square, when we notice a nearby panel that describes the unusual group of fountains existing in Nisa. We take advantage of the dawn of the day and go through the Roteiro das Fontes (Fountains Route), in which stands out the Fonte da Pipa, from 1706, still intact in its original place and below the ground level.

We leave Nisa through Praça do Município square, crossing the arch underneath the building and, after the Museu do Bordado e do Barro (Embroidery and Clay Museum), we continue in front of the municipal road M526, towards Senhora da Graça sanctuary. It’s not easy to get lost in the Path, with so many arrows and signs guiding us. We walk a little more than 3 km and pass by a wayside cross, allegedly erected at the entrance to the place where Nisa Velha(Old Nisa) was originally located. The Path continues to the left, but here we suggest a 500 m detour to the Ermida da Senhora da Graça chapel, where there used to be a temple of the Order of the Knights Templar. We take the opportunity to relax with the magnificent view from the Cabecinho viewpoint, which allows us to see the mountain ranges of S. Mamede and Estrela, the highest point in mainland Portugal. We return to the trail and change the asphalt for green hills and fields. After 2.6 km, we find Porto das Carretas, a cement pier that replaces old stone colts, where we cross the Nisa stream, if the water level allows it...

After this "walk", we return to the road to find the village of Pé da Serra. At the foot of S. Miguel mountain range, this village stands out for its white houses and peacefulness, where all the more "experienced" inhabitants have a tradition of wearing berets that "work both for the sun and the rain". We take this opportunity to rest for a while, as this is the only village and point of support in all of today's stage! We continue on dirt roads along the mountain range, between the holm oaks and pine trees, which thickens with the height. We walk easily, without steep slopes, always through the valley of S. Miguel mountain range. On the other side, in the old Roman gold skyopen mine of Conhal do Arneiro, the Romans used to collect gold using the erosive force of water.

Between olive trees, we now see a picturesque and unique landscape. It covers 60 hectares of white, pink and grey, in the form of round stones of various sizes. About 7 km later, already on a progressive ascent, we cross the N18 national road and climb to the top of the mountain range. We come across the Tejo surrounding the Talhadas mountain range and, soon next, Vila Velha de Ródão, the end of today's stage and the Caminho de Santiago Nascente in the Alentejo (Eastern Path to Santiago in Alentejo). We cross the granite pillars on the bridge that is part of the first road revolution in the country, and enjoy the wonderful view that reaches Ródão Gates. In spring, we often see here the griffon vulture and the discreet Bonelli's eagle, showing their majestic 500 m planar as if to greet us and wish us a... Safe Path!