Santa Cruz - Almodôvar

Few farms and hills of stone and mud, some in complete ruin, attest to the dispersed human occupation, especially for agricultural support of the owners and workers living in Almodôvar and other surrounding villages. In the "Dadorde" area we discovered that it was after all the place of the Quinta "Da Ordem" (of Santiago), now partially recovered for leisure accommodation. Recently, a metallic wayside cross was found there, where probably many other historical remains have yet to be discovered, and was rebuilt.

About halfway through the stage, we pass at Monte João Dias, where the few residents welcome us with sympathy and share with us the little they have at their disposal. From now on we follow an old road, now reopened until we cross the river and travel another 3 km to the village of Guedelhas for a coffee or something more substantial. After Guedelhas, the Path intersects with the only stretch of road (2 km) of the stage and then turns right onto the new rural path towards Monte de Pero Guerreiro (the toponymy revealing the historical roots). Then, from hill to hill, including a "molhapés" (foot-wet), if there is enough water, in the crossing of the Oeiras stream (Moinho do José Caetano), we get close to Almodôvar. Turning a final hill, Almodôvar appears as a shining white oasis, set in the valley of the Ribeira de Cobres, and as we go down we accelerate our enthusiastic pace with the prospect of a tastier meal or a more comfortable sleep than those we've had in the last two days. The Path leads to road 267 and is signposted to follow on the left, entering the village by the new bridge over the Ribeira de Cobres and following until the Igreja Matriz de Almodôvar (Main Church). However, if you want to have the experience of crossing the old bridge (medieval but built on the site of another one of Roman origin), you should turn right and left again at about 100 meters. Once you have crossed the bridge, you will have no difficulty in finding your way to the Igreja Matriz.