Ermida

Mountain valleys, agricultural terraces, stone figures and local customs give Ermida several facets. The parish of Ermida lies in the mountainous Serra Amarela area, which is part of the Serra do Gerês massif. From the Miradouro da Ermida, you can see the agricultural terraces around Ermida. The viewpoint is located between the deep valley of the Ribeira da Carcerelha and the deep valley of the Froufe River. This vantage point thus brings together the cultivated surroundings and a setting defined by two striking valleys.

Mountain scenery and views

The Miradouro da Ermida brings together two distinct impressions: a view of the agricultural terraces and its location between the deep valleys of the Ribeira da Carcerelha and the Froufe River. The surroundings therefore reveal both cultivated land and a mountainous landscape. For planning your trip, this is a different facet of Ermida from its stone objects and local customs.

Stone objects at the Núcleo Museológico

The Núcleo Museológico da Ermida displays the Estátua Menir and the Pedra dos Namorados. The Estátua Menir is a female sculpture made from granite from the region and is dated to the period between the late 3rd and the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. The Pedra dos Namorados is a 1.80-metre-high granite slab bearing two anthropomorphic figures: a female and a male figure holding hands. The two objects offer contrasting accents: one is a solitary female figure with a prehistoric date, while the other is a couple depicted together on a tall slab.

Crafts and local festivals

Local craft traditions in Ermida include weaving and basketry. Alongside the stone objects in the museum, these crafts are also part of the local cultural heritage. Two feast days add further distinct features: the Festa a Nossa Senhora de Fátima is celebrated in Ermida on 15 August. On the last day of the year, São Silvestre is celebrated with a large communal bonfire, around which residents gather to eat and drink. The dates provide a clearly distinguishable timeframe: a fixed date in August and a communal year-end celebration.

Historical traces and orchids

Branda de Bilhares is a former temporary mountain settlement; traces of Roman settlement have been preserved in the area. The former settlement and the Roman traces mark two historical aspects of the region. Three species of wild orchids bloom in the meadows around Branda de Bilhares from May to August. Here, a historical connection meets a seasonal nature theme with a specifically named flowering period.

Activities on the Ribeira da Carcerelha

You can go canyoning along the Ribeira da Carcerelha. The natural pools along the watercourse are used for swimming. This means different activities take place on the same waterway: canyoning along the Ribeira and swimming in the natural pools. When considering which experiences to include in your trip, you can treat these as separate options.

Choose a holiday rental based on your interests

When looking for a holiday rental in Ermida, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: culture and local customs, mountain scenery and seasonal nature, or activities on the Ribeira da Carcerelha.

Discover more destinations: Vitorino Dos Piães, Lanhelas, Subportela, Vila Franca, Pinheiros, Mazarefes, Germil, Areosa

For the main travel overview: Viana Do Castelo.