Alijó: Hiking Trails and Local History

In the centre of Alijó stands the Plátano Centenário. Two named hiking trails start at this striking landmark, while the Igreja Matriz adds its own cultural note with historic furnishings. This means you can choose a holiday rental in Alijó to suit specific plans: a hike, an interest in local history, or both.

A tree as a landmark

The Plátano Centenário stands in the centre of Alijó and was planted in 1856 at the initiative of the Visconde da Ribeira. Today it is classified as a Monumento Nacional de Interesse Público. Its planting date and official classification give the tree a historical dimension that is directly connected to a spot in the town centre.

Circular route or linear hike?

The PR16 ALJ Trilho de Alijó - Castedo is a circular hiking route that starts and ends at the Plátano Centenário. This means the start and finish are at the same place. The PR15 ALJ Trilho de Alijó - Senhora da Cunha, by contrast, is linear and also starts in Alijó by the Plátano. These different route formats can help you plan your day: on the PR16, you return to your starting point; the PR15 offers a linear route. The official leaflets for both trails date from April 2021; check local conditions before setting out.

The PR14 ALJ Trilho de Favaios - Alijó adds another circular hiking route to the choice. The trail is 10.5 kilometres long, and the stated duration is 3 hours and 25 minutes. This gives your planning a specific time and distance framework. For the PR16, by contrast, the defining feature is its start and finish at the Plátano; for the PR14, you can take the route length and stated duration into account. This lets you compare two circular routes based on different, specifically stated features, rather than considering only their route format.

Local history and sacred art

The Igreja Matriz de Alijó also gives the choice of destination a cultural dimension. Dedicated to Santa Maria Maior, it dates from the late 18th century. Inside, it houses a sculpture of Santa Maria Maior made from Ançã stone, as well as chalices dating from the 16th century. Its dedication, date of construction, stone material and the age of the chalices provide specific points of interest for anyone who wants to include sacred art and local history, as well as hiking trails, in their trip. The church thus complements the active nature of the hikes with a different way to explore.

Getting there and choosing a base

You can reach Alijó by road via the A4, which connects Porto, Vila Real and Bragança. Check current road conditions before travelling. When looking for a holiday rental, also consider how much you want to focus your plans on the town centre, the trails that start there, or the cultural attractions. If you choose Alijó as a base for the PR16 or PR15, you can take into account the central starting point of these hikes; for the PR14, the specific route and stated duration provide useful guidance. Choose accommodation to suit the experiences you want to combine, and match its location to your main focus.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Cotas, Pinhao, Favaios, Vale De Mendiz, Pópulo, Castedo, Santa Eugénia, Vilar de Maçada.

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