Pópulo: Chapel, Castro and Circular Routes

In Pópulo, cultural history meets a landscape that can be described through specific sites and waterways. The Capela de Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte, the Castro do Pópulo and two connected circular routes give the destination a clear focus. This is useful when looking for a holiday rental if you want to combine a stay with cultural heritage sites and hiking plans.

Chapel and Castro between the streams

The Capela de Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte is also known as the Capela do Pópulo. It is believed to date from the 17th century. Its cautious dating provides a specific historical reference point for planning your trip.

The Castro do Pópulo, also known as Castro da Touca Rota and Castelo de São Marcos, is situated on a hill between the Sabrosa and Vale de Cunho streams. Both streams are tributaries of the Tinhela. The three names refer to the same site; in the União das freguesias de Pópulo e Ribalonga, it is classified as an “Imóvel de Interesse Público” (Property of Public Interest). This adds a clearly designated heritage status to its distinctive topography.

A dated glimpse of the festivities is available for 2018: the programme for the Festa em Honra de Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte included a solemn Mass and a procession that year. This information relates to that year’s festival programme.

Two connected circular routes, different starting points

The PR6 ALJ “Trilho das Muralhas” is a circular hiking route that starts and ends at the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte in the Castro. It passes through Pópulo. A branch leads to Alto do Pópulo, where it connects with the PR7 ALJ “Trilho do Alto do Pópulo–Perafita”.

The PR7 is also a circular route. It starts and ends at the information board in Alto do Pópulo and connects with the PR6. From Alto do Pópulo, it initially follows the route of the Roman road from Tresminas to Vesúvio; it returns to the starting point along old paths. The PR7 is listed as 11.5 kilometres long, with a duration of 3 hours and 50 minutes. These route details may change if the trail is rerouted. It is therefore worth checking the current route before setting off when planning your day.

The described starting points differ when choosing a route: the PR6 starts at the chapel in the Castro, while the PR7 starts at the information board in Alto do Pópulo. At the same time, the two circular routes are connected. This lets you consider the route and starting point as specific planning questions without combining the trails into a single walk.

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Pópulo, you can start by considering what you want from your holiday: should the Castro’s and chapel’s cultural history shape your stay, or would you like to include one of the circular routes in your day plan? This question gives your destination choice a specific framework and helps you assess whether Pópulo suits the balance of culture and hiking you have in mind.

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

Back to the main travel overview: Alijó.