TRAIL
OF
TERENA
TERENA CONQUEST
The village of Terena, located in Alandroal, is one of the
Alentejo's best kept secrets.
It seems that time has stood still, as if it wanted to leave a
clear mark on a historical past of enormous importance, as
evidenced by the testimonies of so many eras and so many
civilisations, including the best legacy of the pre-Christian
god Endovelicus and the strategic position on the border
with Spain with an imperative need for defence and
settlement.
TYPE OF TRAIL : CIRCULAR
DISTANCE : 13,4 KM
DURATION : 4 HOURS
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY : MEDIUM
ELEVATION : 224 METERS
POINTS OF INTEREST
Leave Largo do Castelo, passing in front of the Clock Tower and Pelourinho. Continue through the village of Terena,
past the church of São Pedro towards the entrance to the cemetery. Turn right and go down the road towards the national road 255 to turn left, travelling along its edge until, at the first bend, you turn off onto the dirt track that goes straight ahead through Horta do Professor. Continue gently uphill, passing a cattle gate with a metal grid on the ground, until you reach a junction of paths in the middle of the cork oak forest. Turn right at a tight angle and follow the cork oak forest, along the dirt track, which at one point makes a left turn followed by another to the right. Keep going through the middle of the cork oak forest, passing another cattle gate until you reach the paved municipal road, where you should turn left and follow the roadside path for about a kilometre, to re-enter the forest near the entrance to Monte da Coutada, where you'll see a large cork oak tree. Head north between cork oaks and holm oaks, followed by wide agricultural fields and small vegetable gardens. See the Lucefécit reservoir and turn left towards its dam, passing over two walls that support the water. Walk along the dam wall and go to
see the unloading systems, from where you have an excellent view of the body of water with Terena Castle in the background. Turn back to take the access road to the national road. Take a diversion to the left, along the side of the road followed by a dirt track to see the old Terena Bridge and then turn back, passing by the electricity substation. You can take a left between the vineyard and the road. After the Ribeira da Cruz bridge, turn left and follow the irrigation canal until you see the Fortress Temple of Nossa Senhora da Boa Nova on the right, where you should turn right. Visit the sanctuary and ask for it to be opened at the house opposite. Follow the tarmac road past the Cruzeiros and, after a slight climb, reach the cemetery and enter the village of Terena to reach the starting point.