Tâmega and Corgo Greenway

Country: Portugal

EUROPEAN GREENWAYS AWARD 2025

The International Tâmega and Corgo Greenway In Northern Portugal, is a 55 km ecopista created along the former railway line completed in 1921 to connect Vila Real to Régua. Originally, the railway provided access to the thermal spas of Vidago and Pedras Salgadas.

Today, the Ecopista (Greenway in Portugal) also crosses the original path of the Portuguese Interior Camino de Santiago. Halfway along the route, in Parada de Aguiar, pilgrims can find the Albergue de Santiago. Along the greenway, ecotourists can enjoy magnificent railway heritage, renovated old train stations in Vila Real and Vila Pouca de Aguiar as well as peaceful rural landscapes by bicycle, on foot, or on horseback, surrounded by avenues of oak and chestnut trees, while vineyards and fruit trees shape the scenery. In addition to its railway heritage, the route highlights the towns of Pedras Salgadas, Vidago, and Chaves, all famous for their thermal waters.

The heart of the greenway is the Vila Pouca de Aguiar Welcome Center, located in Pedras Salgadas in a beautifully renovated former railway station. The municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar is also renowned for its gastronomy and local products, including Batata do Alvão (IGP), Cabrito Bravio (DOP), Castanha da Padrela (DOP), Maronesa beef (DOP), the famous onion, wild mushrooms, and honey. In Chaves the ecopista extends north and connects to Verín in Spain.