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St. Julien of Freixo Route

Largo do Senhor dos Aflitos, Freixo 4990-448 Ponte de Lima 41° 39' 32,9" N | 8° 35' 14,8" W
Largo do Senhor dos Aflitos, Freixo 4990-448 Ponte de Lima

The route of St. Julien Freixo is a footpath known as the short route. The respective markings and signs conform to international standards. This route allows one to contemplate beautiful landscapes that reflect a harmonious transition between urban and rural areas.

The route starts off at the Lord of the Afflicted Square, with a Calvary cross with the same name, the St. Amaro Chapel and a set of trees that offer a fresh environment. Carry on to the Parish Church of St. Julião of Freixo, a temple rebuilt in 1743, which we should go around to better position ourselves in its previous elevation. Here, we have a first contact with the valley and its cultivated fields. Following the directions we come upon a path and soon after we walk down the stairs, turning right and entering a paved road a few meters ahead, to then turn left. We begin the descent, traversing some shrines in honor of Our Lady of Apparitions/ Our Lady of Conception (who) Appeared, to then later come upon the freshness of the forest of the Devesa Estate and subsequently the Pombarinhos Stream.

We continue the route to the Paçô Square until reaching a square with olive trees where we see the St. Sebastian Chapel. We recommend using the stairway. After stopping to enjoy the panoramic views of the parish church (southeast), the hill of St. Christopher (south) and the Corutelo Estate (southwest), descend the stairway and turn right at the hallway to then turn left onto the path of Agras. During the descent, take note of the beauty of the valley, the green fields and vineyards.

Continuing the route, we turn left and then follow to the right on a dirt path - toward a cultivated field - crossing at the border. We spot the Cartas Mill, which in recent times still served the needs of the village population. Cross the Pombarinhos Brook again. Do not be surprised to see fishermen at work, showing one of the purposes of the inland waters. Here we can witness the different agricultural activities and operations related to the crops grown.

Resume the walk, climbing a stairway against the wall. On the ground path, we go pass an abandoned house to later be able to enjoy some holly. We continue the climb towards the Estate and, when we reach a road with houses ahead, turn right on the National Road (EN) 308, which  must be crossed, entering a patch of eucalyptus and pine trees, in direction to Mount St. Christopher.

Go up the stairway that gives access to this mountain where there are two chapels, one dedicated to St. Christopher and another dedicated to St. Sylvester. From the top of the hill we can see wonderful views in the direction of Viana do Castelo, like the Palace of Corutelo and on days without fog, the Atlantic Ocean.

After the descent, take the local road to the right, toward Freixo. When we reach the national road, EN 308, cross it and turn right to a little later enter a path slightly to the left - situated in front of some shrines in honor of St. Christopher - toward the place of Barreiras. When we reach the road linking Freixo to Ponte de Lima, turn left and we are near the Our Lord of the Afflicted Square.


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Description

The route of St. Julien Freixo is a footpath known as the short route. The respective markings and signs conform to international standards. This route allows one to contemplate beautiful landscapes that reflect a harmonious transition between urban and rural areas.

The route starts off at the Lord of the Afflicted Square, with a Calvary cross with the same name, the St. Amaro Chapel and a set of trees that offer a fresh environment. Carry on to the Parish Church of St. Julião of Freixo, a temple rebuilt in 1743, which we should go around to better position ourselves in its previous elevation. Here, we have a first contact with the valley and its cultivated fields. Following the directions we come upon a path and soon after we walk down the stairs, turning right and entering a paved road a few meters ahead, to then turn left. We begin the descent, traversing some shrines in honor of Our Lady of Apparitions/ Our Lady of Conception (who) Appeared, to then later come upon the freshness of the forest of the Devesa Estate and subsequently the Pombarinhos Stream.

We continue the route to the Paçô Square until reaching a square with olive trees where we see the St. Sebastian Chapel. We recommend using the stairway. After stopping to enjoy the panoramic views of the parish church (southeast), the hill of St. Christopher (south) and the Corutelo Estate (southwest), descend the stairway and turn right at the hallway to then turn left onto the path of Agras. During the descent, take note of the beauty of the valley, the green fields and vineyards.

Continuing the route, we turn left and then follow to the right on a dirt path - toward a cultivated field - crossing at the border. We spot the Cartas Mill, which in recent times still served the needs of the village population. Cross the Pombarinhos Brook again. Do not be surprised to see fishermen at work, showing one of the purposes of the inland waters. Here we can witness the different agricultural activities and operations related to the crops grown.

Resume the walk, climbing a stairway against the wall. On the ground path, we go pass an abandoned house to later be able to enjoy some holly. We continue the climb towards the Estate and, when we reach a road with houses ahead, turn right on the National Road (EN) 308, which  must be crossed, entering a patch of eucalyptus and pine trees, in direction to Mount St. Christopher.

Go up the stairway that gives access to this mountain where there are two chapels, one dedicated to St. Christopher and another dedicated to St. Sylvester. From the top of the hill we can see wonderful views in the direction of Viana do Castelo, like the Palace of Corutelo and on days without fog, the Atlantic Ocean.

After the descent, take the local road to the right, toward Freixo. When we reach the national road, EN 308, cross it and turn right to a little later enter a path slightly to the left - situated in front of some shrines in honor of St. Christopher - toward the place of Barreiras. When we reach the road linking Freixo to Ponte de Lima, turn left and we are near the Our Lord of the Afflicted Square.


Download the file:

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