The Caldas de Santa Maria Madalena are located in Candedo. Archaeological finds linked to the Roman presence have been discovered in the surrounding area. The Tinhela Valley also shapes the natural landscape around the village: the Microrreserva do Rio Tinhela / Santa Maria Madalena stretches across a deeply incised valley with a remarkable diversity of habitats. Two walking trails can be distinguished by their respective riverbanks and landmarks.
Walking Trails on the Tua and Tinhela
The PR1 MUR “Trilho da Sobreira – Casa da Floresta – Porrais” is a 14.9-kilometre circular walking trail. It follows the right bank of the Tua River to the village of Sobreira. The route then leads to the Casa da Floresta viewpoint and onwards towards Porrais. When planning a day’s walk, you can consider the 14.9-kilometre circuit as a continuous route and take the named stops into account in their order.
The “Trilho do Tinhela” starts and ends at an information board next to the junction of the EN314 and the EM582. From Porrais, the trail follows the left bank of the Tinhela to near its mouth. Porrais plays a different role on each of the two routes: the PR1 heads towards the village, while the Trilho do Tinhela follows the river from there. This makes it possible to distinguish the trail names and routes, rather than treating them as the same route.
A Deeply Incised Valley and Two Different Riverbanks
The Microrreserva do Rio Tinhela / Santa Maria Madalena is located near Caldas de CarlĂŁo / Santa Maria Madalena. Its valley is characterised by its scenic beauty and a remarkable diversity of habitats. One distinctive feature is the contrast between the two riverbanks: the north-facing slopes on the right bank are shady and cool. On the left bank are the south-facing slopes, whose vegetation differs significantly from that on the right bank.
This contrast gives the landscape several dimensions: the course of the valley alone does not tell the whole story, since the aspect, shade and temperature also vary from bank to bank. Nature enthusiasts will find a tangible comparison within the same river landscape here. The Caldas de Santa Maria Madalena offer another point of interest in Candedo, while the Microrreserva is described in terms of the Tinhela Valley and its habitats.
Historical References and Caldas
Candedo is mentioned in the Inquirições of D. Afonso II from 1220. The village is also mentioned in the Foral of Abreiro from 1225. These two dates provide specific historical reference points for the village. In addition, archaeological finds in the area around the Caldas de Santa Maria Madalena are linked to the Roman presence.
The therapeutic indications for the waters of Caldas de CarlĂŁo include rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. The full physicochemical analysis referenced in the water profile dates from 30 March 2016. Alongside the walking trails, the valley and the historical references, the water profile is therefore another distinct aspect of the Caldas.
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