A charter dating from 1514, a 9.52-kilometre circular trail and the Ecopista do Dão offer clear reasons to visit Treixedo: local history, heritage and routes in the surrounding area. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the two routes. The Percurso de Treixedo is a circular trail; in the area around the town, the Ecopista follows the route of a former railway line.
Treixedo between its charter and heritage
On 16 March 1514, Treixedo received a charter from King Manuel. It is a notable date in the town’s history. The Pelourinho de Treixedo also points to the town’s former autonomy: as a symbol of that autonomy, the former pillory has now disappeared. It was classified as an immovable property of public interest (IIP) by Decree No. 23,122 of 11 October 1933.
Treixedo’s notable heritage also includes Roman remains. Near Nossa Senhora da Assunção, a rock-cut tomb is one of the archaeological features of interest. The church itself dates from the 18th century and is on the southern edge of the built-up area. In Treixedo, you will encounter traces of different historical contexts: a royal charter, Roman remains and a rock-cut tomb near an 18th-century church.
The Percurso de Treixedo: a circular trail with local history
The 9.52-kilometre Percurso de Treixedo starts on Rua do Calvário, beside the sports pavilion and the former primary school. Its circular route and designated starting point provide a clear framework for planning. From the area around the parish church, the trail crosses a woodland area towards Granjal.
Along the way, the circular trail passes the abandoned Solar do Torreão, also known as the Visconde de Treixedo. The estate has a family coat of arms and a private chapel. The Capela de Nossa Senhora da Saúde is also one of the stops on the trail. The old Treixedo railway station is another point of interest. The route thus combines local history and buildings with a section through woodland, while its sights vary in character.
In the area around Treixedo, the Percurso reaches Poço do Banho in Granjal. Since 1877, sulphurous therapeutic spring water has been channelled there into a kind of small open-air thermal baths. The location is useful to know when planning: Poço do Banho is in Granjal, not in Treixedo’s built-up area.
Ecopista do Dão: the former railway line by the river
The Ecopista do Dão was built along the route of the former railway branch line that connected Santa Comba Dão with Viseu. After the railway line closed, the Ecopista officially opened in early July 2011. In the area around Treixedo, it runs from the old Treixedo railway station along the Dão River to the Granjal metal bridge.
On the stretch between the railway bridge and Treixedo railway station, the river runs alongside the route. Oaks, cork oaks and strawberry trees grow there. The railway’s history and the course of the river give this stretch a different emphasis from the Percurso de Treixedo: here, the former railway line by the river is the focus, while the circular trail includes several cultural and historical points and the route towards Granjal.
Which focus suits your trip?
If you would like to include local history and archaeological remains in your travel plans, Treixedo offers several different themes, including the charter, the Pelourinho and the Roman remains. The Percurso adds specific points of interest, such as the abandoned Solar do Torreão and the chapel. For a route through a landscape setting, the Ecopista, with its course along the Dão and the tree species mentioned, is a separate option. The circular trail’s 9.52 kilometres are a specific distance; no corresponding distance is given here for the Ecopista.
For the broader travel overview: Treixedo.
