Atalaias (Watchtowers) Route – 25,5km

Modality: Pedestrian + bicycle

Location on the map:

How to arrive:

Moura is a Portuguese city located in the interior of the Alentejo region. It is part of the Beja district, being bordered with Spain to the southeast and the Guadiana River to the west.

• Lisbon – Moura (210 km): Leaving through the 25 April Bridge, take the IP7. At the 5th exit, head towards Évora on the N114. Having crossed Évora, head towards Moura on the N384.
• Faro – Moura (205 km): Follow the IC4 in the direction of Vale da Fenda. Continue on E01 / IP1 in the North and West direction. Take the 12th exit towards Castro Verde / Beja via IP2. Cross Beja and continue on the IP2 until Vidigueira. Here, take the N258 to Moura.

Starting and arrival point: Moura City Market (38° 8'34.59"N 7°27'1.98"W)

Total distance: 25,5km

Pedestrian distance: 6,3km

Bicycle distance: 19km

Duration:

Difficulty level: Hard (4+)

Elevation: 

Recommended time of year: Spring, Autumn and Winter

Points of interest: 

• Roman bridge (38° 8'47.29"N  7°26'38.51"W)
• Atalaia (Watchtower) of Porto Mourão (38° 9'43.06"N  7°26'20.43"W)
• Atalaia (Watchtower) of Alvarinho (38° 9'36.43"N    7°24'42.79"W)
• Atalaia (Watchtower) Magra (38° 8'16.95"N  7°25'3.83"W)
• Atalaia (Watchtower) of Coutada (38° 8'1.65"N  7°23'2.01"W)
• Atalaia (Watchtower) of Figueiral (38° 7'27.95"N  7°25'49.19"W)

Gear: Comfortable clothes and shoes, water and food, hat and sunscreen.

Image gallery:

Video gallery:

Accommodation: Hotel de Moura (3*)

Testimonials of the experience:

Long description of the experience: The Atalaias (Watchtowers) route is a circular route that starts and ends in the city of Moura. The most interesting points are the Atalaias (Watchtowers) that were built under the reign of D. Dinis, at the turn of the 13th century, in an effort to control this section of the border with Castile (Spain).
The route starts in Moura, next to the city market and heads to the Roman bridge over the Brenhas river, proceeding towards the atalaia (watchtower) of Porto Mourão, next to the Ardila river. The next point of interest is the atalaia (watchtower) of Alvarinho, next to the road connecting Moura to the Alqueva dam (N255). Here, the cycle path begins with the atalaia (watchtower) Magra, where it is possible to see the city of Moura from a different perspective, from 12 meters high. Then, there is the atalaia (watchtower) of Coutada and the atalaia (watchtower) of Figueiral on the way back to the city of Moura. It is an extensive route in which you will be able to observe the monuments, the fauna and flora of the region.

Photographic report of the experience: