About This Trail
Santo António de Brandas is a high-altitude branda — a seasonal stone settlement — in the parish of Sistelo/Gave, Arcos de Valdevez. Set on open granite moorland, it's one of the most raw and untouched corners of the region. Wild Garrano horses and Barrosã cattle roam freely across the plateau, completely indifferent to the occasional hiker who finds their way up here.
This is not a curated experience. There are no signposts, no entrance fees, and virtually no crowds. It's just you, the wind, the stone, and the animals. For those who want to see northern Portugal at its most elemental, this is the place.
Getting There
Drive from Sistelo village or Gave via a dirt and gravel track. The road is passable in dry conditions with a normal car, though a vehicle with higher clearance is more comfortable. Alternatively, you can walk from Sistelo — approximately 4 km uphill, which adds around 1.5 hours to the journey but rewards you with views the whole way up.
Route
- Arrive at the stone shelters and settlements of Santo António de Brandas
- Explore the ancient stone structures and surrounding granite moorland plateau
- Scan the open landscape for Garrano wild horses and Barrosã cattle
- Continue toward the Peneda-Gerês National Park border
- Loop back through the moorland to your starting point
Highlights
- Free-roaming Garrano horses — a native Portuguese breed, small and hardy
- Barrosã cattle grazing across the plateau
- Ancient stone shelters and seasonal settlements, some centuries old
- Panoramic views across the entire plateau and beyond
- Complete solitude — you may not see another person the entire time
Tips
- There is no marked trail — GPS or offline maps (e.g. maps.me, Komoot) are strongly recommended
- Best on clear days when visibility is good; fog can roll in quickly at altitude
- Bring warm layers even in summer — the exposed altitude means wind and cooler temperatures
- An exceptional location for photography, especially golden hour light on the horses
- Keep a respectful distance from the animals; they are wild, not tame
