Easy hikes and walks around Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa

The Prazo Archaeological Station, located in Freixo de Numão, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa (Guarda district, Portugal), is one of the most fascinating sites in the north of the country, with remains spanning from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages.

The Escadaria de Acesso ao Passeio Ribeirinho significantly shortens the walk for pedestrians between the path along the riverbank and the parking lot at the road bridge over the river. According to the Komoot map, you previously had to walk under the bridge to reach the top in a long loop. The stairs were rebuilt in March 2024 by the Município de Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (the municipality), as the old structure was completely destroyed and abandoned. They consist of raised wooden structures resting directly on the ground. Barca d'Alva is a popular stop for Douro cruises, and these stairs facilitate the descent to the river quay and the walking path, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Douro, the bridge, and the surrounding gorges. They contribute to the revitalization of the place, which had lost importance since the closure of the railway line (the Linha do Douro) in 1988. Today, it is a highlight for nature lovers and photographers, especially at sunset.

The bridge was designed and built in 1955 by the renowned Portuguese engineer Edgar Cardoso. It is considered the first motorway bridge in the Portuguese section of the Douro River and is a concrete arch bridge with a length of approximately 300 meters. It is named after the Portuguese naval officer and colonial administrator Almirante Manuel Maria Sarmento Rodrigues, who served as governor of Guinea and Mozambique under the Salazar dictatorship and later became Minister of Colonies.

When it was closed in 1985, the region lost its direct connection; the bridge fell into disrepair for decades and was inaccessible for a long time. Only in recent years has the entire route been reopened to hikers and visitors as the "Camino de Hierro" (Iron Way). Crossing the bridge offers spectacular views of the Águeda Gorge and the terraced landscapes of olive, almond, and vineyards. Today, it is an industrial monument and also a tourist highlight in the Arribes del Duero Natural Park.

The bridge was built as an iron truss structure following the French school's model (inspired by Gustave Eiffel) and spans the deeply cut Río Águeda, approximately 250 meters long and about 20 meters high above the river. The supporting structure consists of riveted steel girders resting on massive stone piers. It was part of the cross-border connection between Spain and Portugal, connecting Salamanca to Porto. Due to its challenging topography—gorges, steep mountain slopes, and narrow valleys—the line was considered one of the most spectacular railway lines in Europe, with a total of 20 tunnels and 13 bridges, of which the Águeda Bridge was the most famous. It served as the gateway to the La Fregeneda–Barca d'Alva border station, where the crossing into Portugal took place.

The former railway bridge over the Río Águeda near La Fregeneda is one of the most impressive structures on the disused La Fuente de San Esteban – Barca d’Alva railway line (opened in 1887, closed in 1985).

The Barca d'Alva train station retains some traditional Portuguese tiles decorating its main building, despite its state of disrepair. These tiles, typical of Portugal's railway heritage, often depict rural scenes, landscapes of the Douro River, or classic decorative motifs in blue and white.

This pier was built in the 1980s to revitalize the economy of the border region and take advantage of the navigability of the Douro River for freight traffic. Although its use for freight transport has been limited, it is currently used primarily by tourist boats that operate cruises from Porto.