The Pincho Trail is a circular hike of about 10 km (6.2 miles) that starts and ends in Montaria, in the municipality of Viana do Castelo. Along the way, you’ll discover some of the most famous attractions of the Serra d’Arga, especially the Pincho Waterfall — one of the most beautiful in northern Portugal.
This is a rural and forest trail that follows part of the Âncora River and passes by several of its waterfalls. It’s relatively well-marked and not challenging — neither technically nor physically — so almost anyone can complete it without significant issues.
If you’re looking for a hike that combines stunning scenery, a bit of exercise, and the reward of swimming in a spectacular waterfall, this is the perfect trail for you.
General Info – Pincho Trail (PR5)
- ???? Name: Trilho do Pincho (Pincho Trail)
- ???? Start: Montaria, Largo do Souto
- ???? End: Montaria, Largo do Souto
- ???? Distance: around 10 km (6.2 miles)
- ⏳ Estimated time: 3 to 4 hours
- ???? Difficulty: Easy to moderate (mainly due to distance)
- ⚙️ Technical difficulty: Easy
- ⛰️ Max/min elevation: 290/100 meters (951/328 feet)
- ???? Elevation gain: around 200 meters (656 feet)
- ???? Type: Circular
- ???? Signage (1–5): 4 – Well marked, though a few spots can be a bit confusing
- ???? Highlights: Waterfalls, forest paths, rural landscapes, river lagoons
- ???? You can download the trail leaflet [here]
Our Experience on the Trail
The PR5 Pincho Trail starts at Largo do Souto and goes through the village of Montaria toward the Âncora River. The first few hundred meters (about a quarter mile) are along the village streets, until you leave Montaria and reach a bridge over the Âncora River. Right next to it, there’s a small picnic area where the road ends.
Before the bridge, you turn left toward a levada (traditional irrigation channel), and for the next few minutes, you’ll walk along it, right next to the Âncora River. This is one of the prettiest parts of the trail. If you’ve been following us, you probably know we love levadas 🙂
After the levada, the path continues downhill through forest trails until you reach a paved road, where you need to turn left. However, it’s worth making a short detour to the right, toward the bridge, where you’ll find Trás Âncora Waterfall. It’s small, but there’s a natural pool where you can swim and take a dip.
Back on the trail, you return and continue along the main road. There’s a short climb of about 200–300 meters (650–980 feet) until you turn left onto another forest road that goes downhill for about 1.5 km (almost 1 mile) until you see a sign pointing to Pincho Waterfall, the highlight of this hike.
The trail doesn’t pass right by the waterfall, but at the end of this long descent, you’ll reach the Âncora River and see an informational sign about the falls. From here, you follow the river and walk upstream for about 50 meters (160 feet).
Pincho Waterfall, also known as Ferida Má Waterfalls, is made up of several small drops. From the bottom, you can mostly see two of them, about 5 to 10 meters high (16 to 33 feet). In summer, the water flow is low, but the falls are still visible and impressive.
At the base of the waterfall, there’s a beautiful green lagoon with cool, fresh water — perfect for swimming or just relaxing. Take your time to rest and soak in the natural beauty of the falls and their surroundings.
From the waterfall, the trail climbs steadily along a rural path, first dirt, then cobbled. Halfway up, you turn left and continue along forest and rural roads until you return to the center of Montaria.
Along the way, you’ll pass Costa Watermills, the Parish Church, and the Calvário — small landmarks that reflect the history and soul of this village. The hike ends right where it started, after a peaceful walk that blends nature, tradition, and the typical landscapes of the Serra d’Arga.
Best Time of Year to Hike the Trail
This trail is ideal for summer, when you can cool off with a dip in the waterfall. Plus, the Serra d’Arga is rarely too hot, even during the warmer months, and there’s plenty of shade along the way.
That said, the trail can be hiked year-round, including in winter. There aren’t any hazardous sections, even in wet conditions — be cautious around the waterfalls, as the rocks can get slippery.
If you visit in spring or winter, you’ll likely see Pincho Waterfall with much more water, which makes it even more impressive.
Who Can Hike This Trail?
The hike is about 10 km (6.2 miles), but it’s not particularly hard or technical. Anyone who’s at least a little used to walking should be able to do it without major problems.
The ups and downs are gentle, and the path is manageable from start to finish. So, it’s suitable for most people, as long as they don’t have mobility or flexibility limitations.
To reach the waterfall, you’ll need to walk across some rocks along the riverbed. That part requires a bit more care, but it’s not especially difficult.
What to Bring
Since the trail is about 10 km and takes around 4 hours to complete, you won’t need any special gear. Still, here’s what we recommend:
- Plenty of water (around 1 liter / 34 oz per person)
- Snacks
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Light and comfortable clothing
- Waterproof jacket in winter
- Swimsuit, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen in summer
- Camera and phone — there are plenty of photo opportunities! Your phone can also serve as a GPS
- A small backpack to carry it all
And, as always, please don’t leave trash behind. Take everything back with you — nature (and we) thank you!
How to Get to the Trail
Now that you know what to expect and what to bring, let’s go over how to get to the starting point.
The trail starts at Largo do Souto, in the center of Montaria, Viana do Castelo. There you’ll find parking, information boards about this and other trails, a small picnic area under chestnut and oak trees, and even a café/restaurant (O Monteirense) where you can eat before or after the hike.
- From Viana do Castelo: Montaria is about a 20-minute drive from the city center. Just follow the EN13 toward Geraz do Lima and then take the local road to Montaria.
- From Porto: The journey takes approximately 1 to 1 hour and 10 minutes via the A3 and then the EN13 through Ponte de Lima, continuing to Montaria.
We’re not entirely sure about public transportation options in this area, but it doesn’t seem easy — driving is your best bet, unless you’re up for an extra challenge. ????
Where to Stay When Hiking the Pincho Trail
Since the trail is relatively short and easy to access, you can do this hike from anywhere in northern Portugal — there’s no real need to stay in Montaria or nearby.
If you prefer, you can stay in Viana do Castelo or even Porto. Check out our recommendations on where to stay in Porto.
And if you’d like to explore more of the Serra d’Arga, check out the map below for accommodation options in the region.
Pin it for later
| ℹ️ General Info – Pincho Trail (PR5) | |
|---|---|
| ???? Name | Pincho Trail (Trilho do Pincho) |
| ???? Start | Montaria, Largo do Souto |
| ???? End | Montaria, Largo do Souto |
| ???? Distance | Around 10 km (6.2 miles) |
| ⏳ Estimated time | 3 to 4 hours |
| ???? Difficulty | Easy to moderate (mainly due to distance) |
| ⚙️ Technical difficulty | Easy |
| ⛰️ Max/min elevation | 290 / 100 meters (951 / 328 feet) |
| ???? Elevation gain | Around 200 meters (656 feet) |
| ???? Type | Circular |
| ???? Signage (1–5) | 4 – Well marked, though a few spots can be a bit confusing |
| ???? Highlights | Waterfalls, forest paths, rural scenery, lagoons of the Âncora River |
| ???? Leaflet | Download here |