We’ll describe the route we took on the Passadiços do Paiva, which started at the Areinho trailhead, stopped at the 516 Arouca bridge, and then continued on to end at the Espinuca trailhead, with a jeep ride then back to the starting point at the Areinho trailhead.

Areinho trailhead The Areinho parking lot is located next to a beach area, small cafe, outdoor shower, and restrooms. The beach area was open when we visited, but lifeguards didn’t allow visitors to swim at the Areinho beach because of a bacterial outbreak in the water. It was also hot in mid-summer when we hiked (late July). The trail immediately leaves the parking lot and winds on a soft dirt path through the forest. After 0.4 mi / 0.6 km, the trail starts with the first segment of wooden walkways (_passadiço_ in Portuguese). The walkway travels for 0.2 mi / 0.3 km before it traverses the highway.

Stairs Ascent After crossing the highway, the wooden walkway transforms into a wooden staircase, which ascends the hill in 538 stairs. This is the most difficult part of the hike. Briefly, the wooden stairs give way to a dirt trail, which meanders through the forest again before joining the wooden walkway again. After this second stretch of the wooden walkway (which includes another jaunt up a staircase), you’ll reach the Areinho meeting point, with the entrance booth. From the highway to the meeting point is 0.4 mi / 0.6 km, which packs a lot – including a lot of elevation gain – into this segment

Areinho Meeting Point Once you’ve arrived at the Areinho meeting point, there is a small hut with a cooling room with drinking water available. There is also a small forested area with shade that you can sit on some rocks. The entrance booth staff won’t let you into the walkway or the 516 Arouca bridge until the entrance time on your ticket has arrived. If you’re early, you’ll have to wait in the shaded forest area or in the cooling room until it’s your time. Also, they won’t sell any tickets at the entrance booth – you’ll need to bring those with you that you’ve pre-purchased on the Internet.

516 Arouca Bridge After the Areinho meeting point / entrance booth, the trail splits into two. The upper trail goes to the 516 Arouca bridge and the lower trail continues on the Passadiço do Paiva walkway. If you’ve purchased a 516 Arouca bridge ticket, you’ll be directed to the upper trail, a dirt path that ascends the hill for 0.2 mi / 0.3 (no staircases this time) to the bridge entrance. For more about the bridge see 516 Arouca Bridge.

Aguierias Waterfall Viewpoint The lower trail from the Areinho meeting point / entrance booth continues on for 0.2 mi / 0.3 km on a dirt trail, before it passes under the 516 Arouca bridge and rejoins the wooden walkways. At this point, you should be able to see a small waterfall across the river gorge on the right-hand side, the Cascata das Aguieiras.

On the Trail to Vau After passing under the bridge, the wooden staircases appear again, this time in an almost dizzying, labyrinth-like plunge back into the river gorge. The staircase descends in a trapezoidal spiral for 0.2 mi / 0.3 km down the mountain, until it rejoins the wooden walkway. From the end of the staircase, it’s another 1.6 mi / 2.6 km on the walkway until you reach Vau. This portion is scenic as the trail meanders close to the tranquil river, with sweeping vistas of the green river valley.

Passadiços do Paiva: Hiking Areinho to Vau