Passadiços do Paiva: Hiking from Vau to Espiunca

Vau  Right before you approach Vau, you’ll see another small pedestrian suspension bridge. You don’t want to take this bridge, as it leads to a trail that goes to Alverenga. Instead, you’ll go straight. At Vau is a small cafe, and a riverside beach area that is perfect for a mid-day plunge. We cooled off and swam for a bit in the water because the temperatures in July swelled past 95 F / 35 C. There is also an access road that leads to the trail in Vau, at which you could call a taxi to extract you if you’ve tired of the trail.

From Vau to Gola do Salto  From Vau, it’s 0.9 mi / 1.4 km on the walkways until you reach a wooden staircase that descends sharply to the river bed. This is a side trail that goes to the Gola do Salto, a 4-5 meter gap in the riverbed that has created class V-VI whitewater rapids. 

To Espiunca  From Gola do Salto, the walkway follows a narrowed river valley and meanders above the river for 0.9 mi / 1.4 km. A brief stretch of dirt path comes next, lasting for 0.2 mi / 0.4 km and which is marked by wooden beams standing vertically from the trail. After this dirt path is the final stretch of wooden boardwalk, which travels for 0.4 mi / 0.7 km (sometimes hugging the cliffside very closely) until it reaches the Espinuca trailhead. At the Espinuca trailhead, you’ll find a cafe with seating area, a small beach, the entrance booth for visitors starting here, and a small taxi/jeep stand. You can pay for a taxi / jeep (16 euro) to take you back to the Areinho trailhead so you don’t have to walk the return route.