The best running trails around Aliste

Peña el Pingón is a prominent natural landmark on the hiking trails of Alcañices. Located in a spectacular setting, it is one of the most highly recommended spots by both local and visiting hikers. At the base of Peña el Pingón, or in its immediate vicinity, lies a cave, seamlessly integrated into the surrounding rocky landscape. It adds to the area's charm and is a popular stopping point on hiking routes.

Rio de Onor is not just a beautiful village; it's a "living museum" of a way of life that has almost disappeared in Europe. It's worth visiting because it is possibly the village with the most fascinating social history in Portugal. Here are the 4 main reasons to go there: 1. It's a Community Village ("Communitarianism") This is Rio de Onor's great trademark. For centuries, the village lived under a system of total sharing among neighbors, something very rare: Sharing of Goods: The bread oven, the watermill, and even the village bull belonged to everyone. The "Rod of Justice": Decisions and fines for infractions in the village were marked on a wooden rod, managed by the "judge" elected by the people. You can see this history explained at the Casa do Touro (House of the Bull), a small, unmissable museum in the village. 2. One Village, Two Countries Rio de Onor is a village bisected by the international border. On this side is Rio de Onor (Portugal); on the other side is Rihonor de Castilla (Spain). For the inhabitants, the border never really existed: they share land, livestock, and even speak their own dialect (Rionorês), an ancient mixture of Portuguese and Castilian. It's very curious to cross from one country to the other on foot in the middle of the main street. 3. The Schist Landscape and Nature Located in the Montesinho Natural Park, the village is visually stunning. The houses are made of dark schist with wooden balconies, typical of Trás-os-Montes, and are very well preserved. The Onor River, which crosses the village, has clear waters and creates a very pleasant natural river beach in the summer, perfect for picnics. 4. The "Roman" Bridge The old stone bridge (which is actually from the 19th century, despite its popular name) is the village's postcard image. The reflection of the arches in the water with the schist houses in the background creates one of the most photogenic landscapes in Northern Portugal. Visiting Rio de Onor is like stepping back in time and understanding how communities survived in isolation in the mountains, supporting each other. It's a lesson in life and history in an incredible natural setting.

The trail follows the banks of the River Onor until it takes you to a charming weir, or small dam, where you can cross the river with the water murmuring beneath your feet. An idyllic spot, where the landscape is dazzling and the sound of the stream soothes you.

The La Ribera Stream Bridge in Fonfría is a picturesque spot perfect for hiking and nature lovers. It's a stone bridge that allows you to cross the La Ribera Stream. The area offers several scenic trails to enjoy the nature and scenery.

Rio de Onor is a sleepy little village right on the Portugal/Spain border. The drive through it is a challenging one and absolutely not recommended for larger campervans.

The Molino de los Carbajos is an old mill located in the Aliste region, near Fonfría, in the province of Zamora. This mill is a popular point of interest for hiking and nature lovers. It is located on a marked trail that runs from Brandilanes to Castro, following the white and yellow signs. The Molino de los Carbajos is perfect for a short excursion and to enjoy the natural beauty of Aliste.

Rio de Onor is one of the most emblematic villages in Bragança and the Montesinho Natural Park, and was elected the 7th Wonder of Portugal in 2017 – a village in a protected area. Crossing the border with Spain, on one side is Rio de Onor, and on the other, Rihonor de Castilla, which is why it is said to be “one village, two countries”!

The Molino de los Tejeros is located on the hiking route that goes from Castro de Alcañices to Brandilanes, in the Aliste region, Zamora. This route, known as the Rivera de los Molinos, is famous for its natural beauty and its ethnological heritage, since along the route you can see several old water mills.