The route of the Rota dos Moinhos begins next to the old Macieira warehouses, at the entrance to Maxial—a site dating from the Lower Cretaceous —and follows part of the “right street” until it turns right, beginning the climb up the mountain—toward the Upper Jurassic — where most of this route will take place.

Passing Casais da Capela, still climbing, we turn left a short while before the Fonte de Barro (which once supplied Maxial and still supplies some of the existing fountains today). We catch sight of the first mills, some converted into homes: we are in Vila Seca. The view to the west is superb, allowing us to see the sea on clear days.

Another turn to the left and we begin to descend until we reach a watermill restored as a residence, with its water channel perfectly maintained by the owner. We arrive at Casais de Santo António and through “Lameirão” we begin a new ascent, which takes us to the point where those wishing to take the shorter route (PR8.1) will turn left. The windmills continue to accompany us, and at the top of Folgarosa, the route coincides with a short paved section. A little further ahead, another choice: those opting for the medium-distance route (PR8.2) should turn left.

Continuing through a gently sloping area, wind turbines begin to appear, followed by a horse breeding area. We are once again approaching Vila Seca, where a short detour allows us to visit the Chapel of Santa Luzia. We pass an old quarry and arrive at Ereira, “land of bakers,” where we can see a mill still in operation, in addition to countless others in ruins and some converted into homes. Heading toward Casais das Pedreiras, we will no longer see the clusters of houses for a moment.

The route continues toward Serra Alta, the highest point of the route. Here, the landscape alternates between wind turbines and windmills. To the east, the view allows us to glimpse lands from other parishes and municipalities. We pass by the ruins of a curious three-story windmill. Soon we begin the descent through Carrascal (joining the PR8.2), leaving the windmills behind. In the distance, we catch a glimpse of Montejunto.

A slight climb takes us around the hilltop of Marvela. We descend to “Porto da Sestearia” and, climbing up, pass through Sestearia, before descending the Covões (joining the PR8.1). Our path runs parallel to the cemetery, where we can see its chapel. In the past, this was the church of “Machial,” likely called the Church of Santa Susana and Alcabrichel, founded around 1147, at the beginning of Christian rule in Estremadura. As a result of the 1755 earthquake, only the church’s chancel remains. We are nearing the end of the route, passing by the Mother Church and the Parish Council, to finish where we began: next to the old Macieira warehouses.