Description
This trail begins next to the Parish Church of Moledo; follow the trail markers and additional signage, and from here you can see the stream valley and its surroundings. As you begin to descend the mountain range, you’ll come upon the Azenha de Moledo, now in ruins, which once belonged to the Marques family, residents of the village of Moledo.
From this mill produced one of Portugal’s finest nectars: olive oil. It remained in operation until the second half of the 20th century, when— curiously—it closed at a time when Portugal was facing a high rate of emigration.
One passes the stream flows through the “poldras” toward the place called “Inferno,” a name by which the local population refers to an area of waterfalls, mills, and the confluence of several watercourses of the Coura stream.
The waterfall and the mills of “Inferno” get their name because they are located in a shady area, and the waterfall is quite high— probably the highest on the entire Coura stream. It is undoubtedly a pleasant place to enjoy the sound of the water and the entire surrounding area .
From next, you enter the rural village of Moledo, a charming and welcoming place, with locals who are already accustomed to pilgrims, since this route coincides with the Portuguese Interior Way of Santiago.
At near the end of the walk, you follow the “Mass Path,” a route that led—and still leads—the residents of the village of Balteiro to the Church of Moledo to attend the celebration of the Eucharist.