Terra de Miranda (Tierra de Miranda in Mirandese) the historical name of a 500km2 mesa in the northeastern part of Portugal, lying on the border of Spain. It used to be an administrative division and although it does not correspond to a madern day regions's borders, there are some cultural chareacteristics particular to Terra de Miranda that kepp the name in use to the present day. It has been a border region between different administrative areas of the Roman Empire the kingdoms of the Visigoths and the Suevi, the Arabs and the Christians. Although the etymology of the word Miranda is stil debated, it is beleived to mean "border". Among the best know cultural features particular to this area there is the Mirandese language, the Pauliteiros, the pagan rituals practiced from Christmas to Easter, namely the farandulo and the bagpipe music. And, don't forget the castle in the village, with an impressive old cathedral and lovely small streets.
Now the walk (click on "photo" above for the map). The walk is from Miranda do Douro, Vale de Aguia, Aldeia Nova and back again. The route is approx. 10 miles incl return. In Aldeia Nova you can take the bus back to Miranda.
You leave the city in NE direction in a way that you can see the Douro on your right hand. There is a path, sometimes marked, which you can follow all along the Doura until Vale de Aguia. This is also one the most beautiful parts of the walk. Passing small houses, villages where the age of the people are far over 60's, and even a little church, restored in the beginning of 2000. As bird life is concerned, you can watch, if you have a lucky day, the big owl and the Golden Eagle cruising over the mountains tops. In the beginning there is an open field where you have the scenic views, later on there are bushes and especially in springtime flowers. The whole route has a different landscape of course created and structured by the Douro in the past centuries.
Take for your walk water and something te eat because there are hardly any shops, so be prepared!
Enjoy the special character of this landscape with the top of view, the Golden Eagle.
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