PROJECT 291

"PAIVA WALKWAYS "

Municipality Of Arouca, Portugal

It’s in this wonderful setting of multiple species, habitats and ecosystems that the Paiva Walkways arise. The contest was launched in 2010 by the Arouca Town Council and these walkways meander the River Paiva’s left bank covering a length of 8,7km. This is a walk where you’ll get a combination of an elegant wooden path, suspended footbridges, steep stairs that give you breathtaking views and strategically placed balconies amongst rocks and woods. This route is surrounded by unique views of cliffs, forest, whitewater descents, quartz crystals and some of Europe’s endangered species. The path connects Areinho’s river beach to Espiunca’s and in between them is Vau’s river beach. Wherever you may be, this is a path of an immense natural beauty surrounded by oaks, ashes, alders, rocks and the river Paiva is always on your side.

The walkways were designed to provide visitors with the best views and to make it possible to reach spots on foot that were previously impossible to approach. Thus they were conceived to ensure a sense of security and balance with nature. All key points were identified from the start, both in terms of views and of their relationship with the cliffs and the river. They present themselves as a single line that travels through the place, emphasizing all the natural and geological richness of this area and always respecting its landscape.

Photos Credits: Tiago Martins 

Municipality of Arouca website: www.cm-arouca.pt