The gentle descent to Sintrão takes you past Gruta do Ladrão. This strange toponym, which makes the thief a prey to himself (because he hid in a place from where he could not escape), evokes the ancient relevance of the Roman road that linked Trancoso to Sintrão. There are still two more climbs to go, through patches of pine forest and granite massifs, until reaching the valley of the Távora River. In the lagoons formed next to the old bridge over the Távora River, we wonder how a river can flow between so many stone obstacles. 7 km ahead, at Ponte do Abade, the Távora is already an adult river, with well-defined steep banks and a constant bed. In just a few metres, before our eyes, the river changes from childhood to adulthood. The last section is demanding, but it is worth climbing to the Seara and Tinoco farms to discover that the slopes leading up to Sernancelhe are inhabited by a unique community of ancient chestnut trees, centuries-old trees that will remain after all the ways have been exhausted. At Sernancelhe, go to the parish church and behold the oldest sculptural representation of apostle St. James in Portugal.
