This trail begins in the village of Almeida, beside the Town Hall. The GRVC can be accessed from inside the village on an unmarked detour (546 m), passing through the double gates of Santo António. The trail follows part of the walls of the Almeida fortress before continuing northwards along Arrabalde de Santo António through the so-called “Lameiros Pardos”, an area of cork oak and holm oak forests. By the Fonte Santa Thermal Complex it is possible to take an unmarked detour to visit the old thermal bathing facilities alongside the river Côa. From here onwards the GRVC continues along the right bank of the river Côa, crossing an extensive area of woods and scattered pastures. At the sight of the first olive trees, the trail draws close to the village of Cinco Vilas, which it crosses before starting to descend along a road towards the river Côa.
When it reaches the bottom of the valley, the trail becomes a pedestrian footpath as far as the Velha do Côa bridge, one of the most impressive ruins of the entire route. The GRVC crosses the river on an unattended pontoon (only possible in spring and summer). From this point it is possible to take unmarked detours to the village of Vale de Madeira and its river beach. The trail climbs the slope towards Pesqueiro, from where it is possible to access the village of Pinhel. Finally, following the Judeu stream and skirting around Barrocal, the trail ends in the village of Quinta Nova, on an unmarked detour (1.8 km).
