Vau

Located roughly halfway along the iconic Paiva Walkways, Vau is a remarkable geosite where the granite of Alvarenga meets ancient metasedimentary rocks, right near the famous suspension bridge, once the site of a traditional ferry crossing between Canelas and Alvarenga.

Here, you’ll find a unique geological formation: hornfels, a rock created over 300 million years ago by the intense heat of granite intrusion. This marks a dramatic change in the landscape. From this point, the Paiva River flows through a broader valley, its force softened by the more erodible rocks below, a clear contrast to the harder granite upstream.

Vau is also where the Ribeiro do Fontão meets the Paiva, cascading down a waterfall that’s perfect for canyoning. It’s a favorite starting point for whitewater sports like rafting, especially for the Vau–Espiunca and Garganta sections of the river.

The surrounding area features a well-preserved riparian forest, home to alders, ashes, and willows. These trees provide shelter for a variety of wildlife, including kingfishers, Lusitanian salamanders, water lizards, butterflies, and dragonflies.