Paiva walkways are a phenomenon and are back – publico

             Route along the River Paiva reopens to visitors.
 
           

On Monday, the walkways of Paiva, Arouca, eight-kilometer route along the left bank of the river, reopen to the public after a fire in September have forced the abrupt closure. At that time, it was felt by well think of the high turnout of about 200 000 visitors received in two and a half months of operation. The fire engulfed 600 meters of walkways, which forced an intervention in this area and, at the same time to rethink the access path that received a daily average of 7,000 visitors.

Now, access is limited to 3500 people a day, they have to pay one euro, making appointment in the site www.passadicosdopaiva.pt, and submit the reservation employees which are the three entries installed in the route. The Arouca population has free entry on presentation of a residence permit which costs 2.50 euros, excluding VAT, and is valid for three years. Until the reopening had been ordered more than 500 cards.

There are other changes in walkways. A stretch of about a kilometer, in the area of ​​Areinho to the waterfall of Aguieiras, remains freely accessible. The bathing area of ​​the Ford now has toilets and Espiunca and Areinho parking for 400 vehicles on each side.

The village of Arouca felt on the skin and pockets, the demand from Paiva walkways and was no longer the same. Cafes and restaurants full, more rented rooms, most hotel reservations in the town and other municipalities around more business in petrol stations, more trips to the taxi drivers. Gangways exceeded the best of the best expectations and traders are grateful.

“The walkways are well grounded, came a lot of people outside, the taxi drivers were working around the clock, made up business selling fruit, pastries.” Esmeralda de Oliveira, former primary school teacher, now owns a craft shop in the village, says that their eyes saw last summer. “A move out of range. To the village was very good, it was an event, “he says.

Paula Cristina, employed in snack bar on the main avenue of Arouca, confirms. The terrace of the hotel where she works has never had so many people. “We feel a change, many people took advantage of that tide, it was a novelty, and had work that we never had in other years,” he says.

 

 After the fire and the closure of the footbridges, the village became more deserted. “We hope that from now is as in the previous year because it is good for the earth. We get to know the culture, crafts, cuisine and all the products are here, are great. ” Francisco Freitas has a restaurant and when we saw shoes and backpacks already knew where they came from. We came to have a full house for several days.

“It was madness, a lot of people out, they asked us what was going on in Arouca, because there was no food,” he recalls. The flood of outsiders was a good help for your business that lived complicated days. Therefore hopes that this time again soon.

Jorge Teixeira works in a butcher with a showcase for the Avenida 25 de Abril. Many people stopped him at the door to ask the way to the catwalks. “Every day was like a show. There was a lot of movement, it was something out of this world, “he says. The butcher recognized the grandeur of the work along the shore of Paiva, was surprised with the result. “Knowing the terrain is unusual.”