The Salinas de Rio Maior are located about 3 km from the city center and are located in a valley at the foot of the Serra dos Candeeiros, in the heart of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park. Classified as a Property of Public Interest since December 1997, these are the only inland salt pans in Portugal, and the only ones that are fully operational in Europe. The first reference to its existence dates from 1177, but it is thought that the use of rock salt would have been made since prehistoric times.

Translated by

•

𝘼𝘾 🏕️

May 10, 2025

Mountain biking

Salt is extracted from compartments – pits – made of cement or stone, of varying sizes and shallow depths, to which salt water is taken from a well through irrigation channels.

Currently, the water is raised by means of a motor and distributed according to a system that is jointly accepted and respected (not always) by all the owners. The sewers, threshing floors and wooden houses for storing salt complete the set of what is called the Salt Mines of Rio Maior.

Translated by

•

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Routes here

Best Mountain Biking Routes to Rio Maior Salt Pans

riders

1. Memory Arch – Rio Maior Salt Pans loop from Batalha

97.5km

08:14

1,820m

Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

3.0

(1)

riders

2. Terra Chã Viewpoint – Rio Maior Salt Pans loop from Rio Maior

30.6km

02:25

510m

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

riders

3. Old Public Fountain of Cercal – Rio Maior Salt Pans loop from Rio Maior

54.6km

04:10

530m

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 130 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 1 February

17°C

12°C

95 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See routes here

Take Me There

Add komoot as a preferred source in your Google results

Add now

Location: Rio Maior, Santarém, Portugal

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Barragem de Alvorninha

Poço Suão Singletrack (Alcobaça)

Parque Eólico da Serra dos Candeeiros

Ecopista da Bezerra

Antiga Fonte Pública do Cercal

Palácio Pina Manique

Restaurante Cooperativa Terra Chã

Old Water Mill

Salinas de Rio Maior

View of the Northern Side of Cercal

Casais da Serra

Rio Maior Salt Pans

1. Memory Arch – Rio Maior Salt Pans loop from Batalha

2. Terra Chã Viewpoint – Rio Maior Salt Pans loop from Rio Maior

3. Old Public Fountain of Cercal – Rio Maior Salt Pans loop from Rio Maior

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️