On a sunny and warm Saturday, March 28, approximately one thousand people gathered in Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal to officially launch GR38 – Grande Roto Do Muradal-Pangeia as the newest section of the Trilho Internacional dos Apalaches.
Joining the crowd were Geopark President Armindo Jacinto, Oleiros Municipal President Fernando Marques Jorge, Turismo Centro Portugal President Pedro Machado, Naturtejo Geopark Geologist and IAT Portugal President Carlos Carvalho, Canadian Counsellor and Consul David Marion, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IAT Spain President Ruth Hernandez.
After opening ceremonies at the Idanha-a-Nova town square
the crowd – which was supplied with IAT Portugal branded hats and walking sticks – walked to the nearby trail in the Portuguese Appalachians.
Once at the trail, they were met by a stone age acting troupe who urged them on with primitive grunts and the incessant sound of traditional drum beats.
An estimated 1,000 people then joined organizers on a walk of the new section of IAT
including Canadian Counsellor and Consul David Marion.
One stop along the way included a signpost with direction and distance to L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland (near the end of the IAT in Canada) and an interpretive panel dedicated to the Cantino Planisphere, a Portuguese world map created in 1502 which includes southern Greenland and eastern Newfoundland, explored by Portuguese brothers Gaspar and Miguel Corte Real in 1500-1501.
Other panels describe geological features and their connection to the Appalachians.
After a pleasant day walking the IAT across Portugal’s Appalachians
the day ended with a traditional outdoor feast and a good night’s sleep!
