If you’re looking for a stimulating holiday with culture, nature, spectacular scenery and great food and wine that’s a bit off the beaten track, why not come walking in Northern Portugal?
An Introduction to Northern Portugal
The north of Portugal is an area of outstanding natural beauty and our walks are designed to show you the best of the dramatically rich and diverse landscapes. It is a haven for wildlife including wolves, wild ponies and eagles and in its ancient villages you can get a rare taste of life as it has been lived here for centuries. This region was the birthplace of the kingdom of Portugal and is as famous for its historical sites as it is for its port and wine production and gastronomy.
Guided Walking holidays in Northern Portugal
Lima Valley and Peneda National Park
This seven night walk is designed to show you the sheer diversity and beauty of northern Portugal. It starts in the historical seaside town of Viana do Castelo, where our walk along the coast includes visits to ruined forts and Bronze age rock art. From there we head inland along the stikingly beautiful and tranquil Lima valley till we reach Ponte de Lima, the oldest town in Portugal. Our last two days are spent exploring the wild mountainsides and ancient hamlets of the Peneda-Geres National Park. A must for photographers, nature lovers and anyone who wants to get away from it all. The next Lima Valley and Peneda National Park walking holidays start on May 21 and September 24 2016 and cost € euros per person including accommodation, meals, transfers and an experienced group leader. Single room supplement €.
We also have available a self guided tour from the seaside at Viana do Castelo along the Lima valley to Ponte de Lima, visiting sites of historical and ecological interest.
Walking Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
This unusual walk lets you follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims from the untamed beauty of northern Portugal through the lush landscape of Galicia, Spain to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This route is closely associated with St James it is where he first preached in Iberia and where his body was carried on the way to its resting place. The pilgrimage once inspired many medieval songs and poems but today we generally have the path to ourselves. As the ancient way winds through quiet countryside it takes in many picturesque hamlets, medieval towns and villages, cathedrals and rustic churches. The next Lima Valley and Peneda National Park walking holidays start on May 21 and September 24 2016 and cost € euros per person including accommodation, meals, transfers and an experienced group leader. Single room supplement €
Douro Valley
This 8 day holiday let’s you discover the hidden beauty of the Douro valley with some magnificent walking along local trails well away from the usual, tourist spots. We begin in Porto with just enough time to catch your breath, visit the famous Ribeira and a tour of a famous port house. Then we move inland for 5 nights on a working Quinta above the river and where we stay as part of the family before spending 2 nights by the river on the Spanish border. The 2016 dates are May 4th and October 8th and it costs € per person including 7 nights’ accommodation, 7 breakfasts and dinners, 5 picnic lunches, wine tasting and a boat trip. single room supplement €.
Self Guided Walking Tours in Northern Portugal
We also offer the Camino Portugues pilgrimage as a self guided walk.
Douro- From Water to Wine
Highlights of this 6 night walking holiday include fantastic walking through vineyards along hidden trails, discovering the culture and way of life behind the slopes, private wine tastings and a boat trip on the Douro. It is an ideal holiday for walkers wanting not only to explore countryside that just exudes peace, calmness and tranquility but also want to experience something of what this land has to offer – its excellent wines! Vines have been grown here for centuries and the grape rules the hearts of the local people. You will stay on a working Quinta which has been restored to offer modest but comfortable accommodation to its guests and where you become part of the family. You will also be able to see the Douro valley from the water as we have included a fabulous boat trip up stream. This walking holiday costs € per person including 6 nights’ accommodation, 5 picnics, visits to 2 wineries, 6 dinners and comprehensive walking notes and maps. Single room supplement €, single transport supplement if walking alone €.
Montesinho National Park
This holiday is aimed at walkers with a sense of adventure and takes you into one of Europe’s last wildernesses. This park is home to the Iberian wolf and the Spanish Imperial eagle as well as a wide variety of other flora and fauna. The landscape is strikingly beautiful as its stark mountains and granite gorges contrast with the lush valleys, tranquil lakes and abundant wild flowers. You’ll stay at the heart of the park in a restored country house with heated pool and experience life in villages whose way of life has changed little over the centuries. This walking holiday costs € per person in October to April and € in May, June and September including 4 nights’ accommodation, 4 dinners and comprehensive walking notes and maps. Single room supplement €.
Caminho Portugues: Porto to Tui
Today the French Way accounts for over 90% of Pilgrims leaving other routes blissfully uncrowded. Much of the route across northern Portugal follows the orginal Roman military road that connected Portugal with Spain and France and you will pass by Roman milestones, cross Roman bridges and walk through unspoilt countryside where you will meet along your way the warm and welcoming people of north Portugal. This walking holiday costs € per person including 7 nights’ accommodation, luggage transfers and comprehensive walking notes and maps. Single room supplement €, single transport supplement if walking alone €.
The Sparkling North
This 7 night, 2 centred walking holiday takes you across an area that just sparkles! The sea, the river, the mountains and the people – you can share that sparkle and discover an area that has changed little over the centuries. The tour includes stays in Viana do Castelo famed for both its historical centre with fine examples of Renaissance, Manueline and Baroque architecture and coastal setting and pretty Ponte de Lima, Portugal’s oldest town. This walking holiday costs € per person in October to March and € in April, May, June and September including 7 nights’ accommodation, transport to and from Porto, 6 picnic lunches, luggage transfers and comprehensive walking notes and maps. Single room supplement €, single transport supplement if walking alone €.
We are happy to email you full details of any of our walks.
Travelling to Northern Portugal: The main airport in Northern Portugal is located in Porto (aka Oporto) from there we can arrange transport to the start of the walk. If you’re joining the pilgrimage you may like to book your flight back from Santiago in Spain. If you’re interested in a longer walking holiday many of our tours can be easily, and interestingly, combined to show you different aspects of Northern Portugal.
