Walking Holiday in Northern Portugal

Day 1 - Fly London to Porto

The group flight will be met at Porto airport by the guide and transferred north to the Montalegre region. This remote and beautiful area is close to the Spanish border and dominated by dramatic, granite topped peaks. The area is recognised by the UN as a Globally Important Agricultural heritage system and ancient farming traditions continue to shape daily life. Outiero, your home for the next two nights is in a beautiful traditional village situated in the Peneda Geres national park, nestling above the reservoir. Depending on flight times, the rest of the day is free for you to relax in the hotel, walk around the village or swim in the outdoor pool (cold but refreshing!)

Dinner is included tonight at the hotel. The delicious food is cooked by the local couple who have built the hotel and whose families have lived in the village for generations.

Overnight: Case Albelo Do Geres Or Similar

Day 2 - Circular walk – ‘Trilho dos Miradouros’ 13km/8 miles. 624m ascent and descent, approximately 6 hours.

The walk today starts and ends at your accommodation and begins by winding its way up the granite cobbles of the stunning village. Life continues here as it has for centuries. You may well see women washing clothes in the communal village tank, driving cows out to pasture, tending vegetables or chatting on their mobile phones! Leaving the village you join beautiful ancient trails, often lined with oak and chestnut trees and linking the verdant green pastures. After passing the neighbouring village of Panada, you climb to the first viewpoint before contouring along a valley with wild heathery hillsides and granite topped mountains. At the head of the valley you encounter your first wolf trap. This astonishing feat of engineering can be visited before you contour uphill on a smaller path to the second viewpoint where you will probably stop for your picnic lunch. The narrow path descends towards the lake with beautiful views before passing an old mill and a short sharp ascent to the hotel.

Either tonight or in the morning you should have the opportunity to visit the traditional fumeiro or smokehouse where Miguel produces the amazing hams and sausages that he serves in the hotel.

Dinner will be eaten in the hotel tonight and is not included in the price of your holiday.

Overnight: Case Albelo Do Geres Or Similar

Day 3 - Road transfer – 20km. Walk ‘Trilho dos Pocos Verdes’ 10.4km/6½ miles, approximately 6 hours. Drive to Chaves - 73 km, 1½ hours.

Today you leave the Casa Abelo to drive to the tiny village of Xertelo. Here you will visit another wolf trap of a different design and take in wonderful views of the valley below. The walk then follows climbs up through the old village passing the ruins of an old mill before following the course of an ancient water channel. The channel is still used by the village, but the water now flows through a buried pipe. The path is delightful to walk along as it gradually contours uphill high above the valley of the Cabril river. You may well see wild horses and goats grazing on the hillsides. As you ascend you start to get glimpses of the pools in the river far below. After a short distance on a sandy track you reach you destination, the beautiful green, translucent pools of the Pocos Verdes or Sete Lagoas (seven lagoons). Here you can stop for lunch and a swim or paddle before re-tracing your steps and descending back to Xertelo.

You will leave the wilds of the Geres mountains to drive to Chaves. The town is attractively situated on a plain between mountains with the Spanish border a short distance away.

Overnight: Forte De S. Francisco Or Similar, Chaves

Day 4 - A short 11 km road transfer. Walk the ‘Trilho da Ecovia Internacional do Tamega e Corgo’, 14km/8miles 300m ascent and descent, 4 hours walking.

A complete contrast today as your flatish linear walk starts from the small village of Vilela do Tamega and ends back at your hotel in Chaves. The peaceful path descends past pine trees to join the old railway line and unfolds along the gentle course of the Tamega river. The riverside scenery is lush and tranquil, with Oak, Strawberry and Cork trees lining the path. After crossing the river on an old railway bridge, you pass sleepy villages and an old abandoned railway station, to cross on an ancient stone bridge. From here onwards you are walking level with the beautiful river. For the final part of the walk into the town of Chaves you are following the route of medieval pilgrims as the trail joins the Portuguese Inland Way of Santiago.

You will stop by the river for a picnic lunch before completing the final stretch to reach the Roman bridge of Trajan. This remarkable structure is still in use today for pedestrians to cross the river. Once across the bridge you are in the historic centre of Chaves and five minutes walk takes you back to your hotel.

The rest of the day you are free to explore Chaves. It is well worth visiting the well-preserved Roman bath house complex, in an excellent free museum or the remains of Chaves Castle. You may prefer to wander the streets which are lined with cafes and restaurants. Or visit the thermal spa (booking required, your guide can help with this)

Your guide can also help you with dinner reservations if you prefer to eat in one of the many restaurants in Chaves.

Overnight: Forte De S. Francisco Or Similar, Chaves

Day 5 - Short road transfer. Circular walk ‘Trilho dos Moinhos de Sao Lourenco. 9km/5.6miles, 394m ascent/descent, approximately 4 hours walking. Visit a traditional Ham Café.

A short road transfer takes you into the hills above Chaves. From the small village of Sao Lourenco you will walk through the farms on the edge of the village to the hamlet of Cela. This hamlet has some beautiful old houses and a church and wash house. You descend on small paths through terraced fields and olive groves to cross a medieval bridge and descend on a small road to reach the viewpoint which gives excellent views of the whole Chaves valley. The remains of the old Roman road descend to hidden waterfalls and a beautiful old mill.

You then ascend to the village of Sao Lourenco, passing the old church, to reach the Zeca Moura, Casa dos Presuntos. This is a traditional Ham House, and you will be served in the cool, atmospheric cellar café (Do not be put off by the noisy football bar that first greets you!). Lunch will be a simple meal of delicious ham, cheese, olives and bread with locally produced wine.

After a short drive back to Chaves you are free to relax or continue exploring this historic old town.

Overnight: Forte De S. Francisco Or Similar, Chaves

Day 6 - Transfer to Alijo, Douro – 1 hour drive. Walk ‘Trilho does Passadicos de Sar Marmede - 10km/6miles, 423m ascent /descent.

You leave Chaves today to drive to the beautiful Alto Douro region. As the rocks start to change from granite to schist, vineyards appear on the hilly landscape in every direction. The sheer volume is amazing! You stop at the small village of San Lourenco where you cross a Roman bridge to access the remarkable wooden walkway. This descends for about 300m down the gorge, replacing the small vertiginous paths that the villagers used to access their small terraces. The terraces are covered in oranges and olive trees, some of which are still cultivated. As you descend past cliffs, lush vegetation, waterfalls and natural pools, the lake comes into view below. You will probably stop for your picnic lunch by the lake. A beautiful path contours along the lakeside before a few metres on tarmac road where you join the small path that winds uphill to the village. There are beautiful views from this path that climbs uphill through olive groves. Once you reach the village you continue uphill on the roman road to reach the viewpoint of Ujo. From here there are stunning views of the dramatic Tua valley. After descending back to the village, you will drive to your hotel in Alijo.

Overnight: Forrester Essence Duoro Hotel Or Similar, Alijo

Day 7 - Short road transfer – 15km. Circular half day walk from Pinhao. Wine tour with tasting and boat trip.

The short drive from Alijo to Pinhao is spectacular as you wind your way down through vineyard covered hills. From the centre of the bustling tourist centre of Pinhao, you soon leave the crowds to walk uphill on small tracks and paths through the heart of the vineyards. As you gain height there are amazing views of the river and bridge far below. The small traditional village of Casal de Loivos is reached after about an hour. The viewpoint at the top of the village is over historic wine estates, patches of traditional forest and of course the beautiful river winding through the valley far below. The descent is gradual, down small paths that contour around the hillsides. You will be tempted to stop every few minutes for yet another photo.

On reaching Pinhao you cross a small side river to reach the Quita da Foz, a traditional wine estate that still uses their huge traditional granite baths for squashing the grapes by foot. After visiting the estate you will have a wine tasting and candlelit picnic in the huge old barn where they store the port in vast mahogany barrels. This is a wonderful experience with delicious traditional food and wine.

Following this you will have a short boat trip on a traditional rabelo boat. This is a popular activity but worth it for the amazing views of the vineyards from the river. And very relaxing after your walk and wine-tasting.

You will be driven back to your hotel for the evening.

Overnight: Forrester Essence Duoro Hotel Or Similar, Alijo

Day 8 - Short transfer to Pinhao station. Take the train to Porto. Transfer to hotel. At leisure.

The train station in Pinhao is considered one of the most beautiful in Portugal. Its 24 azulejo panels tell the story of port wine, depicting the landscapes and daily life of the Douro valley. Built in the 19th century, the station played a key role in wine transportation, replacing the rabelo boats. After waving goodbye to your guide at the railway station, you travel along the river westwards, with beautiful views of the river. The train stops at various small stations all serving the wine estates. On arrival in Porto you will be met and taken to your hotel.

You are then free to explore the bustling and fascinating town of Porto.

Overnight: H F Fenix Hotel Or Similar, Porto

Day 9 - Transfer to Porto airport and fly back to the UK.

After breakfast there will be a group transfer to the airport ready for your flight home. If the flight is later in the day, you can leave you luggage in the hotel while you continue to explore Porto.