Minho & North Portugal
Portugal Hiking + Walking Tours
Explore the Minho & Lima River
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1163 Rates
Overview
Considered one of Portugal's best-kept secrets, Minho is a surprising and unique destination with a heritage older than the country itself. It is said that Portugal was born here.
It is a lush, green landscape of vineyards, picturesque river valleys, and farmlands, encompassing all that is Portugal.
You will explore Alto Minho on foot, walking through its most prominent towns. As you follow the water both of rivers and sea, your route leads towards the romantic Ponte de Lima on the banks of the Rio Lima.
Delve into the rich tapestry of Alto Minho, where nature, heritage, and history converge to create an unforgettable experience.
Highlights
- Minho River Valley
- Melgaço, the northernmost town in Portugal
- The routes of vinho verde
- Historic Valença do Minho
- Minho gastronomy and Portuguese wine
- Beautiful Viana do Castelo
- Ponte de Lima
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Itinerary
Day 1: Melgaço
Day 2: Melgaço - Monção, 11 mi. (18 km)
Day 3: Monção - Valença, 12 mi. (20 km)
Day 4: Valença - Vila Nova de Cerveira, 10 mi. (16 km)
Day 5: Vila Nova de Cerveira - Vila Praia de Âncora, 15 mi. (24 km)
Day 6: Vila Praia de Âncora - Viana do Castelo, 12 mi. (20 km)
Day 7: Viana do Castelo - Ponte de Lima: 20 km or (26 km to the City center); optional transfer and loop route, 11 mi. (17 km)
Day 8: DepartureDay 1: Melgaço
Your hiking journey starts in Melgaço, a city in the north of Portugal, on the banks of the Minho River. It is a small town, very beautiful and historic, overseen by the Tower of Homage, located high up in the old medieval town. It overlooks the beautiful Minho valley, filled with vineyards, that surrounds Melgaço and the nearby Peneda Geres park. Included is an introductory meeting with our local partner including tour presentation and explanation.Accommodtion: Reguengos de Melgaço Farm
Day 2: Melgaço - Monção, 11 mi. (18 km)
The Minho River Valley is famous for its beautiful landscapes, history, gastronomy, and the well-known, and much appreciated green wine, Alvarinho. The sloping valleys here are conducive to the practice of agriculture and viticulture. Several archaeological sites testify to the passage of different people and cultures through these lands. The major part of your walk today features the Minho Ecopista, an old railway section. The routes of “vinho verde” which connect these two villages are a favorite of walkers and cyclists and lead through a landscape that is also green, divided into small plots that occupy the whole Minho region. Take the opportunity to visit the Alvarinho museum and taste the well-known wine.Accommodation: Convento dos Capuchos
Day 3: Monção - Valença, 12 mi. (20 km)
The route between Monção to Valence will once again feature the Minho Ecopist surrounded mostly by florets and nature. Along, the way, the major part of the road is paved, and the highest point at 64 m. Valença, also known as Valença do Minho, is your day's destination. This historic town in the north of Portugal is located on the border with Spain and separated by the beautiful Minho River. The village sits on a hilltop and is surrounded by ramparts. During the Middle Ages, Valença’s hilltop position and privileged view over the River Minho were vital to protecting Portugal from invasion by its northern neighbors. The Fortress, a gothic and baroque masterpiece, raised between the XVII and XVIII century, served to defend the population. The history and beauty of the region, combined with the gastronomy and delightful wine will complete your experience. The most typical dishes are the roasted lamb and the codfish known in the “Minho” gastronomy.Accommodation: Pousadas de Valença
Day 4: Valença - Vila Nova de Cerveira, 10 mi. (16 km)
The path today is easy, featuring a public pedestrian walkway, and is flat all the way to Vila Nova de Cerveira. If you like fishing, you can take some time to visit the Aquamuseum to see more than 40 different species that live in the Minho River or visit the National Museum of Architecture to see the treasure from Quinta de Água Branca.Accommodation: Inatel Cerveira
Day 5: Vila Nova de Cerveira - Vila Praia de Âncora, 15 mi. (24 km)
Departing from Vila Nova de Cerveira, the route continues to follow the river to the Atlantic ocean all the way to Vila Praia de Âncora. You pick up the coastal route of the Camino de Santiago. Take the opportunity to visit the São Bento Chapel built around the XIX Century and a place of devotion for many pilgrims that pass here. The lighthouse of Montedor and the Dolmen of Barrosa are great places for pictures.Accommodation: Hotel Meira
Day 6: Vila Praia de Âncora - Viana do Castelo, 12 mi. (20 km)
Today, the walk continues to follow the Santiago Coast Camino, like the previous day this path is flat with some cobblestone and dirt roads. During the day you will come across forts and windmills, such as the Dog´s Fort dated 1702 and mainly used to defend the coast from the pirates.Today's destination is Viana do Castelo. One of the most beautiful seaside cities in the north of Portugal. Viana was critical to Portugal in the Age of the Discoveries. This city has a deep connection with the sea showcased during the great festivity of “Nossa Senhora da Agonia”. It was also here that the ships were built and later deployed to Brazil, India, Africa, and other Portuguese colonies (14th and 15th centuries). Take a moment to visit the Catedral of Viana, a gothic masterpiece built in the first half of the XV century. To eat, the codfish at Zé do Pipo is highly recommended, as this is a famous dish that you can only taste in this place.
Accommodation: Melo Alvim
Day 7: Viana do Castelo - Ponte de Lima, 11 mi. (20 km ) or 16 mi. (26 km) to the city center, optional transfer, and loop route, 11 mi. (17 km)
The route you follow today will be on stone pavement or paved roads. The major part of this day will be passed in the forests of the Ecovia of Lima River. The destination is Ponte de Lima, one of the most charming towns of northern Portugal. It is also one of the oldest, with a charter from 1125. Its bridge over the Lima River, built by the Romans in the first century, has always been a place of passage for the pilgrims who are going to Santiago. Your accommodations will be near the Bertiandos Lagoons where there are several marked walking areas that are on the route provided by us. NOTE: If you don’t choose the transfer on this day, you might consider an extra night in this area.Accommodation: Casa da Lage
Day 8: Ponte de Lima
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Map
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in carefully selected 4-star accommodations. On each day’s details you will find the name of the preferred hotel. You overnights feature convents, pousadas, and lovely hotels.
Inclusions
What’s Included
Self Guided:
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfast
- 6 light picnics
- Airport transfers from/to Porto Airport
- Train or bus tickets back to Porto
- GPS (one per booking) or GPS tracks
- Route descriptions & maps
- Bag & water bottle
- Luggage transfer (leave luggage at hotel reception between 8:00 am and 8:30 am to ensure delivery at 2 pm to the next accommodation)
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfast
- 6 light picnics
- Airport transfers from/to Porto
- Train or bus tickets back to Porto
- Van support
- Route descriptions
- Bag & water bottle
- Complimentary tee shirt
- Luggage transfer (leave luggage at hotel reception between 8:00 am and 8:30 am to ensure delivery at 2 pm to the next accommodation)
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfast
- 6 lunches
- 6 dinners
- Airport transfers from/to Porto
- Train or bus tickets back to Porto
- Van support
- Route descriptions
- Bag & water bottle
- Complimentary tee shirt
- Luggage transfer (leave luggage at hotel reception between 8:00 am and 8:30 am to ensure delivery at 2 pm to the next accommodation)
Guided
Guided Plus
What’s Not Included
- Gratuities for the guide if applicable
- Meals not indicated as included
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2024
Daily departures
Self Guided*
Min. 1 participant requiredGuided**
Min. 8 participants requiredGuided Plus**
Min. 8 participants requiredSingle Supplement Low season
November 1 to March 25$ 1936 £ 1013 $ 1,737 € 1163 kr 178292 ₪ 4786 ¥ 198547 Mex$ 21656 NZ$ 2127 NOK 13973 zł 5120 S$ 1729 kr 13893 $ 1,272 $ 2725 £ 1425 $ 2,445 € 1637 kr 250958 ₪ 6736 ¥ 279468 Mex$ 30482 NZ$ 2994 NOK 19667 zł 7207 S$ 2433 kr 19556 $ 1,790 $ 3814 £ 1995 $ 3,422 € 2291 kr 351218 ₪ 9427 ¥ 391118 Mex$ 42660 NZ$ 4190 NOK 27525 zł 10086 S$ 3405 kr 27368 $ 2,505 $ 499 £ 261 $ 448 € 300 kr 45991 ₪ 1234 ¥ 51216 Mex$ 5586 NZ$ 549 NOK 3604 zł 1321 S$ 446 kr 3584 $ 328 Regular season
March 26 to June 25 and September 26 to October 31$ 2103 £ 1100 $ 1,886 € 1263 kr 193622 ₪ 5197 ¥ 215619 Mex$ 23518 NZ$ 2310 NOK 15174 zł 5560 S$ 1877 kr 15088 $ 1,381 $ 2892 £ 1512 $ 2,594 € 1737 kr 266288 ₪ 7147 ¥ 296540 Mex$ 32344 NZ$ 3177 NOK 20869 zł 7647 S$ 2582 kr 20750 $ 1,900 $ 3981 £ 2082 $ 3,571 € 2391 kr 366549 ₪ 9839 ¥ 408190 Mex$ 44522 NZ$ 4373 NOK 28726 zł 10527 S$ 3554 kr 28563 $ 2,615 $ 548 £ 286 $ 491 € 329 kr 50437 ₪ 1354 ¥ 56167 Mex$ 6126 NZ$ 602 NOK 3953 zł 1448 S$ 489 kr 3930 $ 360 High Season
September 1 to September 25$ 2269 £ 1187 $ 2,036 € 1363 kr 208953 ₪ 5609 ¥ 232691 Mex$ 25380 NZ$ 2493 NOK 16375 zł 6001 S$ 2026 kr 16282 $ 1,491 $ 3058 £ 1599 $ 2,744 € 1837 kr 281619 ₪ 7559 ¥ 313612 Mex$ 34206 NZ$ 3359 NOK 22070 zł 8088 S$ 2730 kr 21945 $ 2,009 $ 4147 £ 2169 $ 3,720 € 2491 kr 381879 ₪ 10250 ¥ 425262 Mex$ 46384 NZ$ 4555 NOK 29928 zł 10967 S$ 3702 kr 29758 $ 2,724 $ 599 £ 313 $ 538 € 360 kr 55189 ₪ 1481 ¥ 61459 Mex$ 6703 NZ$ 658 NOK 4325 zł 1585 S$ 535 kr 4301 $ 394 Summer Season
June 26 to August 30$ 2353 £ 1230 $ 2,110 € 1413 kr 216618 ₪ 5814 ¥ 241227 Mex$ 26311 NZ$ 2584 NOK 16976 zł 6221 S$ 2100 kr 16880 $ 1,545 $ 3142 £ 1643 $ 2,818 € 1887 kr 289284 ₪ 7765 ¥ 322148 Mex$ 35137 NZ$ 3451 NOK 22671 zł 8308 S$ 2805 kr 22542 $ 2,064 $ 4231 £ 2212 $ 3,795 € 2541 kr 389544 ₪ 10456 ¥ 433798 Mex$ 47315 NZ$ 4647 NOK 30528 zł 11187 S$ 3777 kr 30355 $ 2,779 $ 649 £ 340 $ 582 € 390 kr 59788 ₪ 1605 ¥ 66581 Mex$ 7262 NZ$ 713 NOK 4686 zł 1717 S$ 580 kr 4659 $ 427 *Solo traveler supplement (will apply to the self-guided tour for bookings of one): $ 333 £ 174 $ 299 € 200 kr 30661 ₪ 823 ¥ 34144 Mex$ 3724 NZ$ 366 NOK 2403 zł 881 S$ 297 kr 2389 $ 219 **Guided and guided plus tour dates are on request only. If you are interested in either/or the guided or guided plus version, we can check to see if there are other bookings on any given date. If you have the minimum number of participants in your own group, we will check the availability of a guide and support vehicle.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
The majority of the tour is on flat terrain on a mix of paved and dirt roads. 1st, 2nd, and 4th days have between 190 meters and 170 meters of uphill hiking.
Airport Info
Fly to Porto International Airport (OPO)
Local Travel
Airport transfers from Porto are included in your tour price. You will be met at the airport by our local representative.
Climate
Portugal’s climate is influenced by both its position at the south-western tip of Europe and its proximity to the Atlantic and Mediterranean. There is some variation between regions. In general, this means warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. Be sure to check regional weather forecasts before your arrival.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements, and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour types
Self-guided: You hike on your own without a guide or van support and are provided maps, route descriptions, and pre-loaded GPS device or GPS tracks to upload to your own personal device. Assistance is a phone call away.
Guided: You hike in a group with a guide and with van support. Light picnics are provided.
Guided plus: You hike in a group with a guide and support vehicle. Six lunches and six dinners are also included in your tour price.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Top Bike Tours Portugal.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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