Welcome to the best trails for hiking in Portugal and the most stunning! The Portuguese people and others claim that the Douro Valley is the most beautiful wine region in the world and for good reason.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage region, the land is laced with endless olive groves, orange fields, vineyards, and river beaches. Wildlife thrives here. Walls of schist support the climbing, gravity-defying vineyards, constructed over the centuries, each stone laid by hand, creating an astonishing and unique landscape.
A highlight during this tour is that on Day 7, your return to Porto by water, enjoying a Douro River Cruise.
Highlights:
Unesco World Heritage Sites
Oldest wine-producing area in the world
Astonishing Douro cruise
Scenic train trip to Pinhao
Traditional gastronomy and wines from the region
Lace-up your hiking shoes and get ready for spectacular!
Early/late season: January 1 through March 26 and November 1 through December 23, 2020 High season: March 27 through October 31, 2020
Portobay Teatros, 4 star
Early season
Regular season
High season
Twin/double
$123£65$111€75$128kr808$85
$145£77$130€88$150kr948$100
$150£79$135€91$156kr980$103
Single
$222£117$200€135$231kr1454$153
$265£140$238€161$275kr1734$182
$278£147$250€169$289kr1820$191
Early season: January through February 24, 2020 Regular season: February 25 through April 26 & May 27 through August 29 & September 27 through October 31, 2020 High season: April 27 through May 26 & August 30 through September 26 & November 1 through December 23, 2020
Please note, if the Legendary Porto Hotel or the Portobay Teatro are not available, we do have other options we can offer you.
Closest and most convenient international airport to your tour start in Porto is Porto Airport (OPO)
Local Travel
Airport transfers from and to Porto airport are included in your tour price. If you fly to Lisbon, the airport is located quite close to Lisbon center. You can take a taxi or train to the city. Lisbon airport is now connected directly to Lisbon center (Saldahna) by underground metro. If you are continuing onward from the airport to Porto, you can take the Airport metro to Orient station and from there, train to Porto with 0 transfers. Please note that transfers are up to 4 ppl. Supplement may apply for groups larger than 4.
Climate
Portugal has a mild Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sun per year. Did you know that Lisbon is the sunniest European capital with some of Europe’s mildest weather in the winter and pleasant sun-filled summers. The summer season is 6 months long, lasting from May to October, with average temperatures of 25°C (77°F) during the day and 16.2°C (61.2°F) at night. December, January and February are the coldest and rainiest months, with an average daytime temperature during these 3 months of 15°C (60°F) and 9°C (48°F) at night. Please check local conditions before your arrival. A good web site to use to research regional weather conditions is weatherbase.com. Here you will find average high/low temperatures and average rainfall as well.
DOCUMENTS
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) 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 Dates
2020
This tour is available all year round. Self-guided tours can be confirmed for 2 or more Guided tours available for groups of 6 or more. Please do not hesitate to ask if there is an existing group forming on any given date.
Early/late season: January 1 through March 26 and November 1 through December 23, 2020 High season: March 27 through October 31, 2020
Where You’ll Stay
On this tour, you will be accommodated in superior accommodations, consisting of rural tourism or classic/charming 4-star hotels. These establishments have been chosen for their unique atmosphere and superior level of service. Please see each day’s description for the name of the hotel that is generally booked for this tour based on availability. If a hotel is fully booked on any given day, a hotel of equal standard will be booked.
What’s Included
Self-guided
7 nights in superior/charming lodging
Transfer on day of arrival from Porto Airport (OPO) to your first hotel
Welcome briefing in English
Arrival and departure airport transfer (for up to 4 ppl)
Luggage transfer (for 2 - 4 ppl. Supplement applies for more than 4, see pricing)
Transfers during tour as mentioned in daily description
Tour Information (detailed description of daily stages)
Information Book. Delivered on arrival day
GPS device (one per booking of two)
GPS tracks
Mobil phone (free calling to our partner/24 hr a day)
Boat cruise tickets
Dinner on day 3
Guided
7 nights in superior/charming lodging
Arrival/departure airport transfers
Welcome briefing in English
Luggage transfers (except on Day 2)
Transfers during tour as mentioned in daily description
Tour Information (detailed description of daily stages)
4 days guided hiking
Support vehicle
1-day cruise including tickets
Nourishing and energetic picnics on activity days
Daily fruit, energy bars, and water
Train tickets (Day 2)
Transfer hotel to train station in Porto and train station to hotel in Pinhão
Transfer from boat pier to hotel in Porto (Day 7)
Dinner on Day 3, on other nights, dinner can be organized by your guide. Cost not included.
What’s Not Included
Self-guided
All meals other than those specifically mentioned as included
If hiking self-guided, you can add extra days/nights at any accommodation during the tour. For guided cyclists joining a pre-existing group, this may not be possible. If you have an exclusive group, just ask! Of course, extra nights before or after your tour in Porto are always possible and recommended!
Your route follows old unpaved tracks, through vineyards, cobbled stone surfaces, and narrow paved roads. Daily distances are 10 - 15 km with long ascents and descents. Please view the day to day itinerary for exact mileage and elevation information.
Day-To-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Porto Day 2: Train transfer to Pinhāo Day 3: Hike from Pinhão to Sabrosa, 15 km inland Day 4: Hike from Sabrosa to Alijó, 13 km Day 5: Hike from Alijó to Vale de Mendiz, 13 km Day 6: Hike from Vale de Mendiz to Pinhão, 10 km Day 7: Porto | River Cruise Day 8: Departure
Day 1: Arrival to Porto Our guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel! (30 minutes). If you have some free time on the first day, make sure to have a stroll around the city. May we suggest a riverside walk, a fresh fish dinner and a visit to the Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. The opportunities are endless and Porto is an absolutely gorgeous city.
Elevation gain: +800 m Accommodation: Legendary Porto
Day 2: Train transfer to Pinhāo Today, the morning will be reserved for discovering a bit more of the city of Porto. The old town, its granite houses, monuments, and narrow streets are an ideal place for a stroll. After, you will go to Pinhão by train where you can immerse yourself in a journey that takes you inland and into the vineyards. Here, you will notice that the valley slopes are monumental and the wine culture is everywhere. The day ends at Pinhão, where you will rest at an old wine farm that awaits you with a welcome drink. Port wine, of course!
Elevation gain: +500 m Accommodation: Quinta de La Rosa
Day 3: Hike from Pinhão to Sabrosa, 15 km inland This morning, you will be crossing through the world that lies behind the wine from the Douro. The hilly slopes will be a challenge both for wine tasting fans and hikers! The village of Provosende is along the way and its old manor houses will be a pleasant stop. It makes for a stunning view and is a perfect moment for photograph lovers! As you cross the plateau, you will observe some superb vineyard scenery and small villages with some old paths that will take you to Sabrosa; home of Ferdinand Magellan, one of the most known navigators of the 16th century. This place will be your home as well, for the night.
Elevation gain: +800 m Accommodation: Casa dos Barros
Day 4: Hike from Sabrosa to Alijó, 13 km On this day, you will find yourself crossing the vineyards and going down the slopes to meet the Pinhão River. The scenery will be a composition of olive trees and vines on terraces that give you the sensation of the rustic life and labor. On the way to Favaios, you will pass by the estate known as Quinta da Pedra Alta, a place that has earned medals in an international wine contest. The small village of Favaios is known for its famous wine (Favaios wine) and its old bakeries, which still use wood ovens and date back to the late 19th century. You must taste some Favaios wine!
Elevation gain: +500 m Accommodation: Pousada Pal. Alijó
Day 5: Hike from Alijó to Vale de Mendiz, 13 km This day starts on the hill over Alijó, where there is an iron settlement from the 1st century (B.C.). After, you will pass by Favaios and cross the vineyards of its famous wine. What a pleasant experience! As you follow some old trains between the farmland, you will arrive at a wonderful viewpoint that overlooks the wine terraces, the Pinhão River and the neighboring small villages that are hugged by the valleys. An unmissable view. Vale Mendiz will be expecting you this night and lies just slightly above of the Pinhão River.
Elevation gain: +250 m Accommodation: Quinta do Silva
Day 6: Hike from Vale de Mendiz to Pinhão, 10 km After a delicious breakfast, a small hike will be waiting for you this morning! Today, you will walk over the Douro River and beyond, as you will head south, east and west. However, lets put the compasses away and remember to enjoy and appreciate this incredible scenery of curving vineyards that shift from green to brown. When you are back in Pinhão it will be time to take a boat trip and discover other places along the shores of the Douro. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and you will understand why!
Elevation gain: +300 Accommodation: Quinta de la Rosa
Day 7: Porto | River Cruise A 35-minute transfer will take you to Peso da Régua where you can take a boat back to the magical city of Porto. It is a wonderful boat ride and the views are truly inspiring. You will spend the day cruising the river back into the main city and admiring the surroundings of the river bank. Appetizers and lunch will be served on board while you enjoy the view! Arrive at the Vila Nova de Gaia pier where you can enter a wine cellar just across the street (optional) and, when you have become a professional at tasting wine, you can finally walk back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Legendary Porto
Day 8: Departure All good things come to an end and this is the official last day of your
If hiking self-guided, you can add extra days/nights at any accommodation during the tour.
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