11 - 15 km
200 - 700 m
8 Days & 7 Nights
UNESCO World Heritage sites
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PARTNERS, CREDENTIALS AND MORE
- Tour Grade
- Distance
10 – 15 km / day
- Profile
Long ascents and descents
- Route
Old unpaved tracks through vineyards, cobbled stone surfaces, narrow paved roads
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Itinerary
Arrival in Porto
Welcome to Portugal!
Our guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel! If you have some free time on the first day, make sure to have a stroll around the city. 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!
Train from Porto to Pinhão
Today the morning can be reserved for discovering a bit more of the city.
The old town, its granitic houses, monuments and narrow streets are an ideal place for a stroll. After, you will go to Pinhão by train and immerse yourself in a journey that takes you inland into the vineyards landscapes. Here, you will notice that the valley slopes are momumental and that an authentic wine culture is present at every moment. The day ends at Pinhão, where you will rest at an old wine farm which awaits you with a welcome drink. Port wine of course!
Hike from Pinhão to Vilarinho São Romão
This morning, you will be crossing through the world that lies behind the wine from 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 Vilarinho or 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 and the dinner is included! Enjoy.
Hike from Vilarinho São Romão to Alijó
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!
Hike from Alijó to Vale de Mendiz
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 neighbouring 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.
Hike from Vale de Mendiz to Pinhão
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 an UNESCO World Heritage site and you will understand why!
Porto | River Cruise
This is the day of return.
A 35-minute transfer will take you to Peso da Régua where you will take a fantastic cruise 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.
(Boat cruise only available from May to October and subject to availability.)
Alternative
Visit at Casa de Mateus + transfer to Porto (all year round)
We start our day with a 35min transfer to Peso da Régua where you can visit the Douro Museum and have some free time to visit the town and taste a typical and tasty lunch included in this day. After that, another transfer will take you to Vila Real to visit Casa de Mateus, an old manor from the late 17th century. The visit includes a tour of the house, gardens, and wineries, and is a good chance to taste the amazing wines from the Douro region. At the end of this wonderful day, we return to Porto to take you to your hotel.
Departure
That's it! Our splendid program comes to an end.
Today, it is time to gather all your memories, luggage, belongings and say goodbye to Portugal. It has been a great adventure and we would love for you to come and discover more of Portugal's Nature Trails.
