NORTHERN PORTUGAL HIGHLIGHTS

MINHO

SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE VINEYWARDS

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture of Northern Portugal. Your adventure begins in the heart of Peneda-Gerês National Park, where you'll be enchanted by cozy village life surrounded by majestic mountains. Trek along ancient trails, crossing Iberian wolf territory and panoramic vistas that will leave you breathless. Explore the enchanting terraced village of Sistelo, a hidden gem with its cascading slopes and rich history. Then, follow the tranquil Rio Vez, immersing yourself in the soothing sounds of nature. Indulge in the flavors of the region with a tantalizing Vinho Verde tasting along the Lima River, before diving into the maritime charm of Viana do Castelo.

But the adventure doesn't stop there! Wander along the picturesque coast to Vila Praia de Âncora, where ancient rock engravings and historic windmills await discovery. Finally, delve into the pristine wilderness of Alvão Natural Park, before culminating your journey amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Douro Valley, home to some of the world's finest vineyards. With its blend of natural wonders and cultural treasures, Northern Portugal promises an experience like no other.

NORTHERN PORTUGAL HIGHLIGHTS

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

D1 WELCOME TO NORTHERN PORTUGAL

Transfer Porto to Peneda Gerês National Park. Make yourself at home in a cozy village surrounded by mountains. It's the ideal spot to kick off a holiday exploring the best trails in Northern Portugal.

Night Cottage

D2 PENEDA MOUNTAIN | 11KM / +500M/-500M

Hike along old mountain trails, while enjoying the beautiful mountain landscapes and learning more about the incredible Iberian wolf, while exploring its territory. Vultures, wild horses and granite landscapes (shaped by glaciers), local plants are just some Park's highlights.

Night Cottage

D3 VEZ GLACIER VALLEY AND SISTELO| 16KM / +250/-1100

A mountain hike that will lead us to the beautiful village of Sistelo.This enchanting village is renowned for its "socalcos," terraces intricately built into the mountain slopes, overlapping one another and fortified by substantial stone walls.

Night Cottage

D4 RIO VEZ AND SISTELO | 8KM/+350/-350

Embark on a scenic hike along the picturesque River Vez Eco-Trail and Sistelo terraces. The trail follows the course of the river, revealing the beauty of the surrounding nature. As you traverse this path, the tranquil ambiance is complemented by the soothing sound of the flowing river. Take your time to relax.

Night Cottage

D5 PONTE DE LIMA & VINHO VERDE WINE TASTING & VIANA DO CASTELO

Today's walk will be tranquil, along the banks of the Lima River, leading to a “Quinta” that produces Vinho Verde. Enjoy a nice tapas lunch with a tasting and tour. Transfer to the charming Viana do Castelo. Dive into its maritime history and vibrant culture.

Night hotel

D6 COASTAL WALK | 18KM +20/-20 & VIANA DO CASTELO

A tranquil coastal walk to Vila Praia de Âncora fishing village. Along the way, there are some surprises such as prehistoric rock engravings and old windmills. Transfer back to Viana do Castelo

Night hotel

D7 ALVÃO NATURAL PARK GUIDED WALK & DOURO VALLEY | 10KM +20/-20

Morning transfer to Alvão. A hike through breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultural sites, in the natural park that sits between Douro and Minho. Discover lush forests, winding rivers, and charming villages brimming with history. It's an adventure that promises both beauty and heritage! At the end of your walk transfer to Douro valley.

Night Countryside house

D8 DOURO VINEYARDS WALK AND WINE TASTING | 12KM +180/-350

Explore one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions (since 1756). The steep terrace vineyards carved into the mountains create an iconic landscape. Walking between vineyards is the best way to enjoy this amazing region.

End your walk with a relaxing wine tasting.

Night Countryside house

D9 DOURO VALLEY | 9KM |+150/-500

We suggest a short walk through the vineyards, descending from the hill to the Douro River, allowing you to explore Pinhão at your own pace and take your time to visit some wineries (optional). Transfer back to your accommodation.

Night Countryside house

D10 DEPARTURE

After breakfast, end of our services

For a more sustainable journey, we suggest that the trip between Pinhão and Porto be made by train (2h).

This tour was designed by our local guides, Isabel, Carla and Micael.

Like what you see but want some changes? No worries! Just let us know what you're envisioning.

We'll tailor this itinerary to match your unique interests, preferences, and schedule, crafting your dream vacation.

INFO@EXPLOREIBERIA.PT

- Personalized route notes

- 1 Full day guided tour + walk with local guide

- 1 picnic lunch

- Winery visit + Wine tasting

- Navigation app with tracks and day by day itinerary

- 7 nights accommodation with breakfast (countryside house, hotel)

- Transfers D1, D5 and D8

- Luggage transfers max 15kg per person

- 24/7 telephone support

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Landscape diversity
Unique rural heritage
Local gastronomy and wine
Viana do Castelo and Ponte de Lima
Vinho Verde wine tasting
Riverside villages
Camino de Santiago
Sistelo

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

Inspire travelers to live and experience unique moments, designing 100% home-made tours remaining faithful to our core values: authenticity, eco-friendly tourism, off the beaten tracks, handpicking our suppliers and maintaining well established relations with them so supporting local economies and assuring high quality tours to our travelers.
At Explore Iberia we are dedicated to fostering responsible tourism practices to ensure a positive impact on the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage.

Discover how we prioritize sustainable and responsible travel practices.

Environment: Our walking holiday invites travelers to explore the diverse cultures and landscapes of Northern Portugal, from Peneda-Gerês National Park, Montesinho Natural Park, Douro Internacional Natural Park, the UNESCO World Heritage sites Douro and Côa Valley, and other protected areas.

As advocates for low-impact travel, we provide comprehensive guidance on responsible practices, committed with "Leave no Trace", respecting local flora and fauna, and staying on designated trails.

We offer a user-friendly app to replace printed materials like route notes or maps.

All our trips are designed in a way that travelers can reach the trip start from the airport by train or bus.
We incentive travelers to stay more than 8 days when flying to Portugal
All picnic lunches and snacks provided by us are locally grown produce and other Portuguese products, served in reusable or recyclable lunch boxes.
We are directly involved in local conservation projects in Northern Portugal region (ex. are in charge of the maintenance and ecological recovery of a Natural Monument from Geopark Viana do Castelo), we are also partners and actively collaborate in local sustainable tourism network, CETS Alto Minho from Europarc Federation.

On every trip we make a donation of 5 euros per person to a nature conservation project or association.

Community & Social Inclusion

We encourage guests to dine at friendly local restaurants, where they can savor traditional regional dishes and wines.

We promote interactions with local communities by encouraging visits to cafés, bakeries, and craft stores along the route.

When possible, we extended stays, so guests have ample opportunity to immerse themselves in local life and forge meaningful connections with residents.

We actively seek opportunities to support local communities by promoting local employment and investing in social projects.
We prioritize partnerships with local enterprises to strengthen the economies of the communities we visit.

Small scale accommodations, family-run business, local guides are always our choice.
We have a partnership with the employment center, to welcome long-term unemployed people and support them in integrating into working life

You travel, we donate!

During this year when travelling with Explore Iberia you're supporting the work of Manuel Sobrino Senra, "El Naturalista Cojo".

An inspiring example of how passion for nature can overcome physical limitations. His work at El Naturalista Cojo is a valuable source of information about wildlife and the environment in the Minho River estuary. Learn more about his work:

https://elnaturalistacojo.blogspot.com/