Porto District

Hiking

Cross the Worlds Longest Suspension Footbridge - the Arouca 516 - and walk the Paiva Walkways, considered one of the most beautiful trails in the world (seven kilometers). Restore your energy with a delicious traditional lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon at Aveiro, the so-called “Portuguese Venice” and traverse the canals on a boat trip. Wander through the old quarter to see the main Art Nouveau buildings, the fish market, and taste one of the city's delicacies, soft eggs. Last but not the least, see the famous haystacks of Costa Nova. Discover the magnificent fishing village with its wooden houses in bright striped colors.

Explore the natural history, ancient heritage and beautiful nature of Peneda-Gerês National Park on a day trip from Porto, Guimarães or Braga. Following pick-up from your hotel, drive to the lush woodlands to hike through the only national park in the Norte region of Portugal. Marvel at the mountains as you hike in a small group for a more intimate experience. Walk along centuries-old paths that cut through the woods and reach amazing viewpoints along the way. Encounter the remains of ancient settlements and of the Roman Geira road from Braga to Astorga. Swim in the clear waters of the mountain waterfalls or soak in hot springs used by the Romans, depending on the weather. See newborn baby horses in the woods or marvel at the colors of the fall leaves, according to the season.

Head to Gerês National Park on this 10-hour excursion from Porto. Stop for coffee along the way, before arriving at the park. From June to September, enjoy an 8-kilometer hike that takes you past 10 magnificent natural pools (from November to May, the hike will be 10 kilometers long). Stop to enjoy a refreshing swim along the way. Once you reach the heart of the Park, enjoy a picnic as you admire the stunning views around you. A small picnic will be provided, but if everyone brings something to share, it will be more of a feast.  After taking in the views and fresh air, you’ll return to Porto.

Depart from the convenient meeting point in Porto and head to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only national park in Portugal and the best place to go for a hike. Travel around 1.5 hours from Porto along with your experienced guide as you head to the heart of the park to a trail designed to be a bit tougher but much better than other trails. Embark on an 11km circular track with 700m elevation gain (350m uphill and 350m downhill) on an uneven terrain, something much more challenging than a normal hiking trail. Take in views of the national park’s lagoons, the Cascata do Arado waterfall, and villages as you go. Midway through the trail, stop for a well-deserved picnic in a fantastic spot with stunning views of the surrounding scenery. Afterwards, begin the ascent and end the trip with a drop-off back in Porto.

Begin your day with a convenient pick-up from your hotel followed by a 1.5-hour drive to the start of this great trail. Your personal guide will give you great insights about life in Portugal and ways and traditions of making the way to the Paiva Walkway go by in a flash. The hike along the river will be filled with geologic, natural and archeological interest located in the most beautiful locations.  After this 3-hour hike, a great lunch will be required and there is nowhere better to have a great lunch than in this region. Taste the best meat in Portugal at Alvarenga, famous for its 'posta arouquesa,' a delightful piece of grilled beef that will make you regain all your stamina. End your day with a tasting of a typical local liquor called Pinguça. Experience the best nature and gastronomy Portugal has to offer.

After a pick-up from your hotel in the morning, you will travel in a climate-controlled minivan towards the amazing Peneda-Gerês National Park. Arrive at the foot of the mountains and catch a glimpse of the wonderful Albufeira da Caniçada, where the beautiful Cávado River lies. Then, start your way up into the mountains while admiring the surrounding nature.  Enjoy the journey and admire the local fauna and flora, stop at the amazing old village, Vilarinho das Furnas, now submersed in water. Then, head to Mata da Albergaria, the most protected area in the park, for a easy hike to view some wonderful lagoons. Near Gerês village, it is time to feast on a delicious picnic lunch. Eating in one of the many available locations is a way of taking advantage of the beautiful nature.  Be amazed with the Pedra Bela viewpoint, situated 800 meters above sea level. From this height, you'll have the chance to take in the mountains, the Caniçada Dam, the rivers that snake through the hills and the confluence of the Cávado River. Hike to the Tahiti waterfall to reach the lagoons and, if the weather allows, you can bath in the fresh crystal clear waters. Here, relax, enjoy the sun and swim in the therapeutic cold waters. Finally, enjoy your journey back to Porto.

Step inside wolf territory to experience the joys of nature at its very best. Depending on the season and your interests the tour guides can suggest a number of different and varied routes. In all cases, they guarantee you will reach a mountain summit and enjoy the many spectacular views across the wild open landscapes. Discover a variety of landscapes of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, from steep valleys to smooth plateaus and from rocky summits to serene meadows. Explore the far reaches of the area far from the crowds, with increased chances of seeing the wildlife in their natural habitat. Discover several landmarks of traditional communitarian shepherding which has been practiced for thousands of years. Challenge yourself and be rewarded with this magnificently gratifying day.

The Paiva Walkways are 8km of steep wooden walkways along the left bank of the Paiva River in Arouca municipality, located in the North of Portugal. This walk takes you through a biologic, geologic and archeologic journey in a natural sanctuary. Expect to see some quartz crystals and Europe endangered species. The average duration of this walk is 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the difficulty level is rated as hard. The walkway provides access to three river beaches where you can refresh yourself, and cafes are located on both ends of the walkway, in Espiunca and Areinho. There are many shaded areas along the route and be assured you do not need to traverse the suspension bridge along the route.

Walk through several sites, valleys, waterfalls, fauna and flora. Join this tour and visit the country’s most northern park, Peneda Gerês, and fall in love with Vila do Gerês. On this tour you will receive an introduction to the Peneda–Gerês National Park, which is perhaps the most exciting destination for local and international tourists and specifically nature lovers. The park was created in 1971, and since then has been the only one of its kind in the country. In 2009, it was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, a status that reinforced the protection measures taken to keep the beauty and natural importance of the region. This full-day tour is perfect to connect with nature and to escape the busy city environment.

Enjoy a marvellous day in the Douro Valley with a guided hiking tour from the village of Provesende through a vineyard trail to the village of Pinhão. See quaint villages, meet the locals, and take in stunning views before arriving at the banks of the River Douro. Enjoy a 1-hour boat cruise on the river with a light brunch served onboard.  Get picked up in Porto and travel for about 1.5 hours to the village of Provesende. Meet your local guide here and begin your walk through the picturesque village. Learn about rural life and regional stories from your guide as you follow the narrow cobbled streets past beautiful old manor buildings.  Continue on the trail through the vineyards and take in the incredible views of the wine region. Learn about the hard manual work of the people who work on the vineyards. Pass through the small, traditional village of São Cristóvão where it is like time has stood still.  Arriving at the village of Pinhão and on the banks of the Douro River, embark on a private boat for a 1-hour river cruise. Take in the beautiful landscapes of the Douro Valley from a new perspective as you enjoy a light brunch with homemade regional products. The boat returns back to Pinhão and activity ends here in the village. Return to Porto is not included in the activity, so if you want to return to Porto you can choose to return by train or arrange for your own transportation.