Walking in Northern Portugal

If you're looking for a stimulating holiday with culture, nature, spectacular scenery and great food and wine that's a bit off the beaten track, why not come walking in Northern Portugal?

An Introduction to Northern Portugal

The north of Portugal is an area of outstanding natural beauty and our walks are designed to show you the best of the dramatically rich and diverse landscapes. It is a haven for wildlife including wolves, wild ponies and eagles and in its ancient villages you can get a rare taste of life as it has been lived here for centuries. This region was the birthplace of the kingdom of Portugal and is as famous for its historical sites as it is for its port and wine production and gastronomy.

Walking holidays in Northern Portugal

Guided walks

Lima Valley and Peneda National Park
This walk is designed to show you the sheer diversity and beauty of northern Portugal. It starts in the historical seaside town of Viana do Castelo, where our walk along the coast includes visits to ruined forts and Bronze age rock art. From there we head inland along the stikingly beautiful and tranquil Lima valley till we reach Ponte de Lima, the oldest town in Portugal. Our last two days are spent exploring the wild mountainsides and ancient hamlets of the Peneda-Geres National Park. A must for photographers, nature lovers and anyone who wants to 'get away from it all'. This seven night holiday costs £675, $1350.00 or €980 including accomodation, all meals, transfers and luggage transfers and an experienced, knowledgable walk leader. Flights and insurance are not included. Departure dates – June 1st & Sept 20th 2008

A similar walk is available as a self guided tour from the seaside at Viana do Castelo along the Lima valley to Ponte de Lima, visiting sites of historical and ecological interest. This costs September to June: £405.00, $810.00 or €587 July and August: £475.00, $950.00 or €688 when accomodation is more expensive (including accommodation, breakfast, 6 picnics, transfers, luggage transfers and comprehensive walking notes and maps).

Walking Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
This unusual walk lets you follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims from the untamed beauty of northern Portugal through the lush landscape of Galicia, Spain to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This route is closely associated with St James it is where he first preached in Iberia and where his body was carried on the way to its resting place. The pilgrimage once inspired many medieval songs and poems but today we generally have the path to ourselves. As the ancient way winds through quiet countryside it takes in many picturesque hamlets, medieval towns and villages, cathedrals and rustic churches. This seven night walking holiday costs £495.00, $990.00 or €720 including accomodation and breakfast, two dinners, transfers and luggage transfers, a back-up minibus and an experienced, knowledgable walk leader. Flights, insurance and some meals are not included. Next departure: May 24 & Sept 13 2008

A similar walk is also available as a 7 night self guided walk costing £375.00, $750.00 or €545(including accommodation, breakfast, luggage transfers and walking notes).

Contact us for more information about walking in Northern Portugal

Self Guided Walking Tours

We also offer the Minho- Costa Verde coastal and Lima valley walk and the Camino Portugues pilgrimage as self guided walks as described above.

Douro- Walking Wine and Port
This walking holiday takes you to the Douro, the heart of Portugal's port and wine production. On your walks you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views over both the Pinhao and Douro valleys, as you wander through picturesque hamlets and by many of Portugal's famous wine producing quintas. You'll be staying in a lovingly restored 17th century manor house with every modern comfort including a pool and we'll arrange wine and port tastings for you. This four night walking holiday costs October to March: £355.00, $710.00 or €515, April to July and September: £395.00, $790.00 or €575(including accommodation, breakfast, 3 picnics, 4 dinners, transfers and comprehensive walking notes and maps).

Montesinho National Park
This holiday is aimed at walkers with a sense of adventure and takes you into one of Europe's last wildernesses. This park is home to the Iberian wolf and the Spanish Imperial eagle as well as a wide variety of other flora and fauna. The landscape is strikingly beautiful as its stark mountains and granite gorges contrast with the lush valleys, tranquil lakes and abundant wild flowers. You'll stay at the heart of the park in a restored country house with heated pool and experience life in villages whose way of life has changed little over the centuries. This four night walking holiday costs October to April: £310.00, $620.00 or €450, May, June & September: £340.00, $680.00 or €493 (including accommodation, breakfast, 3 picnics, 4 dinners, transfers to and from Braganηa, and comprehensive walking notes and maps). This walking tour can easily be combined with our Douro walk; both are very different and will give you a great walking experience - we offer a £50 per person discount if you book both holidays

Practicalities of Walking in Northern Portugal

We are happy to email you full details of any of our walks.
Travelling to Northern Portugal: The main airport in Northern Portugal is located in Porto (aka Oporto) from there we can arrange transport to the start of the walk. If you're joining the pilgrimage you may like to book your flight back from Santiago in Spain. If you're interested in a longer walking holiday many of our tours can be easily, and interestingly, combined to show you different aspects of Northern Portugal.

Please use this form to contact us for more information about any of our holidays or about walking in Northern Portugal in general.

Links to more information about Walking in Portugal

General Information about walking in Portugal
Other walking holidays in Portugal with this company
All walking holidays in Portugal
Read other travellers' stories about walking in Northern Portugal