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 seven night 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'. The next Lima Valled and Peneda National Park walking holidays are on May 21 and September 24 2011 and cost 790 euros per person including accommodation, meals, transfers and an experienced group leader. Single room supplement 90 euros.

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.

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. The next departure dates for this Northern Portugal walking holiday are April 30 and September 17 2011 and the tours cost 775 euros per person including 8 night's accommodation, breakfasts, 7 dinners, transfers and an experienced group leader. Single room supplement 110 euros.

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 four night 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 walking holiday costs 460 euros per person in October to March and 515 euros in April to July and September including 4 nights' accommodation, 4 dinners, wine and port with dinner and comprehensive walking notes and maps. Single room supplement 120 euros. Combine this with our Montesinho walking holiday to really experience the diveristy of Northern Portugal and save 50 euros per person!

Douro- From Water to Wine
Highlights of this 7 night walking holiday include fantastic walking through vineyards along hidden trails, discovering the culture and way of life behind the slopes, private wine tastings and a boat trip on the Douro. It is an ideal holiday for walkers wanting not only to explore countryside that just exudes peace, calmness and tranquility but also want to experience something of what this land has to offer - its excellent wines! Vines have been grown here for centuries and the grape rules the hearts of the local people. You will stay on a working Quinta which has been restored to offer modest but comfortable accommodation to its guests and where you become part of the family. You will also be able to see the Douro valley from the water as we also offer you a fabulous boat trip up stream. This walking holiday costs 684 euros per person including 7 nights' accommodation, 5 picnics and 1 lunch, visits to 3 wineries, 7 dinners 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 walking holiday costs 372 euros per person in October to March and 430 euros in May, June and September including 4 nights' accommodation, 4 dinners and comprehensive walking notes and maps. Single room supplement 80 euros.

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