Your self-guided hiking tour starts with pre-arranged pick up from Porto Airport (or your hotel in Porto) to Porto train station, where you will board the train for a really scenic ride towards the village of Pinhão right into the heart of the Douro River valley (tickets not included). There you will meet your taxi driver for a second transfer to the small town of Alijó, situated in the higher parts of the Douro wine region. Upon checking in into your boutique hotel, you will receive your welcome kit, containing all the information you need to fully enjoy this independent walking holiday. Settle into your hotel and and relax in preparation for your journey of discovery into the myriad of great experiences that Northern Portugal has to offer.

As an introduction to this multi-faced hiking tour you will set off from your hotel for a circular walk that will take you through constantly shifting landscapes of vineyards, woodland and fields all the way to the ancient village of São Mamede da Ribatua - a town with unique viewpoints and diverse landscapes. Originally an agricultural parish, its main activity these days focuses particularly on the production of fortified wine (Porto), olive oil, citrus fruits and vegetables. From here you can enjoy stunning views of the calm Tua reservoir below, surrounded by rugged mountains. Then you will walk back to Alijó following a different route.

Prepare your main luggage for collection and start walking with your daypack only into direction of Pinhão. The trail goes through pleasant countryside at the outer edges of the Douro wine region, eventually reaching a ridge that runs along the hilltops to Casal de Loivos and down to Pinhão. You will have magnificent views of the Pinhão Valley and the surrounding slopes followed by splendid vistas of the Douro River and valley as you make your way down through the vineyards to Pinhão (where your luggage will be waiting for you inside the hotel). If you have visited a Port lodge in Porto, the village and surroundings of Pinhão are the next logical step to obtain a more immersive understanding of Port and Douro DOC wine. The soils and climate here are perfect for growing grapes. Many of the best-known producers have Quintas here and now have visitor centers (where you may opt to pay a visit too).

After breakfast meet your driver in the lobby and board the van for a 3hrs drive in the picturesque countryside of Northern Portugal into direction of the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Your base for the following 2 nights is the historical village of Castro Laboreiro, which originated as an Iron Age settlement and has been occupied ever since, creating a tight-knit community. The name derives from Castro, a hill fort, and Lepporariu, "of hares", a Latin name from Roman times. After settling into your hotel you may wish to stretch your legs with a short yet delightful walk to the ruins of the castle that overlooks the village and the surrounding countryside. The views are well worth the short climb! On your way back to the village you can visit the small museum to learn about the local culture and really interesting traditions of this remote community.

Your first independent hike in the national park starts from the village and continues into the rugged hills and gorgeous countryside full of quirky rock formations. Once in the valley, a pleasant area of woodland will lead you to an ancient bridge where you may like to bathe your feet in the untainted waters. Enjoy the shade of the trees and the sound of the stream before starting to climb steadily towards the plateau, full of smooth granite boulders and sweeping views across the valley to other hills, valleys and ridges. The walking trail ends back in Castro Laboreiro.

Store your main luggage ready for collection at the reception and start walking with your daypack only to the sanctuary of Peneda. On the way you will cross wild, rocky highlands with glorious views over the surrounding mountains on the way to Lamas do Mouro Park Gate, a great place to learn more about the Peneda-Gerês, and one of the five entrances to the national park. From here the enchantment of the forest takes over as you make your way towards the sanctuary at Peneda, at times following ancient stone paths built for local pilgrims. According to legend, Our Lady of the Snows (or Our Lady of Peneda) appeared to a young shepherdess on August 5th, 1220. In this apparition, the Virgin Mary asked her to build a hermitage in her honor. After the construction of this medieval hermitage, the cult of Our Lady of Peneda gained more and more followers over the centuries, which motivated the construction of the current Catholic sanctuary. After reaching Peneda Sanctuary your driver will take you for a 1,30hrs ride towards the charming small town of Vila Nova de Cerveira in the coastal area of Minho River. Once refreshed you can enjoy a stroll around the historical centre and look out for artworks – this town hosts a biennial arts festival.

Check out of your accommodation and follow the hiking trail along the River Minho (in fact the natural border with Spain) all the way to its mouth at the riverside town of Caminha. Once there, you can visit the beautifully carved Gothic parish church or stop for refreshments in the atmospheric main square with its 16th century fountain before heading to the ocean. After Caminha, you will walk through an ancient pine forest before following an easy coastal path to the fishing village and seaside resort town of Vila Praia de Âncora via the spectacular Moledo beach (which is also one of the largest beaches in the north of Portugal). Spend the night in Vila Praia de Âncora. N.B.: If you wish to cut the mileage short you can take a train from either Caminha or Moledo to Vila Praia de Âncora.

The last walk of your self-guided hiking adventure will lead you to the fascinating city of Viana do Castelo. Cross a wide sandy expanse of beach as you leave Vila Praia de Âncora. Through patches of forest and fields you will head inland for just a short before following again the coast and its stone windmills and fortresses south to Viana do Castelo. When you’ve had chance to freshen up, you can enjoy exploring the ancient streets and squares of this pretty town. Viana do Castelo is the jewel of the Costa Verde. It is blessed with an appealing medieval center, an attractive riverfront and lovely beaches just outside the city. The old quarter showcases leafy 19th-century boulevards and narrow lanes crowded with Manueline manors and rococo palaces, all dramatically presided over by the pearly white, neo-Byzantine Santa Luzia church on the hilltop high above town (you can use the lift if you wish to get there). N.B.: If you wish to cut the mileage short you can take a train from Carreço to Viana do Castelo.

Services end after breakfast. We offer option for a private transfer to Porto/Porto Airport (check details with us; easy/direct train connections with Porto are available too).