Northern Portugal’s Atlantic Coast Walking Holiday
8 days | from 890€
Experience Portugal's breathtaking Atlantic Coast with our self-guided walking holiday. Explore scenic trails, charming villages, and the vibrant culture of Northern Portugal.
We’ve selected our favourite experiences from some of our other tours in three very different parts of Northern Portugal, namely the UNESCO World Heritage wine region of the Douro Valley, the mountains and valleys of Peneda-Gerês National Park and the pristine coastline of the Minho area, to give you an intoxicating taste of this diverse region.
Your Northern Portugal adventure begins with a journey into the heart of the Douro for two days of hiking with stunning views and plenty of opportunities to taste world-class wines and local produce.
Next, you’re off to the wilder, rugged landscapes and isolated villages of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, a certified World Biosphere Reserve. Discover an ancient castle, a remote sanctuary, delightful forests, crystal clear waters and hearty local fare.
After the mountains, you’ll head to the historical town of Vila Nova de Cerveira to walk beside the Minho River and the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll encounter fishing communities and gorgeous beaches on the way to the charming riverside city of Viana do Castelo.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Porto and departure to Douro Valley
Take the train from Porto to the village of Pinhão (not included), then meet your taxi driver for a private transfer to the small town of Alijó in the Douro wine region. When you check into your boutique hotel, you will receive your Welcome Kit, which contains all the information you need to enjoy this self-guided walking holiday fully. Settle into your hotel and relax in preparation for your journey of discovery into the myriad of great experiences that Northern Portugal has to offer.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Day 2: Circular walk trail via São Mamede da Ribatua
Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +369m / -368m
Shorter option: Linear walk | 8 km (4.9 miles)
Set off from your hotel for a circular walk that takes you through constantly shifting landscapes of vineyards, woodland and fields to the ancient village of São Mamede da Ribatua. From here, you can enjoy stunning views of the calm Tua reservoir below, surrounded by rugged mountains. After lunch, return to Alijó via a different route.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Day 3: Linear walk from Alijó to Pinhão
Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +282m / -795m
Shorter option: 14 km (8.7 miles)
Check out of your hotel before walking to Pinhão.
Walk through the pleasant countryside at the outer edge of the Douro wine region to reach 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 surrounding slopes, followed by splendid vistas of the Douro River and Valley as you make your way down through the vineyards to Pinhão.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Day 4: Circular walk around Castro Laboreiro Castle
Distance: 2.2 km (1.4 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +52m / -53m
Check out of your hotel and meet your driver in the lobby for a private transfer to the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Your base for the next two days 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.
After settling into your hotel, you may wish to stretch your legs with a short yet delightful walk to the castle ruins, which overlook 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 traditions of this remote community.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Castro Laboreiro circular walk
Distance: 12.5 km (7.8 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +440m / -439m
Walk through the village and out into the rugged hills and gorgeous countryside full of quirky rock formations.
Once in the valley, a pleasant area of woodland leads 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 as you climb steadily to the plateau, which is full of smooth granite boulders and sweeping views across the valley to other hills, valleys, and ridges.
The trail ends back in Castro Laboreiro.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Day 6: Linear walk from Castro Laboreiro to Peneda
Distance: 15.1 km (9.4 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +311m / -574m
Check out of your accommodation then walk to the sanctuary of Peneda.
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 National Park.
From here, the forest’s enchantment takes over as you make your way towards the sanctuary at Peneda, at times following ancient stone paths built for local pilgrims.
After reaching Peneda Sanctuary, your driver will take you to the charming small town of Vila Nova de Cerveira, in the coastal area of Minho. Once refreshed, enjoy a stroll around the historical centre and look out for artworks – this town hosts a biennial arts festival.
Accommodation: Country hotel
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Day 7: Linear walk from Vila Nova de Cerveira to Vila Praia de Âncora
Distance: 22.7 km (14.1 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +173m / -176m
Shorter option: 13 km (8 miles)
Check out of your accommodation and follow the trail along the River Minho, 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’ll 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 Moledo beach.
Spend the night in Vila Praia de Âncora.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Linear walk from Vila Praia de Âncora to Viana do Castelo
Distance: 19.4 km (12 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +132m / -130m
Check out of your hotel and set off for the fascinating city of Viana do Castelo.
Cross a vast sandy expanse of beach as you leave Vila Praia de Âncora. You’ll briefly head inland through patches of forest and fields before following the coast and its stone windmills and fortresses south to Viana do Castelo. Stroll through the beautiful historical centre of Viana do Castelo to reach your hotel.
When you’ve had a chance to freshen up, you can enjoy exploring the ancient streets and squares of this pretty town.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Departure
Check out of the hotel in time for your onward journey
End of our services.
Meals: Breakfast
NOTE 1: If you are returning to Porto, we suggest you take the train (not included).
NOTE 2: All the shorter options require a transfer that must be paid on-site.
Like what you see but it’s not quite a perfect fit?
Simply get in touch to tell us what you’re looking for. We’re happy to make changes to create your ideal holiday.
Map
Highlights of Northern Portugal
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Duration: 8 nights / 7 walking days
Tour type: Self-guided
Nº of people: From 2
Walking grade: Moderate
Total walking distance: 107 km | 66.5 miles
Region: Northern Portugal
Highlights: Douro wine region, wine estates, wine-producing villages, scenic train ride, vineyard hikes, boutique hotels, country cottages, local produce, breathtaking views, medieval castle, mountain villages, Lindoso Dam, medieval town and architecture, Minho, Lima and Douro rivers, fishing villages, coastal paths, historical cities.
Available: From 01st March to 31st October
Price per person:
- In double room occupancy
- 2 pax: 1.280 euros/pax
- 3 to 6 pax: 1.190 euros/pax
- Single room supplement
- Up to 2 pax: 570 euros/pax
- From 3 to 6 pax: 530 euros/pax
What’s included?
- 8 nights’ hand-picked accommodation with breakfast;
- Packed lunches on days 2, 3, 5 and 6;
- Welcome Kit and pre-departure information;
- Pre-tour briefing;
- Detailed route notes (in English/German);
- App with trail information for use on a smartphone;
- Private transfer from Porto airport to Campanhã train station and from Pinhão train station to Alijó on day 1;
- Private transfer from Pinhão to Castro Laboreiro on day 4;
- Private transfer from Peneda to Vila Nova de Cerveira on day 6;
- Luggage transfer between accommodations;
- 24-hour emergency contact number (English-speaking).
What’s not included?
- Meals not mentioned above; Train transfer between Porto train station and Pinhão train station; Transfer from Viana do Castelo to Porto city/airport at the end of the programme; Insurance; Tourist taxes; Gratuities; Personal expenses; Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above.
What you need to bring:
- Most of this walking holiday is off-road on rugged terrain so that you will need proper walking shoes with cushioning and support.
- There is little shade, so adequate weather protection is also vital.
- We recommend you bring walking poles.
Optional extra services:
- Visit a winery and wine tasting in Pinhão: 35 euros per person.
- Extra nights in Porto (4-star hotel): On request.
- Extra nights in Viana do Castelo (4-star hotel): On request.
- Transfer from Porto to Alijó: 260 euros for up to 3 people; 350 euros for 4 to 7 people.
- Transfer from Viana do Castelo to Porto: 120 euros for up to 3 people; 160 euros for 4 to 7 people.
- Transfer from Porto Hotel and Porto Airport: 50 euros for up to 3 people; 80 euros for 4 to 7 people.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
At Portugal Green Walks, we firmly believe that travel should be a safe and rewarding experience for all concerned, including the destinations you visit and the people you meet.
Please find out how we embrace sustainable and responsible travel.
Environment
This exciting self-guided walking holiday enables clients to experience the wide variety of cultures and landscapes that Northern Portugal has to offer, from the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Douro wine region to the Biosphere Reserve of the Peneda-Gerês National Park and the stunning unspoilt Costa Verde coastline.
As a walking holiday, the environmental impact is low, especially since we provide clear guidance during briefings and information packs about leaving no trace, respecting flora and fauna, sticking to the trails, and protecting structural heritage such as stone shepherd’s shelters and wolf traps.
The first two bases are 2-night stays, reducing the need for luggage transfers and laundering linens. We use local taxi companies to decrease fuel usage and pollution when transport is necessary.
Since tap water quality in Portugal is excellent, we recommend that our clients bring a refillable bottle to use during their walking holiday.
We provide an app for clients to use during their tours with us to reduce the need for printing information. It is a simple and straightforward navigation tool that will give them all the directional information they need and peace of mind that they are on the right track. It also contains information about points of interest along the route and the location of useful services such as cafés and grocery stores.
Community
The daily lunch pack contains fresh local produce and we encourage guests to have dinner at friendly local restaurants where they can enjoy traditional regional dishes, such as Cachena steaks in the Peneda-Gerês, olive oil and meat cake from the Douro and the freshest of fish and seafood along the Atlantic Coast and, of course, sample Douro wines, vinho verde and port.
Clients are encouraged to stop at local cafés, bakeries and grocery or craft stores in the villages and towns they pass through in order to get a sense of what local life is like in the three distinct areas and interact with local people. Again, having 2-night stays in two of the bases offers more opportunities to make connections and get to know the place where they are staying.
The income derived from our use of local accommodations, produce and drivers in the relatively isolated mountain villages of the Peneda-Gerês, i.e. Castro Laboreiro and Lindoso, has a significant impact on these rural economies and has been a driver for positive change – an increasing number of ruined cottages have now been turned into tasteful eco-friendly tourist accommodation.
While walking through the vineyards and villages in the Douro wine region, clients will witness the mostly manual labour involved in small-scale independent wine production and for the major players. There are also opportunities to visit local wine producers to taste and buy their wines and learn about the unique histories of these quintas (wine estates).
On the coastal section of this programme, clients will encounter fishing communities in Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora. They will have the chance to interact with fishermen as they tend nets, prepare bait or take their boats out fishing. Visiting the local fish markets is another unforgettable experience although nothing beats the thrill of seeing the catch of the day grilled on an open barbecue at a local restaurant then delivered to your table. We include suggestions for our favourite family-run restaurants.
DIGITAL DETAILED ITINERARY
Click on the button below to download the itinerary with day-by-day details, highlights, prices and the respective general conditions.
