8 Days – Peneda-Gerês National Park | Douro Valley Hike | Porto

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Douro Valley Hike

Price per person

Duration: 8 days
Tour type: 
Private or small Groups
Activity: 
Hiking, Wine tasting and UNESCO World Heritage sites visiting
Guided: 
Yes
Nº of People: 
Minimum 2
Location: 
Peneda-Gerês National Park; Douro Valley; Porto
Departures: Hiking walking holidays portugal

Itinerary

Please select the date for the 1st day

INFO

The North Experience

Explore Northern Portugal like no one!

 

Douro Valley Hike – We invite you to visit the North of Portugal by hiking in Portugal’s only National Park, wine tasting in the first demarcated wine region in the World and walking on the unique Porto’s streets and Ribeira quay by the Douro River.

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Peneda-Gerês National Park is a vast territory with very different regions. From Barroso to Alto Minho the landscape changes a lot, as well as the culture and the people. Discover the different regions of the national park, the villages with their typical granaries, old castles, religious sanctuaries, find about the traditional ways of living and go through old trails used by shepherds.

Explore wild rivers and natural waterfalls and, if the weather allows, swim across and dive into its incredible natural lagoons deep in the mountains and always in the company of a local guided walking holidays portugal.

Douro valley and wine region

The Douro, the most ancient wine region, doesn’t need presentations. The Douro River cuts through the bottom of the valley with its sides full of vines to give us an amazing scenario. It also gives us unique wines and amazing people to greet us.
Explore the river on a traditional boat and visit renowned wineries on this amazing UNESCO’s World Heritage site.

The city of Porto

Porto with its very rich culture and monuments is at the top of anyone’s bucket list when visiting Portugal. The Douro River carved an astonishing canyon shaped valley with the city on one side and Porto’s famous wine cellars on the other, providing a breath taking landscape.

Stunning sights from the top to the waterfront at the Ribeira quay. Taste the local exquisite cuisine such as “tripas à moda do Porto” or “Francesinha”. Come meet its delightful people and their incredible stories.

Daily Program (suggested)

Day 1 - Arrival

Transfer from the airport or other places in north of Portugal to Peneda-Gerês (optional from Lisbon)

Dinner: hotel
Accomodation: hotel*** in Gerês

Day 2 - First day at Peneda-Gerês National Park: Pitões das Júnias

Hike in the mountains near the village

Lunch: Packed lunch
Dinner:
hotel
Accomodation: hotel*** in Gerês

Highlights:

  • Village of Pitões de Junias – One of the highest village in Portugal
  • Monastery of Saint Mary of Júnias from the 9th century
  • Observation of wild goats
  • Walk along the border (1330m altitude)
  • Oak forest
  • Mountain meadows and grazing areas
  • Massive granite formations

Technical Data:

  • Distance: 8,5 km (5,3 mi)
  • Elevation gain: 360 m (1181 ft)
  • Degree of difficulty: moderate

Day 3 - Second day at Peneda-Gerês National Park: Gerês

Hike in the mountains to the Teixeira valley

Lunch: packed lunch
Dinner: hotel
Accomodation: hotel*** in Gerês

Highlights:

  • Mountain meadows and grazing areas
  • Ancestral shelters for shepherds
  • Arado waterfall
  • Arado river
  • Teixeira glacial valley
  • Rock formations
  • Natural landscape of the national park

Technical Data:

  • Distance: 10 km (6,3 mi)
  • Elevation gain: 477 m (1565 ft)
  • Degree of difficulty: moderate

Day 4 - Third day at Peneda-Gerês National Park: Peneda

Hike in the Peneda mountain range

Lunch: packed lunch
Dinner: hotel
Accomodation: hotel*** in Gerês

Highlights:

  • Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda (Nossa Senhora da Peneda) – construction started from the 18th century and ending in 1875
  • Viewpoint over the valley and the sanctuary of Peneda
  • Fraga da Meadinha (climbing rock formation)
  • Peneda hydroelectric power station
  • Valley and forest of Lamas de Mouro
  • Granaries of Soajo locally called as “Espigueiros”
  • Ruins of Castro Laboreiro Castle from the 13th century
  • Native breed of dogs from Portugal – Dog of Castro Laboreiro
  • Laboreiro river

Technical Data:

  • Distance: 11 km (6,9 mi)
  • Elevation gain: 557 m (1827 ft)
  • Degree of difficulty: moderate

Day 5 - Douro Valley and transfer to Porto

Visit one Quinta (vineyard and winery estate), which includes Hiking in the vineyard and wine tasting

Transfer to Porto
Lunch: Local Restaurant or Pic nic lunch
Dinner: not included
Accomodation: hotel**** in Porto

Highlights:

  • Viewpoint of S. Leonardo da Galafura
  • Douro valley and wine region – UNESCO’s World Heritage
  • Local winery visit
  • Town of Pinhão
  • Town of Régua
  • Pinhão rail station
  • Boat trip on Douro river
  • Viewpoint Casal de Loivos

Technical Data:

  • Distance: 5 km (3 mi)
  • Elevation: 80 m (262 ft)
  • Degree of difficulty: easy

Day 6 - Free time in Porto

Visit to city of Porto – UNESCO’s World Heritage

Free day at Porto – guided walking tour – Optional
Accomodation: hotel**** in Porto

Suggested points of interest:

  • Several viewpoint from the city to the Douro river
  • Clérigos tower
  • São Bento Rail Station
  • Ribeira quay
  • Downtown
  • D. Luís I bridge
  • World famous port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia (on other side of the river)
  • Boats on Douro river

Day 7 - Free time in Porto

Visit to city of Porto – UNESCO’s World Heritage

Free day at Porto
Accomodation: hotel**** in Porto

Day 8 - Departure / End of our services

INCLUDED
  • Transfers (except day 08)
  • Accommodation (B&B)
  • Local English and french-speaking guide
  • 4 packed lunches and 5 dinners​
  • Water
  • Personal accident insurance
NOT INCLUDED
  • Lunches and dinners at Porto
  • Transfer to airport or other place in day 8
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities
EXTRA OPTIONS
  • ​Transfer from / and to Lisbon or other place
  • Last day transfer to the airport or other place
  • Accommodation in single room
  • Extra night in Porto
  • Guided walking tour in Porto
  • Fado dinner in Porto
  • walking trails douro valley