Walking Holiday Northern Portugal Minho

Walking holiday in Northern Portugal, Minho - self-guided 

Explore Geres National Park, the Lima Valley and the Atlantic coast on a 8 day walking holiday in North of Portugal. 

• This walking tour starts in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only National Park in Portugal. The National Park is home of wild horses and Iberian wolves, you will walk through traditional villages.
  
  
• On third and fourth day, you walk on the banks of the Lima River. During the walks you have time to explore the Vinho Verde/ green wine region and the oldest town in Portugal: Ponte de Lima.
  
  
• The last two walking days you will explore the Portuguese coastline walking through windmills, fishermen´s trails and sandy beaches. On this two last hikes you will explore the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago de Compostela.
  
  
• On last hiking day you have the option to cross the border by ferry and explore Galicia in Spain: walking around the A Guarda's Celtic settlement that dates from between 600 and 200BC.

Itinerary:

DAY 1 - Arrival (Bem-vindo)

Arrive at Porto airport (North of Portugal) or Campanha-Porto train station and private transfer to your first accommodation in Soajo.

If you arrive earlier we will give you good tips to explore this wonderful village on your own.

Overnight in Soajo

DAY 2 - Hiking from Lindoso to Soajo - Peneda Gerês National Park

Transfer from Soajo to Lindoso (10 min.) Starting this walk nearby Lindoso castle you have time to visit the local castle and the 50 granaries around the castle.
Leaving Lindoso you descend to cross the Alto Lindoso dam and you will walk along the Portugal-Spain border. This route takes you through shepherd paths, traditional villages and oak forests.

Overnight in Soajo

Ascent: 350m.  Descent: 500m.  Distance: 7 miles I 12 kms.  Walking time: 4 hours.

DAY 3 - Hiking from Soajo to Ponte da Barca, Peneda-Gerês National Park

Leaving Soajo you follow old tracks along the mountainside, from Soajo to Ponte da Barca. During this walk you have a great panorama over Peneda Geres National Park. 

Overnight in Ponte de Barca.

Ascent: 590m.  Descent: 380m.  Distance: 6.8 miles I 11 kms.  Walking time: 4 hours.

DAY 4 - Hiking from Ponte da Barca to Ponte de Lima (Vinho verde/green wine route)

Leaving Ponte da Barca, you walk alongside the peaceful Rio Lima and through vineyards. You will finish your day arriving in the oldest town in Portugal, Ponte de Lima. Today’s walk is a complete contrast to the previous two days. The path is easy.

Overnight in Ponte de Lima

Ascent: 100m.  Descent: 150m.  Distance: 11 miles I 17 kms.  Walking time: 4:30 hours.

DAY 5 - Hiking from Ponte de Lima to Viana do Castelo (Lima Valley)

Leaving Ponte de Lima you walk along the magnificent avenue of plane trees by the river then mainly walk on rural tracks, through fertile agricultural land and woodland. At Passagem, where there used to be a ferry across the river, you will have the opportunitty to visit a family owned winery to taste a local Vinho Verde. 

Overnight in Viana do Castelo.

Ascent: 80m.  Descent: 30m.  Distance: 8.75 miles I 14 kms.  Walking time: 3 hours.

DAY 6 - Hiking from Viana do Castelo to Vila Praia de Âncora (Atlantic coast)

This walk is another complete contrast, as you walk along the Atlantic Coast northwards from Viana to Vila Praia de Âncora. On this route is you walk nearby sandy beaches and you can see some of old windmills nearby the coast.

Overnight in Vila Praia de Âncora. 

Ascent: 150m.  Descent: 150m.  Distance: 12 miles I 19 kms.  Walking time: 4.30 hours.

DAY 7 - Hiking from Vila Praia de Âncora to Caminha 
              Optional hiking tour in A Guarda, Spain

Today’s walk is in two distinct sections. The first takes you to the town of Caminha where your last night’s accommodation is located. You can then extend the walk by taking a ferry and crossing the border between Portugal and Spain to walk up Monte de Santa Trega (Galicia, Spain), the hill opposite Caminha, returning later by ferry. 

Overnight in Caminha.

Ascent: 350m.  Descent: 350m.  Distance: 11 miles I 18 kms.  Walking time: 5 hours.

DAY 8 - Departure (Adeus)

After breakfast we offer a private transfer from your hotel in Caminha to Porto airport or city center.

Included:

• Welcome briefing with local Descubra Minho guide (day 1);
  
• 6 nights bed & breakfast accommodation in standard hotels (2-3 star hotels);
• 1 night bed & breakfast accommodation in a 4-star hotel;
• Private transfer from Porto airport/city/Campanha train station to first hotel in Soajo;
• Private transfer from Soajo to Lindoso; 
• Private transfer from Mezio to Ponte da Barca;
• Private transfer from Geraz do Lima to Viana do Castelo;
• Private transfer from your hotel in Caminha to Porto airport/city;
• Luggage transfers between all the hotels;
• Garmin GPS device with gps tracks,
• Detailed walking notes and hiking maps;
• Local support line.

Make An Enquiry
This trip can be enjoyed as shown, or made longer or shorter to suit you. Please contact us for full details and to discuss your trip.