Walking holiday undiscovered Portugal Costa Verde
Walking holiday Portugal, Costa Verde guided & self-guided.
Mountains, green countryside, beautiful beaches, wildlife, fisherman trails, waterfalls and the vinho verde wine region.
This is a 8-day centre based walking holiday in the city of Viana do Castelo, the jewel of Costa Verde and famous for its wild mountains, lush green countryside, beautiful beaches and Vinho Verde wine.
We offer 6 walks in different lansdcapes: from the mountains to the sea. Explore the wildlife and the waterfalls in the Serra de Arga Natural Park, explore the Vinho Verde wine region and the oldest town in Portugal, Ponte de Lima.
Discover the Fishermen’s Trail walking through sandy and rocky beaches and exploring old windmills.
Cross over the Rio Minho in a ferry into Galicia (Spain) to visit the Mountain of Santa Tecla with its
sanctuary and its celtic settlements.
Itinerary
Located 60 min. away from the city of Porto, Viana do Castelo is a beautiful city by the sea.
You can do your own way to the hotel in Viana do Castelo or as an option you ask our private transfer from Porto (train station, hotel or airport).
Overnight stay in Viana do Castelo
You can climb the mountains on foot or take a funicular from the city of Viana do Castelo to the start of the walk.
The walk is a loop in Santa Luzia mountain. During the day you enjoy wonderful views over the sea and over the city of Viana do Castelo.
The walk is mainly through forests and you can visit some old aqueduct used by locals to transport the water from Santa Luzia mountain to the city of Viana do Castelo.
Overnight stay in Viana do Castelo
This is a linear walk along the Viana do Castelo coastline passing along the way the historical forts used to protect this area and windmills. Enjoy the fine views over the Atlantic Ocean.
The walk take you across golden sands, past ancient forts, along board walks and coastal paths.
Short hike: 12 km / 7.44 mi.
Long hike: 19 km / 11.78 mi.
Overnight stay in Viana do Castelo
On this day you will explore Serra D´Arga Mountain walking between the low and the high mountain.
You will discover Arga de Baixo and Arga de Cima, two traditional villages.
During the walk you may spot wildhorses and wolf footprints, they both still live in Serra D´Arga mountain.
If the weather is good you will get a wonderful view over Northern Portugal.
Overnight stay in Viana do Castelo
Walking along the banks of Rio Lima you will pass near many vineyards and corn fields before to reach Ponte de Lima, the oldest town in Portugal.
The landscape along the Lima Valley is beautiful
Short hike: 12 km / 7.44 mi
Long hike: 18 km / 11.16 mi
Overnight stay in Viana do Castelo
This is a circular walk through the Montaria mountain village, once famous for its 42 watermills and the Pincho wateralls. This walk is through pleasant countryside and villages with views of the farmland.
Short hike: 12 km / 7.44 mi
Long hike: 18 km / 11.16 mi
Overnight stay in Viana do Castelo
From Caminha, you take the ferry for a short river crossing to Galicia in Spain for the start of the walk. You initially follow the river and then walked uphill through a wooded area to reach a view point overlooking an ancient Celtic settlement (Castro de Santa Tegra).
From the top of the mountain, you walk downhill through a wood of eucalyptus which had been extensively cleared in places. At times there were magnificent views of the Galician plains, the river and Portugal.
Short hike: 10 km / 6.2 mi
Long hike: 19 km / 11.78 mi
Overnight stay in Viana do Castelo
After breakfast it´s time for departure.
You can take a train or a bus to your next destination.
As an option you can request a private transfer.
Map
What´s incuded
- 7 nights bed & breakfast accommodation in a 4 star hotel;
- Garmin GPS device with tracks, walking booklet and local maps;
- Support line (24/7)
- In person briefing about the tour (day 1)
- Hiking maps and walking notes;
Optional services
- Private transfer from Porto (airport, city centre of Campanha train station) to your hotel in Viana do Castelo;
- Departure transfer from hotel in Viana do Castelo to Porto airport, city centre or train station.
- Extra nights in Viana do Castelo
Accommodation
Casa Melo Alvim – 4 star hotel
An ancient and expertly restored 16th-century manor house, Casa Melo Alvim is located in the medieval town of Viana do Castelo, north-west Portugal, where the Lima River meets the Atlantic Ocean. This is an ideal spot from which to explore the leafy boulevards, Rococo palaces and narrow lanes of the city’s old quarter as well as the small sandy bays of the Costa Verde, wine routes of the Lima Valley and Peneda-Gerês mountains in the east.
Behind Casa Melo Alvim’s discreet façade belies many wonderful surprises – a majestic stone staircase for one, alluding to the Casa’s origins as a grand family home – and relaxing spaces such as the sitting room with ultra-comfy leather chairs, the library, and the living room featuring games tables, a fireplace and yet more leather armchairs. There’s also the laid-back, indoor/outdoor Letraria – Craft Beer & Art bar/restaurant where craft beer, ciders, wines, kombuchas and snacks are served.
The 16 bedrooms and four suites are all unique in size and shape, and faithful to the property’s original features. Common to all are wooden floors, large windows letting in lots of natural light, and elegant, classic furnishings complemented by rich fabrics in creams and pale yellows.
Casa Melo Alvim is considered the oldest urban manor house in Viana do Castelo built in 1509, in the Manueline style. Faithfully restored in the 1990s, remnants of its past include a stone Baroque balustrade stairwell in the reception area, and today’s operations adhere to a long list of responsible tourism policies. As a result, the house has achieved European Ecological Label – Green Key and Biosphere certifications.
