Norte Region

Hiking

Discover one of Portugal’s hidden treasures on a 10-hour excursion to Gerês National Park. Enjoy a day of hiking, kayaking and savoring local food. The itinerary can be altered to make the best of the weather conditions in winter and summer. Travel to the park in an air-conditioned van. After around 90 minutes, you’ll reach the lake, where you’ll begin your tour by kayaking in the it‘s calm waters. Afterwards, relax on a sandy beach and try to stand up paddle before returning to your vehicle. Stop at a local restaurant with amazing views of Rio Cavado, where you will taste local food and wine. In the afternoon you will find a waterfall and lagoon, where you can swim and relax. Visit the old village of Fafiao, and learn more about Portuguese lifestyle in the countryside.

Begin your day with a convenient pick-up from your hotel followed by a 1.5-hour drive to the start of this great trail. Your personal guide will give you great insights about life in Portugal and ways and traditions of making the way to the Paiva Walkway go by in a flash. The hike along the river will be filled with geologic, natural and archeological interest located in the most beautiful locations.  After this 3-hour hike, a great lunch will be required and there is nowhere better to have a great lunch than in this region. Taste the best meat in Portugal at Alvarenga, famous for its 'posta arouquesa,' a delightful piece of grilled beef that will make you regain all your stamina. End your day with a tasting of a typical local liquor called Pinguça. Experience the best nature and gastronomy Portugal has to offer.

Depart from the convenient meeting point in Porto and head to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only national park in Portugal and the best place to go for a hike. Travel around 1.5 hours from Porto along with your experienced guide as you head to the heart of the park to a trail designed to be a bit tougher but much better than other trails. Embark on an 11km circular track with 700m elevation gain (350m uphill and 350m downhill) on an uneven terrain, something much more challenging than a normal hiking trail. Take in views of the national park’s lagoons, the Cascata do Arado waterfall, and villages as you go. Midway through the trail, stop for a well-deserved picnic in a fantastic spot with stunning views of the surrounding scenery. Afterwards, begin the ascent and end the trip with a drop-off back in Porto.

Cross the Worlds Longest Suspension Footbridge - the Arouca 516 - and walk the Paiva Walkways, considered one of the most beautiful trails in the world (seven kilometers). Restore your energy with a delicious traditional lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon at Aveiro, the so-called “Portuguese Venice” and traverse the canals on a boat trip. Wander through the old quarter to see the main Art Nouveau buildings, the fish market, and taste one of the city's delicacies, soft eggs. Last but not the least, see the famous haystacks of Costa Nova. Discover the magnificent fishing village with its wooden houses in bright striped colors.

Head to Gerês National Park on this 10-hour excursion from Porto. Stop for coffee along the way, before arriving at the park. From June to September, enjoy an 8-kilometer hike that takes you past 10 magnificent natural pools (from November to May, the hike will be 10 kilometers long). Stop to enjoy a refreshing swim along the way. Once you reach the heart of the Park, enjoy a picnic as you admire the stunning views around you. A small picnic will be provided, but if everyone brings something to share, it will be more of a feast.  After taking in the views and fresh air, you’ll return to Porto.

Starting from Porto, you will be picked up and driven through the Portuguese countryside until you reach these amazing nature tourism structures. Along the way to the 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge and the Paiva Walkways you will go by Arouca. In Arouca there is a convenient stop where you can grab a snack for the way if you wish to do so. This town is famous for it’s traditional sweets! Once you reach Areinho (one of the entrances of Paiva Walkways), you start your journey by climbing the strairway of around 300 steps and reach the incredible 516 Arouca elevated about 175m above the Paiva River. Crossing this bridge is one unforgettable experience. Get all the information about this structure and be amazed with the views over to Aguieira Waterfall and Paiva River. You will continue you journey follwing the path of Paiva Walkways as it follows the flow of the river through the next 8 Km. Along the way you will be able to enjoy the wilderness and set your own pace. Enjoy the landscapes and the moment. Relax at Vau beach mid-way through the hike and carry on all the way to Espiunca, where our hiking ends. From Espiunca we will make a small connection to Alvarenga, where in a local restaurant we will have a great meal with the famous “Arouquesa” DPO meat (other options available). The day ends with a comfortable ride back to Porto, where you can keep on learning about our country and culture directly from a local guide.

After a pick-up from your hotel in the morning, you will travel in a climate-controlled minivan towards the amazing Peneda-Gerês National Park. Arrive at the foot of the mountains and catch a glimpse of the wonderful Albufeira da Caniçada, where the beautiful Cávado River lies. Then, start your way up into the mountains while admiring the surrounding nature.  Enjoy the journey and admire the local fauna and flora, stop at the amazing old village, Vilarinho das Furnas, now submersed in water. Then, head to Mata da Albergaria, the most protected area in the park, for a easy hike to view some wonderful lagoons. Near Gerês village, it is time to feast on a delicious picnic lunch. Eating in one of the many available locations is a way of taking advantage of the beautiful nature.  Be amazed with the Pedra Bela viewpoint, situated 800 meters above sea level. From this height, you'll have the chance to take in the mountains, the Caniçada Dam, the rivers that snake through the hills and the confluence of the Cávado River. Hike to the Tahiti waterfall to reach the lagoons and, if the weather allows, you can bath in the fresh crystal clear waters. Here, relax, enjoy the sun and swim in the therapeutic cold waters. Finally, enjoy your journey back to Porto.

Walk through several sites, valleys, waterfalls, fauna and flora. Join this tour and visit the country’s most northern park, Peneda Gerês, and fall in love with Vila do Gerês. On this tour you will receive an introduction to the Peneda–Gerês National Park, which is perhaps the most exciting destination for local and international tourists and specifically nature lovers. The park was created in 1971, and since then has been the only one of its kind in the country. In 2009, it was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, a status that reinforced the protection measures taken to keep the beauty and natural importance of the region. This full-day tour is perfect to connect with nature and to escape the busy city environment.

Complete your trip in Portugal with a visit to the beautiful Peneda-Geres National Park. Experience breathtaking nature, traditional culture and the kindness of locals. Discover the mountains, rivers, waterfalls and magnificent settings on this carefully curated tour with your local guides. You will travel by 4x4 vehicle and on foot to different locations of great scenery and natural value within the park. Learn about and observe local flora and fauna and dip into incredible natural lagoons. You will break for lunch and enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine. On this tour you will have plenty of opportunities for stunning panoramic photographs and your guides will be happy to take any shots for you. 

Explore the natural history, ancient heritage and beautiful nature of Peneda-Gerês National Park on a day trip from Porto, Guimarães or Braga. Following pick-up from your hotel, drive to the lush woodlands to hike through the only national park in the Norte region of Portugal. Marvel at the mountains as you hike in a small group for a more intimate experience. Walk along centuries-old paths that cut through the woods and reach amazing viewpoints along the way. Encounter the remains of ancient settlements and of the Roman Geira road from Braga to Astorga. Swim in the clear waters of the mountain waterfalls or soak in hot springs used by the Romans, depending on the weather. See newborn baby horses in the woods or marvel at the colors of the fall leaves, according to the season.