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Enjoy the famous port wines of the Douro Valley

Endless wine terraces of famous Port and Douro wines set against picturesque mountain slopes, the River Douro meanders gracefully between this unique spectacle. The Douro valley is not called the Valley of Enchantment for nothing, the unique cultural landscape is UNESCO's World Heritage. Located on the shimmering blue Douro, the villages and museums of this Portuguese region invite you to visit them.

Details on the Douro Valley Hiking Tour

Whether on the western slopes of the Pinhão Valley or through the villages of São Cristovão do Douro, the view of the surrounding vineyards is more than worth it! In addition, a homemade dinner from the friendly hosts and a deep red port wine, aged in barrique barrels. On day five, a circular walk awaits you to the village of São Mameda da Ribatua, from where you can see the spectacular rocks and mountains of Portugal. The way back is shaded through dense pine forests to Alijó.

The highlights of this walking holiday at a glance:

  • Picnic by the river: A small picnic basket made of raffia, filled with Portuguese delicacies and a glass of delicious wine

  • Porto: The bustling city of historic sites, enchanting neighbourhoods and streets such as Rua das Flores or the Ribeira district.

  • Charming hotels: You stay in beautiful hotels and Pousadas in special locations and/or exclusive extras such as a spa or wine cellar

Interesting facts about hiking in the Duoro Valley

In eight days you will walk through beautiful Portugal, for up to six hours a day on good, unpaved paths. Occasionally you may encounter longer distances or climbs on your route.

This tour has been graded as Medium. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.

Tour information
  • 0 Days
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total walking distance: approx. 76 km
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Itinerary

After arrival at Porto airport, the transfer (included) will take you to Porto station for your train journey (exclusive) of approx. 2.5 hours to Pinhão, centrally located in the valley. This is the starting point of your walking holiday through the Doura valley.

Arrive in the afternoon, but don't just walk out of the station but take the time to take a good look at it, it is one of the most beautiful stations in Portugal. Richly decorated with azulejos, the coloured Portuguese tiles that depict daily life. Enjoy the picturesque atmosphere of Pinhão this afternoon, stroll through the vineyards, taste the wines in one of the bodegas such as winery Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta das Carvalhas or take a boat trip on the Douro with a traditional Rabelo boat. In the evening you can enjoy delicious regional dishes in the excellent restaurants in the pleasant town.

You walk on winding footpaths through endless vineyards, surrounded by ancient stone walls, on the western slopes of the Pinhão Valley. You climb the road to the villages of São Cristovão do Douro and Provosende, which are located on the hill. The effort is more than rewarded with a view of the surrounding terraces of the vineyards and the excellent view of the meeting of the Pinhão and Douro rivers. In the evening, your hosts await you at Casa de Vilarinho de São Romão, where you can enjoy a home-cooked dinner of regional specialities and a refreshing dip in the pool.

ca. 3 to 4 hours
11 km
690 m
260 m

From Vilarinho de São Romão, the hiking trail meanders to the Pinhão River. Past small villages and wineries, through lush green vineyards with a varied landscape and beautiful views. Relax with a picnic lunch by the river before heading up the hill to Celeirós, a pretty village well worth a wine tasting at Quinta do Portal. In the late afternoon, you will return to Vilarinho de São Romão. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool, and in the evening a delicious traditional dinner of regional specialities awaits you.

ca. 4 to 5 hours
14 km
660 m
660 m

Enjoy the view over the wide, green valley on the way to the idyllic village of Sabrosa. You follow the old road between Vilarinho de São Romão and Favaios and walk downhill through vines to the river. Then it goes uphill between vines and olive groves, to a completely different landscape, a rugged mountain landscape. The small, attractive village of Favaio is one of only two places in Portugal where the Moscatel wine is produced and is famous for the quadrangular bread made from locally produced wheat and baked in a wood-fired oven from traditional bakeries. You can learn all about these delicacies in the bread and wine museum and different variations can be tasted on the museum terrace, overlooking the vineyards. Continue to the small historic town of Alijó.

ca. 5 to 6 hours
16 km
690 m
630 m

Today a circular walk is on the program, which takes you in constant ups and downs through vineyards and fields to the ancient village of São Mamede de Ribatua, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding rock-strewn mountains. A beautiful church decorated with colourful Portuguese tiles is not to be missed. Enjoy the delicacies in your picnic basket, cool your feet in the river and rest before starting the walk back to Alijó. Follow the hiking trails through the shady pine forests.

ca. 4 to 5 hours
15 km
490 m
490 m

You will spend the day walking through the vineyards. Be sure to stop at one of the many wineries for a tour and wine tasting before reaching the ridge at the top of the eastern slope of the Pinhão Valley. Look around and enjoy the magnificent view of the terraced slopes on the other side and try to spot the villages you walked at the beginning of this walking week. A beautiful view of the valley of the Douro River is worth the effort of this climb. 

ca. 4 to 5 hours
14 km
270 m
450 m

Your last walking stage to Pinhão is quite short, but with a beautiful view over the entire Douro Valley. Enjoy a late lunch in the village or a picnic in one of the vineyards before taking the train back to Porto (exclusive).

The second city of Portugal has a bustling atmosphere, culture, conviviality, and many beautiful sights and you can enjoy excellent cuisine. No fewer than six bridges connect Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the Douro River. The metal bridges Ponte Dom Luís I and Ponte Maria Pia are real icons of the city. Ponte Dom Luís I, the imposing iron pedestrian bridge is the icon of Porto. The atmospheric old centre of Porto, Ribeira, is located on the River Douro. 

Colourful houses, narrow streets, restaurants and traditional Port boats give the neighbourhood a picturesque appearance. The São Bento train station in Porto is one of the most beautiful stations in the world. As many as 20,000 painted tiles, azulejos, adorn the station concourse. The São Bento train station in Porto is one of the most beautiful stations in the world.

ca. 2 to 3 hours
6 km
140 m
470 m

After breakfast, your walking holiday ends and a transfer (included) takes you to Porto airport.

Route information

You always walk on good, unpaved hiking trails. A good basic condition is sufficient for walking times of up to 6 hours and sometimes longer climbs and descents.

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights

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Make an enquiry about 2024 arrival dates and prices for this tour

Prices and services may vary depending on the travel year
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You will stay in charming hotels, beautiful hotels and Pousadas with special locations or special exclusive extras such as a spa, swimming pool or wine cellar.

Prices per person in GBP

Services / Information

Services

Including

  • 7 nights as described, including breakfast
  • 2x dinner in Vilarinho de São Romão
  • 4x picnic basket with Portuguese delicacies (day 2 to 5)
  • Transfer airport Porto-station Porto
  • Transfer hotel Porto-Airport Porto
  • Luggage transfer(s) max. 1 piece of luggage 20 kg per person
  • Travel folder 1x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels)
  • GPS data available on request
  • Service Hotline

Not included

  • Tourist tax, if applicable, is to be paid locally
  • Train journeys Porto-Pinhão (day 1) and Pinhão-Porto (day 7), approx. €25 per person
  • (Optional) Transfer before the start of the walking holiday, Porto center / airport-Pinhão (max. 3 people), costs per trip €260 reservation required, pay in advance
Arrival information
  • Airport: Porto Airport, transfer to Porto station, then train to Pinhão ( www.cp.pt ) Duration: approx. 2.5 hours
  • Train: Pinhao station
  • Parking: Parking at the start hotel

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