Portugal’s Costa Verde Walking

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Porto

Transfer to the Hotel. Dinner at Hotel.

Viana do castelo – Nossa Sra Agonia

Day 2 – Âncora Valley

This gentle introduction to the area is centered on the valley of the river Ancora itself. We walk through lush green fields still farmed in the classic Minho style. Charming villages dot the valley and may enable us to have a civilized coffee for our mid-morning break.
At the center of the walk is the river Ancora with its many old crossing points and its sparkling crystal clear waters.

Rock beach – Vila Praia âncora

Day 3 – Dem Walk

Today we move onto the lower slopes of the Serra d’Arga and walk through villages nestled in the foothills.
The high slopes of the Serra d’Arga are above us but our meandering route takes us through the fields and villages along the lower slopes.
We will visit the main village of the area, S. Lourenço de Montaria with its charming, shady square.
After lunch, we descend again into the valley of the river Ancora where the river again accompanies us as it cascades down through rock pools, passes under ancient bridges, and gently winds its way through fields.

Lagoon in Serra D’Arga

Day 4 – Caminha – Vila Praia de Ancora – Afife Walk

One of our half coastal and half inland walks. We begin in the historic town of Caminha and the morning is spent following the spectacular rocky coastline arriving back in Vila Praia de Ancora in time for a leisurely lunch. The second half of our walk goes inland along the popular Caminho de Santiago where we can wish pilgrims “Bom Caminho”.
In this walk some clients may wish to join the walk only for the morning and have an easy afternoon, others can have a relaxed morning and join the afternoon walk.

Walking in Vila Praia âncora

Day 5 – Santa Tecla, Galicia Walk

Santa Tecla where every stone seems to ooze with Celtic history. We ferry across the estuary of the river Minho and walk up the dramatic hillside of Santa Tecla.
The spectacular views from the top of the hillside are made even more interesting by the simple sanctuary at the summit and the remarkable remains of the Celtic settlement.
Although this is not a demanding day anyone who does not want to walk to the top can have an easy low-level wander through the charming village of Camposancos and enjoy a stroll along the estuary.

Vale D’Âncora

Day 6 – Afife and Carreço walk

Our second day of coastal and inland walking again mixes with the Caminho de Santiago, this time through the villages of Afife and Carreço nestled at the base of the wooded hillside before we join the coast and follow our favorite section of coastline with golden sandy beaches and protected coves, waves crashing on the rocks where, even today, some people still harvest the seaweed, a final remnant of a once-thriving way of life.

Serra D’arga

Day 7 – Serra d’Arga Walk

Today we go into the mountains. After driving as high as we can we walk up the final section of the northern slopes of the Serra d’Arga before walking across the high-level plateau that forms the summit to Porta do Lobo, the “Gate of the wolf”.
Here we feel on top of the world looking down into the valley of the River Lima and across to the high mountains of the Gerês and Peneda ranges beyond.
From here an ancient stone trail gently winds down the hillside and our walk continues through the iconic Arga villages.
After an easy but rewarding 12km whilst relaxing in the Taberna do Horacio some may choose to finish here while others may continue to a further village for a real full day’s walking.

Castro de Santa Tecla – Galicia

Day 8 – Departure

Transfer from hotel to Porto Airport.