Walking in The Magical Douro

Small Group Walking

Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights

Grade: Moderate (4/8)

The magical Douro is a walking and sightseeing tour, with three distinct centers: Porto, Miranda do Douro, and Régua. This three-center holiday travels up the Douro Valley, allowing us to explore its furthest regions towards the Spanish frontier.

Our journey takes us on one of the world’s most spectacular railway lines, as we follow the great Douro River from its estuary, where the ancient city of Porto is situated, through the famous Port wine vineyards and into the upper reaches of Portugal, where the river forms the border with Spain.

The holiday offers easy walking in this attractive region, particularly noted for its wine production.

  • Groups accepted with a minimum of 6 pax.

Tour Description

Groups accepted with a minimum of 6 pax.

 

Those who have seen the Douro Valley in travelogues will know how beautiful and unspoiled the central and upper reaches of the valley are, with deep valleys and plateaus interspersed with ancient villages and castles that bear witness to struggles over the centuries.

The holiday offers easy walking in this attractive region, particularly noted for its wine production.

Douro river has a wonderful atmosphere

Douro river has a wonderful atmosphere

Porto, situated on the Douro River, is the capital of the north and the second-largest city in Portugal. It is now a World Heritage Site and has been the center of the port wine trade for centuries.

Guimarães is a delightful medieval town and the birthplace of Portugal. It was here that the creation of a nation began. Beautiful Vila do Conde lies on the coast and is famous for the construction of traditional wooden fishing boats and lace making.

Miranda Do Douro is a charming medieval town, and from here our walks pass through villages where people still follow an ancient way of life, still speaking the ancient Mirandese language, that has survived through the centuries.

Douro Valley harvest season

Harvest in Douro valley

In Régua, known as the ‘Capital of the Douro’ because of its role in the port industry, we will be able to see how port is made.

Our walks will take us through the distinctive landscape of vineyards that provide the grapes. Here, we will visit Lamego, a magnificent old town, rich in history and culture and full of charm. The shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios is one of the greatest baroque structures in Europe.

Finally, we return to Porto by train for the final night of our holiday, a time to look back at our experiences in the distinctive landscapes of the Douro.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Porto

Arrive at Porto airport. Transfer to hotel. Orientation walk time permitting.

Porto

Porto

Day 2 – Porto

Porto, dramatically perched at the mouth of the Rio Douro has a wonderful atmosphere.
It is packed with ancient and great monuments rubbing shoulders with everyday Portuguese life.
The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of historic buildings and outstanding monuments as well as quaint medieval streets.
Our walk takes in some of Porto´s most iconic monuments and places such as the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange, S. Bento Station, the Praça da Ribeira, and the Port Lodges.

Day 3 – Guimarães

Guimarães is a charming and historic city and is regarded as the birthplace of Portugal.
Its extensive history is reflected in the variety of national monuments and historic buildings found within the city.
It is a World Heritage Site, and its charming medieval center is a warren of labyrinthine lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th-century edifices, while on an adjacent hill stands a 1000-year-old castle.

Day 4 – Miranda do Douro

We leave Porto to take the fabulous train journey along the River Douro valley which is also a World Heritage Site in its entirety.
The journey offers magnificent views and is one of the most famous railway journeys in the world.
We travel through the wide-open landscapes of remote North-East Portugal. Its vast plateaus offer us vistas of almond trees, vineyards, and olive orchards.
In its rolling meadows, we see the magnificent cows of this area placidly eating in amongst the sheep and the rare breed of local giant donkeys.
Miranda do Douro is a gem of a medieval township, once a frontier post on the edge of the dramatic Douro gorge.

Arribas do Douro

Arribas do Douro

Day 5 – Vale de Mira

A fascinating introduction to the area as we walk through two villages and begin to appreciate the local culture and way of life.
This will be a half-day enabling us to have lunch in Miranda and explore the town.

Distance: 11.5km; Ascent/Descent: +/- 150m

Rio Douro at the heart of the demarcated port-wine region.

Rio Douro is at the heart of the demarcated port-wine region.

Day 6 – Fresno Valley

This varied walk explores the valley of the river Fresno, a patchwork of fields, smallholdings, and woodland.
We pass through the traditional village of Palancar giving the impression of stepping back hundreds of years.

Distance: 11.5km; Ascent/Descent: +/- 150m

Arribas do Douro

Arribas do Douro

Day 7 – Vale D’Águia and the Douro Arribas

We visit S João das Arribas, where a tiny chapel perches high above the River Douro offering dramatic views.
Again we visit traditional villages and, at one point, the site of an ancient Castro (prehistoric settlement).

Distance: 16km; Ascent/Descent: +150m/-120m

Douro Valley harvest season

Harvest in Douro valley

Day 8 – Senhora do Picão

The walk is on good tracks and passes through a number of quaint villages, as well as the ruins of Nossa Senhora do Picão, where, it is said that the Virgin Mary appeared several times to a little girl, prior to the Fatima apparitions.
The waters of the well here are said to have healing properties.

Distance: 16km; Ascent/Descent: mostly flat

Peso da Regua and the landscape of the Douro Valley

Peso da Regua and the landscape of the Douro Valley

Day 9 – Régua

From Miranda, we travel to Régua giving us the opportunity to admire and enjoy once again the fabulous scenery.
Régua is the center of the Douro valley, famous of course for its wines, not just the famous port wine but also many very fine table wines.
Our walks will go through this fantastic landscape of steeply sloping and terraced vineyards and olive groves.

Portugal Senhora da Oliveira Church

Portugal Senhora da Oliveira Church

Day 10 – S. Domingos

This walk starts at the hilltop Chapel of S. Domingos catching stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
On our way back down we pass through a patchwork of vineyards before we reach the river Douro and the dam.
En route we will have the opportunity to visit a family-owned Port winery where we will learn a lot about the trade and, of course, we’ll taste some fine ports.

Distance: 12km; Ascent/Descent: minimal/-650m

Walking group in Douro world’s oldest demarcated wine regions (since 1756), the Douro Valley

Walking group in Douro world’s oldest demarcated wine regions (since 1756), the Douro Valley

Day 11 – Lamego

Today we visit this old town that can trace its history back to before Roman times and has been at the center of Portuguese history since the implementation of the fledgling kingdom.
The sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios dominates the town. The stunning staircase of 686 steps leads up to the sanctuary from the wide, shady avenue that bisects the town.

The dramatic landscape of the Douro Valley walking

Exploring The Douro Valley walking a World Heritage Site

Day 12 – S. Leonardo da Galafura

Our walk starts at the hilltop viewpoint of S Leonardo de Galafura.
From here the vistas over the slopes of vineyards and the blue ribbon of the river Douro at the bottom are breathtaking.
Our route descends through the vineyards arriving at the riverside village of Covelinhas our mid-way point.

Distance: 13.6km; Ascent/Descent: +120m/-600m

Douro most scenic rail routes in Portugal

Douro train stunning landscapes Portugal

Day 13 – Corgo Valley

This is a lovely day with great views on the way. We begin walking down the route of an old railway line with spectacular views over the Corgo valley with terraced vineyards on either side that seems to defy gravity.
After lunch, we descend through vineyards and back down through the old streets of Régua’s upper town.

Distance: 13km; Ascent/Descent: +170m/-400m

Walking in Aqueduto de Vilarinho Portugal

Aqueduto_de_Vilarinho__Miranda_do_Douro

Day 14 – Porto

Transfer to Porto and free afternoon.

Rabelo boats in Douro River

Rabelo boats in Douro River

Day 15 – Departure

Transfer from hotel to Porto airport.

What's included

Accommodation

  • 14 nights in a twin standard room for two pax

3 nights in Porto
5 nights in Miranda do Douro
5 nights in Régua
1 night in Porto

  • Shared ensuite room with a traveling companion of the same sex
  • Single supplement available with a surcharge
  • Extra nights available on request

Meals

  • 14 buffet breakfasts at the Hotel
  • 14 Dinners with drinks included

Transport

  • Meet & Greet Airport Transfer to the hotel on the first day – group transfer
  • Transfer from the hotel to the airport on last day – group transfer
  • All transports to walks and activities (as outlined) with dedicated driver and vehicle
  • Additional transfers are available on request at an extra cost

Tour Leaders

  • Dedicated English speaking local tour leader
    The tour leader will assist and guide the group throughout the holidays, handle all the arrangements and other needs that might arise, making sure that you don’t have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday
    Each evening, your tour leader will discuss the details and program for the following day

Walks and Activities

  • Walks according to program
  • 1 wine tasting

Exclusions

Any services not listed as included

  • Flights to and from Portugal
  • Meals, tips/gratuities, baggage, or personal insurance (except as outlined)
  • Admission fees to castles & attractions or events (except as outlined)
  • Personal expenses
  • Supplements
  • Guide services inside monuments

Insurance

You must be adequately insured to join our Guided walking holidays and Self-Guided walking holidays. We do not insist that you insure with us but we require that you are adequately insured for the nature of your holiday.

BeCool Travel has partnered with WorldNomads.com to keep you traveling safely. WorldNomads.com Travel Insurance is designed for independent and adventurous travelers, with coverage for overseas medical expenses, cancellation, baggage, and other expenses.

Please consult our Travel Insurance page, where you’ll be able to get more detailed info about insurance requirements and an immediate quote for your trip.