Rail and hiking in Portugal: from North to South

Porto is a city that lends itself particularly well to a "city trek", from the large pedestrian avenues to the maze of narrow streets, through cobbled squares and descending the medieval stairs that lead to the Douro River. The itinerary is intended to be intimate while discovering the emblematic monuments adorned with blue and white tiles or sculpted in Nasoni style. In addition to the architecture, it is the Portuguese gastronomy that is the guiding thread of this city trek, with breaks in 6 emblematic places to discover certain culinary specialties: sardines and green wine in the Bolhao market, traditional pastries, turnovers... Finally, the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia where the nectars of the Douro ripen before being shipped all over the world. A guided tour of a winery is unavoidable and included, as well as a Port wine tasting.

Walking: City trek Porto | between 3h and 4h (not counting visits to monuments) | 8 km | Ascent/Descent +/-250m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Porto

Private transfer to the beautiful São Bento train station (10 min). The train (2h40) runs along the banks of the Golden River to the village of Pinhão, nestled in a meander of the Douro. Check-in at your accommodation. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, transfer to the Tedo quinta. Walk through the vineyards and along the Tedo, a beautiful tributary of the Douro. The waterways and the rows of vines on the hillsides paint the landscape. Possibility of tasting Port wines from the quinta. Return by taxi to Pinhão (30 min).

Walk: Quinta Do Tedo | 1h00 (without the visit of the quinta) | 3km | +/-100m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Pinhão

The walking program is based in Pinhão. If lack of availability, you will stay in Regua with the following program :
Private transfer to the beautiful São Bento train station (10 min). The train (2h10) runs along the banks of the Golden River to the capital of the Alto Douro, Peso da Regua, nestled in a meander. Check-in at your accommodation near the train station in the city centre. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, transfer to the Tedo quinta. Walk through the vineyards and along the Tedo, a beautiful tributary of the Douro. Port wine tasting is possible. Return by taxi to Regua (40 min).

Walk: Quinta Do Tedo | 1h00 (without the visit of the quinta) | 3km | Ascent/Descent +/-100m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Regua

Transfer to the village of Provesende, high above the Pinhão valley (20 min). Hike through centuries-old schist terraces where vines alternate with olive and orange groves. The Douro landscape in all its splendour, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is possible to visit the Quinta de la Rosa and taste its nectars, then enjoy boat trip on the Douro to Tua, a tributary of the river (approx 2 hours of navigation).

Walking: Provesende > Pinhao | 2h30 (without the visit to the Quinta de la Rosa) | 5 to 8km | +50m/-500m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night : Pinhão

The walking program is based in Pinhão. If lack of availability, you will stay in Regua with the following program : 
Spectacular train ride (25 min) from Regua to Pinhão, with its small train station covered with azulejos retracing the life of the vineyards. Transfer (20 min) to the village of Provesende, high above the Pinhão Valley. Hike through centuries-old schist terraces where vines alternate with olive and orange groves. The Douro landscape in all its splendour, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is possible to visit the Quinta de la Rosa and then boat trip on the Douro to Tua, a tributary of the river (approx 2 hours of navigation). Return by train to Regua (25 min).

Walking: Provesende > Pinhão | 2h30 (without the visit to the Quinta de la Rosa) | 5 to 8km | Ascent/Descent +50m/-500m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Regua

You take the Train that crosses the north of Portugal to Coimbra (3h30). Embark on a walking tour of the historic centre of this university city, one of the oldest universities in Europe, nestled on a hill surrounded by the Mondego River. Coimbra, which was once an important commercial city and the former capital of the Portuguese kingdom, has a superb botanical garden and architectural gems such as the Monastery of the Holy Cross, the medieval gate of Barbaca, the Cathedral and of course, the University whose construction extends from the twelfth century to the present day and contains one of the most beautiful baroque libraries, the Joanina Library.

Walking: Coimbra City Trek |3h to 3h30 | 5 km  - 3,10 miles| Ascent/Descent +/-100m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Coimbra

Train from Coimbra to Lisbon and transfer to your accommodation. Explore the city on a walking tour of the historic and mythical districts of Lisbon: the Baixa shopping area, Mouraria the cosmopolitan district, Bairro Alto the nightlife district, and Alfama, which hides the secrets of Fado music in its labyrinthine streets. From the pedestrian avenues of the lower city to the alleys and twirling staircases of the hills that lead to the castle, Lisbon is both a historic and modern city, boasting the presence of the Tagus estuary and the proximity of the ocean.

Walking: Lisbon City Trek | 40 to 4h30 | 7km – 4.3miles | Ascent/Descent +/-200m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Lisbon

This morning, you spend the day in Sintra. Train ride to Sintra (45 min). Climb via ancestral paths to the ramparts of the Moorish fortress, before seeing the Pena Palace appear, an extravagant architectural fantasy set on granite chaos. The paths in the palace park invite you to wander among lush subtropical vegetation, with species from all continents and monumental trees that appreciate the microclimate of Sintra. The climb to Cruz alta (528 metres) offers an exceptional view of the Moon mountains which rise towards the ocean. Return by train to Lisbon.

Walking: Loop walk Sintra > hills of Sintra > Sintra  | 4 to 5 hours | 12 to 15km – 7.4 miles to 9.3 miles | Ascent/Descent +/- 500m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Lisbon

You head wouth to the Algarve : Transfer to the train station and train to the Algarve (2h30), which crosses cork oak forests and rice fields. Short transfer (20 min) from Tunes station to the start of your hike in Porto de Mos. The itinerary runs along the coast to the spectacular Ponta da Piedade, a spectacular natural monument with its cliffs, arches, caves and chasms carved by the elements in the ochre limestone. You reach Lagos via the stairs and walkways that overlook the beautiful Dona Ana beach. The pedestrian streets of Lagos' old town bear witness to the stories of this pioneering port for maritime exploration. Local Bus (40 min) to reach the charming coastal village of Salema where you will stay for 3 nights.

Walking: Porto de Mos > Lagos | 3h | 10 km | Ascent/Descent +/-200m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Salema or Lagos

Short transfer to the village of Praia da Luz. This coastal hike allows you to discover secret coves and beaches nestled in limestone cliffs such as Cabanas Velhas or Furnas. The ruins of the Almadena fort and the coastal village of Burgau punctuate this beautiful hike on the Barlavento coast.

Walking: Praia da Luz > Salema | 3h30 | 11km – 6.8miles |  Ascent/Descent +/-320m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Salema or Lagos

You take the local bus (30 min) to Vila do Bispo. From the small market, the itinerary leads to the very tip of Europe, through multicoloured moors and on the edge of cliffs overlooking wild coves, to Cape Saint-Vincent. The spectacular beaches of Ponta Ruiva or Telheiros, the geological diversity of the cliffs frequented by barnacle fishermen and the botanical diversity make this an emblematic hike. Return by transfer to Salema.

Walk: Vila Do Bispo >  Cape Saint Vincent | 4h30 | 14km - 8.7 miles | Ascent/Descent  +/-200m
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Salema or Lagos

Morning transfer (20 min) to Lagos train station to take the regional train that crosses the Algarve from West to East to Faro (1h45 ride). Explore Faro at leisure, from the pedestrian streets of the "Baixa" to the old town within the city walls. Medieval Moorish walls, the cathedral and "Pombaline" buildings from the eighteenth century form a harmonious historic centre, and the marina opens onto the Ria Formosa lagoon.

Walking: Faro City Trek | approx. 2 hr in the city, not including visits to monuments | 3.5 km – 1.8 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Faro

Morning regional train to Olhão (20 min). The alleys of the old town of Olhão medina, with statues or murals that relate the myths and legends of the region, lead to the market, one of the liveliest in the region. Boat trip (shuttle or water taxi) between the islets and banks of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, an ecosystem that lives between land and sea to the rhythm of the tides.  After the sandy alleys of the pretty fishing village of Culatra, walk on the immense beach of this barrier island, the last rampart before the ocean. Return by boat and then train to Faro.

Walk: Culatra Island walk | 3h | 9 km | quasi flat
Meals included: Breakfast
Night: Faro

Breakfast and optional transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Meals included: Breakfast