Douro-Valley with Charm

After your arrival in Pinhão, take a stroll around the vineyards, sample their wines or take a boat trip along the river. In the evening, take the chance to enjoy tasty local dishes in the splendid restaurants of this charming village.

Today you explore the western slopes of the Pinhão-valley, as you climb to the hillside villages of São Cristovão do Douro and Provosende. The views of the surrounding vineyards will more than compensate your efforts. End the day with a warm welcome and a home-cooked meal at Casa de Vilarinho de São Romão, where a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool or a nap in the comfortable guest lounge await you.

With Vilarinho de São Romão as your base, today’s circular route winds down to the Pinhão River via a couple of small villages and wine estates and along the opposite hillsides, through the vineyards, with varied landscapes and splendid views throughout. Relax at a riverside picnic spot before making your way uphill to the village of Celeirós, where you can stop to taste the wines at Quinta do Portal before returning to your delightful accommodation.

Enjoy views across the valley on your way towards the pretty village of Sabrosa. Follow an ancient road between here and Favaios, as you head down through the vineyard terraces to the river. Wend your way uphill again between grape vines and olive groves towards a distinctly different landscape. Taste traditional wood oven-baked bread and moscatel wine in Favaios, then continue to the small, historical town of Alijó.

Today’s walk is a circular route from Alijó that undulates through an ever-changing patchwork of vineyards and fields towards the ancient village of São Mamede de Ribatua, with spectacular views of the surrounding rock-strewn mountains. Return to Alijó in the shade of the pine forests.

Spend the day walking through vineyards, perhaps calling in at a wine estate or two for a tour and tasting session before reaching the ridge at the top of the eastern slopes of the Pinhão Valley. Look back at the terraced slopes opposite to identify the villages you passed by earlier in the week. You’ll have magnificent views of the Douro river, before reaching the last village of the day. Once there, take the chance to visit the nearby olive oil museum.

Today’s rather short but stunning walk down to Pinhão leaves you with time for a final winery tour and tasting session overlooking the Douro River. Enjoy lunch in the village or a picnic in the vineyards, before taking the train back to Porto for a night in the heart of the city. Take your time to explore the city’s historical monuments, but also revitalised areas such as Rua das Flores and the riverside Ribeira district. If you have some time left, cross the river and visit at least one of the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia to see and smell where the barrels of aging wine are stored – and raise your glass to an unforgettable hiking journey!