Culture and enjoyment in the valley of enchantment.
The Douro is the third-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. It springs in the Spanish province of Soria and flows through northern Spain and northern Portugal. From Porto you can get to know this unique cultural landscape and the Douro Valley. You will find out that it is not called the "Valley of Enchantment" for nothing.
Alongside the tasty Douro wine, such as Port wine, the river meanders through the picturesque hillsides and a unique cultural landscape. Along the blue glittering Douro lie the villages and museums of this Portuguese region and invite you to visit them.
Let yourself be enchanted by the local wineries, the award-winning table wines and the unique charm!
Details of the hiking holiday in the Douro Valley
Whether the western slopes of the Pinhão Valley or through the villages of São Cristovão do Douro - the views of the surrounding vineyards are more than worthwhile! This is accompanied by home-cooked dinner from the warm hosts and a deep red port wine, matured in barrique barrels. How wonderful!
On day five, a circular tour including a detour to the village of São Mameda da Ribatua awaits you, from where you can see the spectacular rocks and mountains of Portugal. Return in the shade through dense pine forests to Alijó.
Tip: Be sure to order a Pastel de Nata with your coffee. This puff pastry treat with custard cream is typical of Portugal and a real taste sensation!
The highlights of the hiking tour
Picnic on the riverbank: A small raffia picnic basket, Portuguese delicacies and a delicious wine – could it get any better? At the Pinhão River, you can not only feast but also enjoy the magnificent views of the countryside.
Porto: Historical sights or charming neighbourhoods and streets like Rua das Flores or the Ribeira district - Porto has postcard charm!
Useful information about hiking in the Douro Valley
Over eight days you hike through wonderful Portugal. You travel over good, unpaved paths for a maximum of six hours per day. From time to time, you may have to cover longer ascents and descents.
Nevertheless, Portugal is a real pearl and has an impressive landscape to offer. After all, nowhere else will you see idyllic vineyards paired with magnificent river deltas.
Active holidays with Charm
On our ‘Hiking Tours with Charm’ you can enjoy the full service of our individual active holidays while staying in very special accommodation with that extra something in the best location. That means you can look forward to luxury furnishings and decor in the local style, as well as cuisine at the highest level. Many of our hotels with charm also offer large pools and a wellness area where you can relax after a lovely day of hiking.
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!
approx. 2 to 3 hours
6 km
60 m
470 m
Day
8
Departure or extra days
Tour character
You are hiking on solid, unpaved trails. For walking times up to max. 6 hours and the sometimes a little bit longer ascents and descents, a good basic fitness level is enough to feel comfortable.
Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
GPS-data available (GPS-device on spot included)
Service hotline
Optional:
Transfer from Porto center/airport to Pinhão (max. 3 people), cost per trip EUR 260, reservations required, payable in advance.
Infos
Arrival / Departure:
Airport Porto and organized transfer to the station Porto-Campanhã. You continue by train (www.cp.pt) to Pinhão, duration approx. 2,5 hours. Return transfer from your hotel in Porto to the airport at the end of your trip, transfer included in the tour package.
Things to note:
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
Train journey Porto – Pinhão (1st day) and Pinhão – Porto (7th day), approx. EUR 25 per person
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
Accommodation
LBV House Hotel
★★★
The LBV House Hotel with its wonderfully quiet location amidst the wine region of Alto Douro offers its guests every comfort.
LBV House Hotel
★★★
The LBV House Hotel with its wonderfully quiet location amidst the wine region of Alto Douro offers its guests every comfort. Rooms with modern interior and a traditional wine bar create an enchanting ambience. From the terrace and the marvellous outdoor pool you enjoy a unique view onto the surrounding vineyards and the glistening Douro below you. Get in a delightful mood for your hiking week with a glass of port wine.
After your hike, the pool lures you to jump into the cool water. Relax in the pure feel-good atmosphere of the venerable mansion.
Casa de Vilarinho de São Romão
In the comfortable feel-good ambience of the noble manor Casa de Vilarinho de São Romão charming and traditionally decorated rooms await with large windows, which are perfect to marvel at the characteristic vineyard scenery of the Douro-river valley. After your hiking tour the pool invites you for a plunge into the cool water, in the cosy front room with open fire and on the lovely terrace you can enjoy a relaxed evening.
A perfect combination of comfortable and modern interior of the rooms, as well as a historic elegance awaits in the Pousada do Barão de Forrester.
Pousada do Barão de Forrester
A perfect combination of comfortable and modern interior of the rooms, as well as a historic elegance awaits in the Pousada do Barão de Forrester. Find relaxation and regeneration in a traditional atmosphere, in the evening enjoy the beautiful front room with open fire to revel and linger. The generously designed grounds and the pool turn your stay into an unforgettable experience for the senses.
The view from the pool onto the green hills below will be engrained in your memory for a very long time!
Casa de Casal de Loivos
Situated in a wonderfully elevated lookout location in the heart of the Douro-river valley, surrounded by vineyards and with a spectacular view onto the expansive valley, is the manor Casa de Casal de Loivos dating back to the 17th century. Elegant rooms, combined with a comfortable sun terrace cater for enjoyable hours. The restaurant of the accommodation serves delicacies prepared with local ingredients and traditional family recipes. The view from the pool onto the green hills below will be engrained in your memory for a very long time!
As a finale to your holiday a unique design-hotel awaits situtated in the historic centre of Porto and right on the banks of Douro River.
Neya Hotel Porto
★★★★
As a finale to your holiday a unique design-hotel awaits situtated in the historic centre of Porto and right on the banks of Douro River. In just a few minutes you reach the most important sights of this lively harbour town. You can enjoy creative cuisine in the hotel restaurant Viva Porto and relax to the fullest in the spa. Why not reminisce about your experiences on your hiking holiday over a nice glass of port wine on the dreamlike roof terrace with a view of the river Revue!
Eine perfekt geplante und sehr schöne Wanderung durch die Weinberge des Douro-Tals mit herrlichen Ausblicken. Tolle, abwechslungsreiche Unterkünfte mit gutem Service. Auch gut: zur Verfügung gestelltes GPS-Gerät sowie die Unterlagen zur Wanderung. Zum Abschluss zwei perfekte Tage in Porto in einem modernen und zentralen Hotel.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4 stars
Bernhard R. |10.08.2020
Wanderung durch die Weinberge in der alten Weinanbauregion Douro-Tal
Nachhaltige Wandererlebnisse in den Weinbergen und prächtige Aussichten in das Douro-Tal. Tolle trendige Hotels mit durchwegs freundlichem Personal. Der von uns selbst gewählte Wandertermin im Juli kann aufgrund der hohen Tagestemperaturen nur bedingt empfohlen werden, besser Frühjahr oder Herbst.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4 stars
Ulla-Karin Hultinger |15.08.2019
Douro
Sehr gut organisierte Tour. Immer freundliche Leute und fantastische Natur.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4 stars
Patrick W. |04.06.2019
Schöne Wandertour mit kulinarischen Highlights
Tolle Tagestouren mit schönen Aussichtspunkten durch die Weinberge entlang des Douro. Kulinarisch wurden wir sehr verwöhnt, sowohl zum Abendessen als auch mit den Lunchpaketen. Die Unterkünfte waren bis auf eine sehr gut. Wir sind auf dieser Reise sehr vielen netten und freundlichen Menschen begegnet und würden diese Reise auf jeden Fall weiter empfehlen.
ValerieHaringanswered:
Sehr geehrter Wandergast, herzlichen Dank für Ihr Reisefeedback! Wir werden alle Unterkünfte noch einmal eingehend prüfen um allen Gästen auf dieser Reise ein rund um perfektes Wandererlebnis bieten zu können. Es würde uns sehr freuen, Sie bald wieder einmal auf einer unserer Reisen begrüßen zu dürfen!