Walking tour by the Douro wine country and historical villages

Join this Douro walking tour, fit for walkers, hikers or traill runners who want to discover the world’s first demarcated wine region and the portuguese historical villages of the Nort of Portugal. Walkby the Dour’s riverside, enjoying its trademark UNESCO world heritage “socalcos” or terraced vineyards and experience the secular traditions of this region. Hike the most scenic trails of the region, vsit the wine cellars, taste some of the best port and Douro wines and discover traces of the early history of Portugal, from up to 30000 years old in the historical villages to the north of the country. Challenge yourself up to top of the most beautiful viewpoints, descend towards the Côa Valley to visit it’s paleolithical engravings, visit the medieval castles and enjoy the rugged nature of the Douro International park and it’s backroads.

The sheer history of this region starts and ends in Porto, one of the oldest city centres in Europe, settled in the 4th century during the roman occupation when it was named Portus Cale, to the UNESCO world heritage “socalcos”, that hold the wine farms on the steep hills of the Douro river, and to its own unique traditions, architecture, port wines and cellars. Visit the Paleolithic archaeological sites with pre-historic rock art engravings and drawings dated from 22000-20000 years BC and spend your night in some of the historical villages of Portugal, with their very own medieval castles.

In this Walking tour in the Douro you’ll get to experience beautiful landscapes and vantage points over the Douro valley, also a UNESCO world heritage site, due to it’s trademark “socalcos” or terraced vineyards; the undiscovered paradise of one of the most remote areas in Portugal, the Douro International Park: never-ending olive oil and orange fields, river beaches and animal life. Visit the authentic and picturesque villages of Peso da Régua, Pinhão, Marialva, Barca d’Alva; They are all close or on the riverbank of the Douro “expressway” and were historically focused on the commerce and transportation of the grapes and the wine, to and from Porto, in the traditional “Rabelo” boats that docked in their ports.

Taste the different wines of the Douro valley wine country, from the world famous and acclaimed vintage Port wines, which were recently nominated 2014’s best wines in the world to the prized red and white Douro wines. Experience the wine production system: help the farmers stomp the grapes in traditional fashion, visit the farms and the wineries and observe as the “Rabelo” boats carry the wine towards the city of Porto. Indulge in the local gastronomy, always varied and tasty, whether in Michelin starred restaurants or local “tascas”. Meat lovers won’t forget the “Posta Mirandesa” or the oven baked and smoked meats.

Dine and sleep in local charming hotels, once wineries or medieval castles, but now fully equipped hotels with their very own spas and amazing amenities to make you feel comfortable. Climb aboard a boat and sail in the Douro to discover the region from a different perspective.

Challenge yourself in this walking tour in the Douro, by hiking towards the viewpoints and get a privileged look at the world’s most beautiful wine growing area. And fully enjoy the long, sweeping and car-free descents of the Douro International Park. Choose everyday between shorter or longer hikes and define your own goals and pace throughout your hiking experience.

Day 1: Arrival in Porto – Transfer to Pinhão

Transfer from Porto airport to your hotel in Pinhão, in the heart of the Douro River. Stay either at Quinta de La Rosa or Vintage House Douro, a 5 star hotel by the Douro river ( premium option). Free day to rest at the hotel.

Hotel: Quinta de La Rosa or Vintage House Douro (“premium” option) or similar

Day 2: Douro walking tour: Pinhão loop ( 7km to 12km loop hike)

Breakfast at the hotel. We'll start walking from our hotel towards Pinhão's Marina and train station, before heading to Quinta do Bonfim, by the Douro's riverside. Then, we'll start climbing towards Casal de Loios viewpoint, by the Douro valley vineyards. Hiking by the terraced vineyards in the local farms, we'll be able to see the local grape varieties, while overlooking the river. Our hike will lead us to Quinta da Rôeda, where we'll stop to taste the local wines and visit the farm, before heading back to Pinhão, in time for lunch and relax in the afternoon by your hotel, or maybe go on a boat ride by the river.

Hotel: Quinta de La Rosa or Vintage House Douro (“premium” option) or similar

Day 3: Douro walking tour: Pinhão – Provesende ( 7km to 12km hike)

Breakfast at the hotel. Start of our hike, by the famous São Cristovão trail, towards Provesende, one of the most precious villages in the region. This is a steep hike, by the backroads and vineyard trails alongside Pinhão river, which we will complete at the group's pace. We'll ike by farms and see the wine being produced by local farmers, taste local bread, and reach Provesende's quaint center, before having lunch at Morgadio da Calçada, a 17th century manour house we will visit and where we'll taste the local wines and flavours, in a very historical setting. Check in at your hotel in Provesende, Quinta das Manhãs do Douro or Morgadio da Calçada ( included in the premium option).

Hotel: Quinta das Manhãs do Douro or Morgadio da Calçada (“premium” option) or similar

Day 4: Douro walking tour: Ervedosa loop ( 7.5km to 18km hike)

Breakfast at the hotel. Quick transfer to Ervedosa, to explore the southbank of the Douro river. Start our hike in Ervedosa, we'll be able to choose a shorter loop hike ( 7.5km) towards the slopes of the "rio Torto", or a longer 18km hike leading us towards the Douro. Both options offer panoramic views while hiking by the vineyards, and both end in Ervedosa do Douro, where an amazing lunch awaits, at one of our favourite restaurants in Portugal. After lunch, you'll be transfered to Longroiva Thermal resort or Casas do Côro ( included in the "premium" option), where you'll be able to relax and enjoy the local SPA's in these charm units.

Hotel: Termas de Longroiva or Casas do Côro (included in “premium option”)

Day 5: Douro walking tour: Marialva / Longroiva loop hike ( 6 to 12km hike)

Breakfast at the hotel. We'll transfer you to Marialva ( you'll already be there on our premium option), so that we start our hike in this historical village of Portugal. We'll start our hike by the medieval castle, which we will visit to witness ancient portuguese history, and then choose from a few options, from a 6km to 12km loop around this historical village. All of these options will provide us with a stunning scenery, in a seemingly untouched area of the world where we'll find ancient human presence everywhere we go. The rugged and rocky atmosphere of the Center of Portugal is beautiful to explore. Lunch at Casas do Côro, followed by a relaxing afternoon enjoying the local culture or an optional boat ride by the international Douro.

Hotel: Termas de Longroiva or Casas do Côro (included in “premium option”)

Day 6: Douro walking tour: Foz Côa engravings hike ( 6 to 13km hike)

Breakfast at the hotel. A quick transfer to the interpretation center of the Foz Côa paleolithic engravings, and we'll start our daily hike from there, descending to the Côa valley, to see the 22000 year old engravings that resist time in the Côa valley. The hike, amidst the olive and almond trees characteristic of the region, will take you on a journet across time. After the hike, we'll transfer you back to your hotel, to enjoy the local thermal resort or SPA.

Hotel: Termas de Longroiva or Casas do Côro (included in “premium option”)

Day 7: Marialva / Longroiva – Porto (transfer)

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out at the hotel and transfer to Porto airport or hotel

EXTENDED STAY IN PORTO, PINHÂO or MARIALVA / LONGROIVA: On Demand

Extend your stay in Porto, Pinhão or Marialva for an extra day before or after this trip.