Featured holiday Douro wine region walking holiday Portugal

You reach your first overnight stop today with your own travel arrangements, arriving first in Porto where you’ll be briefed on your route and then you take a train to Pinhao in the Douro Valley. The train journey takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes and on arrival make sure you don’t miss the beautiful panels of azulejos tiles adorning the inside of the station, built at the end of the 19th century. Allow time to check your kit, pack your rucksack and study your guides and maps. Pinhao is considered to be the geographical centre of the Douro wine region and it is here that many of the Port wine estates are to be found.

Today’s walk is probably the most demanding walk you’ll do this week thanks to the steep ascent to the villages of Sao Cristovao de Douro (1.3km) and then Provesende (3km). Take your time as you ascend from about 80m to 636m. The initial section is pleasant and easy along the Pinhao River, a tributary of the mighty Douro. There is a contrast between the natural rocky valley scenery and the man-made patterns of the vineyards on the surrounding hillsides. You pass an old watermill before heading uphill through a patch of forest towards the first village, being rewarded by stunning views. Then you climb up through a wine estate and along old country lanes to the charming wine-producing village of Provesende. This village has a proud history, evident from its handsome white-plastered buildings, trimmed with stone and displaying aristocratic coats of arms. The village is famous for its bakery, Padaria Fatima, in operation since 1940, and the Morgadio Da Calcada, a 17th century manor house, whose Port is produced in partnership with Dirk van der Niepoort. A packed lunch is provided for you before you leave Pinhao, but there are places in Provesende to stop for lunch too. Then the rest of the route to Vilarinho de Sao Romao is mostly level as you pass an amphitheatre of terraced vines. Dinner is included at your country house accommodation tonight.
Distance: About 9.5 kms
Time: About 3 hrs

Today is a welcome, less challenging walk, much either downhill or level, and just with a final climb. However, it is a delightful day’s walk that awaits you, taking you away from Vilarinho de Sao Romao downhill through patches of forest and vineyards to the village of Paradelinha, about 1.4 km from the Pinhao River. Then you head up the other side of the valley to the mid-line, passing some wine estates, to walk along the middle of the hillside and back down to the river at an attractive riverside picnic area. The scenery is picturesque and varied offering lots of photo opportunities. From the river, there is, of course, a climb but not as steep as yesterday’s but again affording lovely views. You reach the wine village of Celeiros and have the chance to visit the Quinta do Portal for a wine tasting session to round off your walk. Dinner is included at your country house accommodation tonight.
Distance: About 13 kms
Time: About 4 hours

Today’s linear walk takes you through Sabrosa (3km), the town where the explorer Magellan was born in or around 1480, and then along ancient, unpaved roads through more wine estates, but dropping down to cross the Pinhao river (6.6 km) and then climbing gently,  passing through Soutelinho (11km) towards Favaios (13.6 km), famous for its wood-oven baked bread and muscatel wines. Visit the local museum and a bakery to learn more about these local traditions. From Favaios, it’s a short, pleasant walk through farmland to the market town of Alijo, at the far edge of the Douro wine region, with rocky mountains looming nearby. Your hotel in Alijo is a traditional pousada with outdoor swimming pool and tennis court.
Distance: About 16 kms
Time: About 5 hrs

Today is a circular walk with a change of scenery from the flat vineyards belonging to the villagers at Alijo to the larger wine estates with their curves, stripes and patterns on the landscape. The peaks of the Douro wine region in the distance are within view as you make your way down to the village of Sao Mamede de Ribatua (8km). Stroll around the statue garden before enjoying your packed lunch, or sampling lunch at a local restaurant, O Vizinho. The return walk starts with a fairly steep climb out of the village before levelling out for the rest of the trail which leads through more small vineyards before you reach Alijo where you stay for a second night.
Distance: About 15 kms
Time: About 4.5 hours

This is one of the longest days but there are fewer hills to climb and much of the route is either on a level or downhill. This morning there is the opportunity to visit a winery this morning to taste their wines or grape juice. You walk through the charming countryside to reach the ridge that runs along the hilltop where you’ll have magnificent views of the Pinhao Valley and the surrounding hills. You’ll be able to make out some of the places you have visited already or skirted close to. A packed lunch accompanies you today which you can enjoy at a place of your choosing. One of the highlights of today’s route comes right at the end when you curve around the hillside before reaching Casal de Loivos to get splendid views of the Douro River and valley. There is an olive oil museum in the village where you can do an olive oil tasting as well as visit local wineries. Your accommodation tonight is charming and traditional, set amongst the vine with a swimming pool, and offering local cuisine and their own wine.
Distance: About 13.9 kms
Time: About 4.5 hrs

Your final walk in the Douro wine region is a short one but offers a thoroughly picturesque end to the walking holiday as you make your way downhill from Casal de Loivos enjoying spectacular views of the River Douro and its surrounding hillside and vineyards. Depending on the time of your train from Pinhao, there might be time for a tour and tasting session at the Quinta da Roeda or the Quinta do Bomfim. There are restaurants in Pinhao where you can have lunch  before you need to claim your luggage by the station to take the train back to Porto. On arrival in Porto, you should take a taxi from the station to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city, its wine cellars and find somewhere for dinner this evening.
Distance: About 6 kms
Time: About 2 hours

The tour arrangements end with a transfer from your hotel to Porto airport.