Duration
8 days/7 nights/6 stages
Trip type
Hiking
Accomodation
Selected
Premium
Accommodations offering top-tier comfort, distinctive character, and unique charm. Includes 5-star hotels, the finest rooms in 4-star hotels when 5-star options are unavailable, historic properties, and intimate boutique hotels with a refined atmosphere.
Selected
Comfortable and hand-picked accommodations in central locations, offering a mix of quality and local charm. Features 4-star hotels, 3-star hotels when 4-star options are unavailable, charming guesthouses, and small traditional accommodations that reflect local culture and hospitality.
Casual
Comfortable and practical accommodations for relaxed travelers. Includes 3-star hotels, 2-star hotels when 3-star options are unavailable, and small, simple lodgings that provide an essential but pleasant stay.
Glamping
A unique and stylish outdoor experience blending nature with comfort. Encompasses luxury tents, elegant bungalows, barrel bungalows, and treehouses, offering an adventurous yet refined retreat.
Accommodations offering top-tier comfort, distinctive character, and unique charm. Includes 5-star hotels, the finest rooms in 4-star hotels when 5-star options are unavailable, historic properties, and intimate boutique hotels with a refined atmosphere.
Selected
Comfortable and hand-picked accommodations in central locations, offering a mix of quality and local charm. Features 4-star hotels, 3-star hotels when 4-star options are unavailable, charming guesthouses, and small traditional accommodations that reflect local culture and hospitality.
Casual
Comfortable and practical accommodations for relaxed travelers. Includes 3-star hotels, 2-star hotels when 3-star options are unavailable, and small, simple lodgings that provide an essential but pleasant stay.
Glamping
A unique and stylish outdoor experience blending nature with comfort. Encompasses luxury tents, elegant bungalows, barrel bungalows, and treehouses, offering an adventurous yet refined retreat.
Levels
Moderate
We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.
Route
From 70km/43mi to 94km/58mi
Recommended airport
Porto Airport
Recommended season
March to June and September to November
Overview
The Douro International Natural Park showcases Portugal’s remote mountainous beauty and the Douro River’s wildest trails. Covering 86,500 hectares along the Spanish border, the park features towering 350-metre cliffs that shelter endangered birds like the Egyptian vulture, golden eagle, and black stork. Starting in Miranda do Douro, the trail winds through villages such as Picote and Sendim, rich in traditions and handicrafts. Agriculture thrives here, with olive oil, almonds, wine, figs, and Mirandesa cattle. Explore Europe’s largest juniper plantation in a secluded valley or enjoy Torre de Moncorvo’s famed sugar-coated almonds. End the journey at Pocinho, with stunning Douro River views and a scenic train ride to Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its Port wine. Choose your route—shorter for ease or longer for a challenge. Feeling strong on your calves? Take the longer path and uncover more of this extraordinary region. After all, it’s your way!
Itinerary & tour plan
On the first day of your tour, we will welcome you at Porto airport and take you to the easternmost corner of your holiday - Miranda do Douro. On the way, marvel at the Douro River Canyon, with its dramatic cliffs rising over 200 metres. On arrival, visit the town's medieval walls, which tell the story of its rich past. Don't miss the unique local tradition of the "Pauliteiros" dancers, who perform their ancient folk dance on festive summer days, or the region's distinctive cultural heritage, where the Mirandese language is still spoken in this picturesque area.
Begin by strolling through the town, visiting the cathedral, ancient walls, and breathtaking sights of cliffs and gorges. Throughout the day, navigate paths in the Nature Reserve, passing small villages and rural areas. As you walk by homes with fruit tree orchards, you might encounter a docile, untamed Mirandese donkey, a species local authorities are working to preserve. The highlight of the route is the São João das Arribas viewpoint, offering a view of the Douro River winding through cliffs. You might also spot birds like golden eagles, griffons, Egyptian vultures, and black storks. You can join a birdwatching tour with a guide.
Say goodbye to Miranda do Douro and head south, following the trails of the Natural Park. You will reach Picote, a charming village with traditional stone houses and an incredible viewpoint over the Douro River. The trail passes through unspoilt countryside with native plants such as cedar, oak, cork oak, loden and rosemary, as well as meadows for Mirandesa cattle. Your final destination is Sendim, a village known for its agricultural and handicraft traditions and for its hospitality to visitors. Take time to explore the craft shop near the church and learn about the traditional costumes of the region. Your accommodation is in a quaint, traditional guesthouse.
From the village, you will set out on a well-worn dirt track for a round trip through a variety of natural landscapes, including vineyards, olive groves and almond orchards. The locals are often keen to share their customs with tourists. On the way you will pass through one of the largest juniper fields in Europe. Juniper, a medicinal plant of the genus Juniperus, produces round, bluish berries that are used to flavour food and to make gin. Throughout the year you can enjoy attractions such as the almond blossom in February and March, the grape harvest in August or September, the almond harvest in September and the olive harvest in October or November. When you return to Sendim, you can visit the local winery and taste their wines paired with traditional local dishes.
We will pick you up in the morning and take you to Felgar, a village renowned for its classical houses perched on a sunny hill with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. From the heart of the town, head inland and follow a circular path through meadows, olive groves and broom. As you walk, look out over the blue waters of the Sabor River. You will pass Ribeiro de Moinhos, once one of the most important milling centres in the eastern part of Trás-os-Montes, with around 40 hydraulic mills for grinding and flooring textiles. The main activities here are agriculture and shepherding so local gastronomic highlights include sheep and goat cheeses and wine.
Walk along the scenic greenway built on a disused railway line, departing Felgar on local roads and tracks. As you reach the town centre, you'll find beautiful manor houses, a railway museum, and local shops selling products like olive oil, cheese, jams, and wines. Visit the 12th-century Moncorvo Castle, perched on a hill with panoramic views over the valley and the Douro River. In February and March, the almond trees bloom, offering a stunning natural spectacle. Conclude your day with a visit to a local almond factory to see how sugared almonds are made, a traditional treat recognized as one of Portugal's sweet wonders. Return to your accommodation to unwind and enjoy a tasting of homemade liqueurs paired with Moncorvo almonds.
On your last day, leave Torre de Moncorvo and follow the greenway, a former railway line turned dirt road, towards Pocinho. The route offers views of the Douro River, terraced vineyards and the lush delta of the Sabor River. Towards the end, the grand railway bridge and Pocinho dam mark your arrival. From here, take the train to Porto, passing hills covered in the terraced vineyards typical of the Douro wine region. Your journey ends at São Bento station, one of the most beautiful in the world. Your hotel is within walking distance. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Porto is renowned for its unique blend of ancient architecture and modern charm. Explore landmarks such as the Luis I Bridge, the Port Wine Cellars and the Ribeira district. Don't miss Porto's signature dish, Francesinha, a rich sandwich topped with melted cheese and spicy sauce.
At the end of your tour, we will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
What is included?
What you get on this adventure
- Transfers from/to Porto airport
- Accommodation 7 nights BB, in double standard room
- Daily luggage transfer (one piece per person up to 23kg)
- Middle transfers
- City taxes
- Daily post-walk messages
- Access to the Ride With GPS app on your smartphone
What is not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Meals and wine tastings (optional)
- GPS with loaded tracks (optional)
- Train ticket to Fuseta
- Personal expenses and other items not mentioned
Special Dates
Almond blossom, Torre de Moncorvo and Vila Flor, February-March
- From mid-February to early March, the Douro is transformed by the blossoming almond trees, which are celebrated with lively festivals.
- The theme, "The Fair Charter granted to Torre Mem Corvo by King Dinis," recalls the 13th-14th century month-long fair uniting artisans, merchants, and mystics
- Experience the vibrant cultural heritage of Northeast Trás-os-Montes with the Pauliteiros, a unique dance group from Miranda do Douro. Their sword dance blends warrior, religious, and ritual traditions in a captivating display of local history.
Grape Harvest Season, Douro Wine Region, September
- This is your chance to get involved in the grape harvesting, try traditional grape treading and take part in port wine tastings at local wineries!
- Autumn’s arrival marks the joyous olive harvest, a time of celebration and community gathering, where generations of families come together to pick ripe olives. The trees are adorned with vibrant shades of green, purple and black olives, creating a breathtaking sight.
- One of the biggest gastronomic events in the south of the country. Enjoy the flavours of the sea, where fresh catches and local traditions come alive.
- The festival turns the city centre into one of the best music festivals in the country. For three days, the country's best artists make the hot nights even better.
Tour facts
- Marvel at the dramatic Douro River Canyon and local heritage
- Home to over 170 bird species, including many endangered ones, making it a prime birdwatching destination
- Follow scenic trails in the Douro International Natural Park to the village of Sendim
- Hike through vineyards, olive groves, and almond orchards, and visit Europe’s largest juniper field
- Take the scenic train ride to Porto, ending at São Bento station
- Tastings of the region's world-famous wines, including Port, paired with local liqueurs
- Savor traditional dishes made with locally sourced produce and time-honoured recipes
- Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage City and home of the iconic Port wine