Porto & Peneda-Gerês National Park

Your first stop is Ponte de Lima, located in the heart of Portugal's Minho wine region and surrounded by vinho verde vineyards. On arrival you can settle into your 4-star hotel and stroll around the historical town and riverside gardens,  before settling down with a glass of vinho verde wine or two.

After breakfast, a private transfer (approximately 1.5 hours) will take you to the small remote village of Branda da Aveleira, from where you'll start your walk to Peneda. A gradual climb brings you to a pine forest before making your way over Peneda Mountain via an ancient stone path. It is then a steep descent along a dramatic stone stairway into Peneda Valley, bringing you directly to Peneda Sanctuary. 

Ascent/Descent: 232m/566m

The walk to Lindoso takes you down the valley along an ancient pilgrim route, which are still used by the locals from surrounding villages. You'll be rewarded with dramatic mountain scenery and enormous rock faces as you follow the Peneda River to the small village of Tibo. The route continues down the valley to where two rivers merge on the border of Spain. Once you reach the small village of Várzea, it's an easy walk along a paved road to Lindoso, with an enormous dam across the River Lima before reaching the village. Lindoso's medieval castle held great military importance for Portugal due to its position on the border, and the village is renowned for its incredible collection of 54 ancient espigueiros (grain stores). Spend the night in a beautifully restored traditional village cottage.

Ascent/Descent: 372m/596m

Today's circular walk starts on the streets of Lindoso, then through a forest to an unpaved road that leads gently uphill, offering views of the Soajo mountains. The views get even better as the path descends into the village of Cidadelhe. You can either cut the walk short here and take a taxi (payable locally) to your accommodation in Lindoso, or complete the circuit back to Lindoso for the full 21.5km walk.

Ascent/Descent: 737m/739m

As you leave Lindoso behind, walk through pretty countryside and untouched oak forest, passing streams and small waterfalls before reaching the village of Parada, once one of the most important in the area. With its narrow medieval streets, quirky nooks and sturdy granite houses, it's a charming little village to explore. There's a small reservoir of clear water here, along with old watermills that were once essential for grinding corn and wheat. You'll then return to Cidadelhe, from where you'll walk along paths and backroads to another village, crossing the Lima River before finishing with a climb to the village of Soajo. You'll spend two nights here in a wonderfully restored traditional stone house.

Ascent/Descent: 472m/626m

Today's walk starts with a 50 minute scenic drive to Avelar, a small village of shepherds in the heart of the Soajo mountains. From here you'll walk back to Soajo. It's a steep start to the walk, but you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Traditional wolf traps and shepherd shelters can be found in this area, highlighting the remoteness of these mountains. The walk gets easier as it descends into the Mezio Park Gate, which is the start and finish point for the GR50 walking route. As you make your way back to Soajo, the trail takes you through woodland and meadows, with views across the Lima valley to the Amarela mountains opposite. 

Enjoy the last evening in the mountains tonight, before making your way to Porto.

Ascent/Descent: 591m/781m

After breakfast you'll be driven to your 4-star hotel in the city of Porto, which takes approximately 1.45 hours. Set on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Douro River, the city is renowned for its vast port export, which is evident from the terracotta roofed storage warehouses on the banks of the Douro. To end your holiday, we've arranged a wine cellar tour on your arrival so that you can enjoy a port tasting in this beautiful UNESCO-listed city. Explore the maze of narrow cobbled streets in the old quarter before settling into one of the many rooftop bars.

The tour finishes after breakfast but Porto is a fantastic city to spend a couple of days. We recommend adding an extra night here so that you can explore both the historical and edgy sides of the city, as well as its world-class cuisine.