Douro & Coa Valley Hike

Introduction
Douro Portugal
Starting in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto, you will venture along the Douro River to the Spanish border by train, surrounded by mesmerising scenery including the amazing Douro Valley and its renowned wine region.
About as far as you can get from the madding crowds, you’ll be staying on a working wine estate and olive farm for the first few days while you explore the dramatic countryside, history and local traditions of the Douro International Natural Park.

In the Côa Valley area, you’ll be staying in a shepherding village and get to visit a local cheese producer. A highlight of the experience is a night visit to the Palaeolithic rock art site on the banks of the Côa River.
You’ll have the opportunity to see remarkable medieval architecture in the small town of Freixo de Espada à Cinta and pass through smaller villages as you make your way along trails that are over a thousand years old.

There are plenty of opportunities to notice how the main crops of grapes, almonds and olives are cultivated in this remote part of Portugal. If you’re lucky enough to do this walking tour in late February or early March, you will see the countryside transformed by the pink and white puffs of almond trees in blossom. You may even catch a festival dedicated to the almond blossoms in Vila Nova de Foz Côa towards the end of your adventure. Wait a little later in the year and you’ll be surrounded by colourful spring flowers.

Accomodation

Accommodations
The accommodation for this programme is in a combination of small, unique hotels and family-run rural lodgings, which give clients an insight into local history and culture. The staff/owners are very welcoming and happy to chat with guests about the area. 
 
Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Porto
Night 2-4: Farmhouse in Douro Natural Park
Night 5 & 6: Guesthouse in Vilar de Amargo
Night 7: Guesthouse in Torre de Moncorvo

Room Occupancy
Solo travelers will need to pay a single supplement fee.


Meals
Most meals are included in your package. Lunches on Day 2 and 7 are not included, as well as dinners on Day 1, 5, 6 and 7. 

The lunch packs contain fresh local produce and we encourage guests to have dinner at hospitable local restaurants where they can enjoy traditional regional dishes, engage with the owners, chef or servers and, of course, sample Douro wines and port.

Special diets and dietary restrictions:
We can cater to dietary requirements with advanced notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - Subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
A private driver will meet you at Porto International Airport and take you to your hotel in Porto.
When you check into your Porto hotel, you will receive your Welcome Kit, which contains all the information you need to fully enjoy this self-guided walking holiday including your train tickets to the Côa Valley Archaeological Park.
Depending on your arrival time, you should have some time to explore this wonderful city, full of history, charm and experiences. (We can add a guided tour of Porto to your programme if you like - extra fee applies)
Explore the architectural highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage city centre or pop across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia to visit one of the port wine cellars.
Meals included: none
Overnight at Hotel in Porto

Day 2: From Porto to the Côa Valley Archaeological Park
Take the train from Porto along the Douro River, all the way to the end of the line at Pocinho. At times, the train passes so close to the Douro River, you could almost reach out and touch it.
About a third of the way into the journey, you will pass through the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Landscape of the Alto Douro wine region. After that, the countryside becomes wilder and more rugged.
Spend the night in a beautifully converted stone farmhouse in the Douro International Natural Park where, as well as grapes, they grow olives and almonds. Your host will prepare delicious meals from local produce during your stay.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Farmhouse in Douro International Natural Park

Day 3: Mazouco to Freixo de Espada à Cinta
Hike a linear trail through open countryside around Mazouco village and on to Freixo de Espada à Cinta. You’ll have fabulous views of the Douro River, with Spain on the other side of it, and the steep cliffs of the Douro International Natural Park known as the “grand canyon” of the Iberian Peninsular. This wild, rocky landscape is a sanctuary for endangered bird species such as the Egyptian vulture and the griffon vulture.
There is evidence of prehistoric human activity in this area in the form of a 10,000-year-old rock engraving of a horse, located near the river. You will get up close and personal with similar rock art later in the week.
Towards the end of the walk, you will enter the medieval village of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, where you can marvel at the surprising amount of Manueline (Portuguese Gothic) architecture, especially around the entrance to the parish church. Return to your farmhouse accommodation via Margarida’s vineyards and olive groves.
Hiking about 16.8 km (elevation: + 268 m / - 458 m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Farmhouse in Douro International Natural Park

Day 4: Ribeira do Mosteiro to Freixo da Espada à Cinta
A scenic drive takes you through a dramatic landscape of impressive rock formations that were created over 500 million years ago. You’ll get even closer to these wonders of geology as you follow what’s left of the Calçada de Alpajares Roman road.
This ancient path zig zags up the dramatic cliffs that are home to endangered birds of prey including Egyptian and griffon vultures.
Then wend your way through the countryside and the village of Poiares, noticing the typical crops of the region and learning about some traditional agricultural practices.
Return to the farmhouse for one more night.
Hiking about 15.8 km (elevation: + 611 m / - 239 m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Farmhouse in Douro International Natural Park

Day 5: Barca D’Alva to Vilar de Amargo
Stop on the drive to Barca D’Alva to witness the incredible views of the International Douro and Arribes del Duero Natural Parks with the peneplains of Castelo e Leon and the impressive Saucelle dam.
From Barca D’Alva, you will explore the landscape to the south of the Douro River on foot, following a route that was frequently used by day labourers (called jornaleiros) who worked for the local farms when needed.
During the day, the landscape changes from vineyards to olive groves then wheat fields before you reach the magical rocky landscape nearer the village of Vilar de Amargo, your base for the next 2 nights.
Hiking about 15.2 km (elevation: + 635 m / - 153 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Cottage in Vilar de Amargo

Day 6: Vilar de Amargo to Castelo Melhor
Leave the village to walk through the rocky plains where the local sheep graze – you may see local shepherds taking their flocks there at the start and end of the day.
Walk through the village of Algodres, which dates back to pre-Roman times, and on to Almendra. This village originated with an Iron Age settlement in the 1st century BC and was clearly an important place in the 15th and 16th centuries and up to the mid-19th century, as you can tell from the impressive buildings and monuments throughout.
After Almendra, continue walking through the highlands and you’ll see the village of Castelo Melhor nestled in the hillside ahead, surrounded by olive orchards and some vineyards. After your walk, go back to your country cottage to freshen up before the rest of the day’s activities.
Visit a local cheese producer and taste regional produce before going on a journey through time to the Upper Paleolithic era, approximately 25 thousand years ago, to see prehistoric rock art in situ on the banks of the Côa River.
Hiking about 16.1 km (elevation: + 147 m / - 386 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Cottage in Vilar de Amargo

Day 7: Castelo Melhor to the Côa Museum
Start your final walking day from Castelo Melhor and hike through largely uncultivated countryside, noticing the transition from granite stones to the schist that was the ‘canvas’ for the Paleolithic rock art all those years ago.
Admire the fabulous views back across the landscape and ahead to the Côa Valley. You’ll descend to the confluence of the Côa and Douro Rivers through beautiful vineyards then hike up the opposite hill to the Côa Museum.
Give yourself time to visit the museum and see more engravings while learning about the people who made them.
End the day in the medieval town of Torre do Moncorvo, your base for the night.
Hiking about 12.5 km (elevation: + 381 m / - 423 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Guesthouse in Torre do Moncorvo

Day 8: Return to Porto
After your immersion in the lands of the Douro International and Côa Valley Parks it’s time to return to Porto.
A short transfer takes you back to Pocinho train station from where you will take the scenic train in the opposite direction, savouring the views that are now more familiar to you.
When you arrive in Porto, you can make your way to your next destination or ask us to add an extra night or two in the city centre to your walking holiday package (additional costs apply).
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Douro & Coa Valley Hike

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Porto
Airport: Porto Airport
Transfer: Porto Airport

Climate:
                                                    Alijó area