Begin your journey in the charming riverside village of Ponte de Lima, located in Northern Portugal’s Minho area. Explore its renowned gardens, medieval center, and Roman bridge before dining on traditional Minho cuisine accompanied by a glass or two of locally produced vinho verde wine at one of Ponte de Lima’s great restaurants.
After being fully briefed and rested, your first day of walking will take you through the spectacular boulder-strewn slopes and valleys surrounding Castro Laboreiro, your home for the next two nights.
The next trail leads from the hamlet to Peneda Sanctuary, which has breathtaking views in every direction and lush woodlands. You may come across long-horned Cachena cows and Garrano horses as they graze on the neighboring mountains.
The next day, you’ll travel south via villages, streams, and a beautiful valley to view Lindoso castle and its collection of communal stone granaries and threshing field. Rest and relax in your cozy village cottage accomodation, followed by a great traditional lunch at a nearby restaurant.
The following day, using Lindoso as a base, you will explore the splendor of the Serra Amarela mountains on a village-to-village trek. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see local lifestyles, both past and present, in Lindoso and the villages you’ll pass through along the way.
As you travel back to Soajo from the settlement of Avelar, you will pass through some of the wildest and most stunning landscapes on this journey, as well as oddities such as a wolf trap. Bathe in immaculate natural ponds located in lovely woodland before going through more forest and medieval towns reaching the village of Soajo.
Finish the day in the fascinating, magnificent, and old city of Viana do Castelo on the Lima River’s mouth. Viana is rich in culture and history, and is well-known for its filigree Viana heart jewelry and embroidery, among other things.
You have the option of spending your final full day of vacation discovering the beauties of Viana do Castelo or taking an earlier train or bus to the metropolis of Porto for your final night. You could visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, port wine cellars, and wonderful restaurants while you’re there.
Before continuing your travel, spend the night in a pleasant city center hotel.