Marked by the intense green of its fields and vineyards, the Minho regions' natural landscape is one of enormous beauty and biodiversity. Not yet well known as a 'walkers paradise', it is safe to say the Minho is reasonably 'less trodden' than other regions of Portugal such as the Southern Algarve or the autonomous islands of Madeira.
We have carefully selected our routes to ensure you experience the best the Minho region has to offer. You can expect to walk along the Atlantic coast, through beautiful valleys, explore the mountain and sample the local wineries along your route - one of our walks even takes you from Portugal to Spain... and back!
This 7-night linear walk begins in the Serra D'Arga Mountains on the Spanish border where you enjoy your first two days walking. On your third day you meet the beautiful River Lima which you walk beside before reaching the historic town of Ponte de Lima known as the oldest village in Portugal. This charming village is home to one of the few crossing points of the river over a picturesque medieval bridge. Your remaining days are enjoyed walking along the Green Coast past attractive windmills ending on a high point as you cross the River Minho into Spain for your last ascent.
Transfer to Lindoso where you then descend to cross the Rio Lima via an impressive hydro-electric dam. This involves 2 km of tarmac road, thereafter you walk along ancient tracks and paths. Today’s route takes you through picturesque villages, farmland and forest. You will witness a disappearing way of life. Much of this landscape was farmed in the past – numerous terraces, water channels, barns and grain stores attest to this heritage.
You follow old tracks along the mountainside, westwards from Soajo, and apart from short downhill sections you will be gradually ascending the whole way. Reaching the village of Vila de Soente, you walk up their access road and cross the main road to enter a wooded area, transfer to your hotel.
Leaving Ponte da Barca, you walk alongside the peaceful Rio Lima for most of your day to the historic town of Ponte de Lima. Today’s walk is a complete contrast to the previous two days. Only towards the end do you leave the riverside for a kilometre or so. The going is very easy, being virtually level and traffic-free nearly all the way. Take your swimming things if you like a dip – there are some lovely swimming spots along the river.
Today you have easy walking again, as you continue along the valley of the Rio Lima from Ponte de Lima. You leave Ponte de Lima along the magnificent avenue of plane trees by the river then mainly walk on tracks or rural roads, through fertile agricultural land and woodland. At Passagem, where there used to be a ferry across the river, you turn south towards the hills and into an area of intensive grape growing and wine production. Overnight Viana do Castelo.
After two days in the mountains and then two days along the valley of the Rio Lima, today’s walk is another complete contrast, as you walk along the ‘Green Coast’ northwards from Viana to Vila Praia de Âncora. Apart from one modest hill at Montedor mid-way along the route (and occasional sand-dunes) the walking feels more or less level. Some of the time you have the option to walk along the beach.
Today’s walk is in two distinct sections. The first takes you to the town of Caminha where your last night’s accommodation is located. You can then extend the walk by taking a ferry across the Rio Minho to Galicia in Spain to walk up Monte de Santa Trega (aka Tecla or Tegra), the striking conical hill opposite Caminha, returning later by ferry. Starting along the ‘prom’ in Vila Praia de Âncora, you continue your trek northwards along the coast until you pass the resort town of Santana. Thereafter you leave the bustle behind and walk through shady pine forest to the mouth of the Rio Minho estuary and a sheltered beach. If you would like a swim but don’t fancy the open sea at Santana, this is a good place to stop.
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
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NEARBY:
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NEARBY:
Inlima Hotel & Spa is located in the centre of Ponte de Lima. The hotel has 30 rooms and a spa where you relax after your walks.
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Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Here at Headwater we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can continue to develop, and where necessary improve, our services and ensure our holidays continue to be the best they can be. However, as this is a relatively new holiday, we don't yet have any customer reviews available.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of and hotels
All breakfasts
Comprehensive route directions provided prior to departure
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Solo travellers
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Children
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Holiday type
Self-guided walking
Departures
Meals
All breakfasts
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
