Hikes
The hiking tour we are offering now is a beautiful journey through the mountains of central Portugal. We follow a traditional Xisto route, which is known for the surrounding area's natural beauty.
It is an 8-day hiking trip, including 7 overnight stays (including arrival and departure, the hiking tour itself is 6 days). It is suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. We find it important to have time for relaxation and exploring the possibilities at the rest stops.
The route is +/-80 km. We will pick you up in Porto and drive to central Portugal by bus.
---> DAY 1
We will pick you up with our own minibus in Porto (more information will follow after booking), and then drive to Central Portugal. Our first stop will be at a charming, typical Xisto Portuguese house near the village of Piadao. Here, we will take our time to settle in, enjoy a communal dinner, and get to know each other.
---> DAY 2
The next morning, we will start the hike. The walk begins and ends in Piadao, a village known for its xisto (slate) houses and surrounded by lush green mountains. The route is scenic, forming a loop back to Piadao. The first day presents the challenge of a steep descent, but overall, it's a beautiful start to the week. The river beach along the way is an ideal spot to rest and take in the surroundings. Afterward, we will visit the stunning Fraga da Pena waterfall.
Distance: +/- 10 km
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
---> DAY 3
We start from the village of Dreia and walk towards the serene Alva River, arriving at the village of Baril de Alva. Here, we will stay overnight at a Quinta located right by the river.
Distance: +/- 14 km
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours
---> DAY 4
The next day, we walk from Barril do Alva to another beautiful river beach, where we will have a relaxing workshop (details will be provided in the final itinerary) and enjoy an extended lunch. We will then continue our walk to the village of Avo.
Distance: +/- 12 km
Walking time: 3 to 5 hours
---> DAY 5
Today, we have a longer walk along the Alva River, offering a lot of variety! We will pass through several xisto villages and visit some typical Praia Fluvials (river beaches).
Distance: +/- 16 km
Walking time: 4 to 6 hours
---> DAY 6 / DAY 7
We will now continue the hiking journey in the beautiful Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s largest mountain range. First, we will visit a local resident's garden/off-grid lifestyle in the area. We will drive there with our minibus and then embark on two more days of hiking. This includes a climb-like hike near Lapa dos Dinheiros (Day 6) and the Lavadia Route in Loriga (Day 7).
Day 6 Distance: +/- 8 km
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Day 7 Distance: +/- 11 km
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours
---> DAY 8 On the last day, we will end with a communal breakfast and drive you back to Porto.
For more practical information, see the "Practical Information" section.
For more information on what to do in your free time or evenings, see the "Extra Info" section.
Dates for 2024:
29 September - 6 October
Prices:
The price for the hiking trip, including transportation from Porto Airport and back, (7 days breakfast) ( 5 lunches), (5 dinners) (lunches and dinner at restaurants are not included), and accommodations in comfortable quintas, is 1080 euros per person
( flight ticket not included!).
Practical Information:
Here are a few practical matters to keep in mind:
- We will pick you up with our own van in Porto. We will pick you up at two locations: Porto Airport Francisco Sá Carneiro (if possible, please book your arrival for before 5:00 PM) or Campanhã Train Station in Porto (we will pick you up at 4:00 PM, with exceptions possible, please contact us to arrange this). We will then drive to our first destination, which takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. We will arrive in the evening in time for a group dinner and a good night's sleep.
- During the hike, one of us will always walk together with the group, while the other ensures that your luggage is already at the next destination. So you don't have to carry your luggage during the hike. This saves a lot of hauling! It's a good idea to bring a small backpack for a water bottle and any snacks. We will send you a packing list by email after you book the trip, which will include everything you need to bring.
- The flight ticket is not included, which means you will need to book your own ticket. Of course, you can also decide to leave a few days earlier to explore the beautiful city of Porto.
- We want to be easy to reach, so please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions! Contact us via the contact form, and we'll get back to you quickly.
Extra Info:
In the evenings, there are various options: sitting together by the campfire or relaxing with a good book. Some meals will be provided by the quintas, and we will also provide tips for good restaurants in the area that we can take you to and pick you up from if necessary.
We will eat together regularly. Breakfasts are always provided at the quintas. We will provide lunch a few times in a beautiful outdoor location during the hike, and we will also have lunch a few times at a Portuguese restaurant.
There is plenty of free time, and we are always happy to provide fun suggestions for things to do. If there is an event or market, we offer the option of going there with us, but this is entirely optional.