From Porto to the Côa Valley Archaeological Park and Douro International Natural 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 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.

Accommodation in a Country farmhouse

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

From prehistoric lands to a Manueline town in the Douro International Natural Park

Linear walk from Mazouco to Freixo de Espada à Cinta – 16.8 km (10.4 miles)

• Hike a linear trail through the open countryside around Mazouco village and on to Freixo de Espada a Cinta. You’ll have fabulous views of the Douro River, with Spain on the other side, 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.
• Toward 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.

Accommodation: Country farmhouse

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner

Roman road, geological treasures, and local culture and practices

Linear walk from Ribeira do Mosteiro to Freixo da Espada à Cinta – 15.8km (9.8 miles)

• 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 wind 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.

Accommodation: Country farmhouse

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner

 Rota do Jornaleiro

Linear trail from Barca D’Alva to Vilar de Amargo – 15.2km (9.4 miles) 

• 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 laborers (called jornaleiros) who worked for the local farms as and when needed.
• During the day, the landscape changes from vineyards to olive groves and then wheat fields before you reach the magical rocky landscape near the village of Vilar de Amargo, your base for the next 2 nights.

Accommodation:  Village cottage

Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch

Villages, views, cheese, and rock art

Linear trail from Vilar de Amargo to Castelo Melhor – 16.1km (10 miles)

• 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.
• 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.

Accommodation: Village cottage

Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch

From medieval to Paleolithic times

Linear walk from Castelo Melhor to the Côa Museum – 12.5km (7.8 miles)

• Start your final walking day from Castelo Melhor and hike through the 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.
• Celebrate with lunch at the museum restaurant. The menu is extensive and includes traditional Portuguese fare as well as more contemporary dishes.
• 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.

 Accommodation: Boutique guest house

Meals: Breakfast

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, savoring 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 center to your walking holiday package (additional costs apply).

Meals: Breakfast