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Paths of Peneda
Day 1 (1)* • Arrive in Arcos de Valdevez
Arrive in Arcos de Valdevez Arcos, with cobbled streets and or nate churches, is picturesquely set on the banks of the River Vez
HHHH Ribeira Collection Hotel
Day 2 (2) • Arcos de Valdevez to Soajo
Paths through forest, pasture and scrub lead up to the megalithic monuments at Mezio, ‘gateway’ to the Peneda National Park, from where ancient tracks and paths lead down to the delightful village of Soajo Arcos-Soajo (13 8 miles, 6–7 hrs); Portela-Soajo (7 miles, 3 5 hrs)
Casa do Adro
Day 3 • Soajo
Explore Soajo’s quaint alleys, admire espigueiros (granite grain stores) and walk through terraces and valleys around the village (3.4 miles, 2 hrs). Alternatively, transfer by taxi to old Lindoso with its castle and 53 espigueiros, before crossing the Alto (high) Lindoso Dam and following the Lima Valley to an ancient bridge and natural pools below Soajo (7.1 miles, 4 hrs).
Casa do Adro
Day 4 (3) • Soajo to Peneda
Increasingly scenic ancient trails lead up to the village of Adrão, then across a ridge (views!) before descending into the Peneda Valley and following the pilgrimage path to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda (9.8 miles, 5–6 hrs) Alter natively, follow paths through wild valleys above crystal-clear rivers before joining the ancient pilgrim route to Peneda (7.1 miles, 4 hrs).
HHH Hotel Peneda
Day 5 (4) • Peneda to Castro Laboreiro
Follow gentle paths up the wooded Peneda Valley before climbing over the high serra to descend to the frontier settlement of Castro Laboreiro (9 6 miles, 5–6 hrs)
HHH Albergaria Miracastro
Day 6 • Castro Laboreiro
Options to explore the splendid landscapes around Castro Laboreiro: rocky outcrops, moorland and valleys, megalithic monuments, small granite villages, ancient bridges and 13C castle (up to 11 1 miles, 1 5–6 5 hrs)
HHH Albergaria Miracastro
Day 7 • Castro Laboreiro to Melgaço
Old paths link granite villages close to the Spanish border, before an open ridge and well-graded descent with wide views of the Minho Valley and distant Galicia... and Melgaço, with its castle, vineyards and ther mal springs (13 5 miles, 6 hrs – or 9 miles, 4 hrs)
Quinta da Calcada
Day 8 (5)
• Departure day
*Days in brackets refer to 5-day itinerary
Route open: May-July; Sept-Oct
Airport to first hotel: u Porto (60 miles)
Train/bus: 2 hrs - ~€16
Taxi: 1 hr - ~€120
Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks fluent English, Portuguese, French and conversational Spanish.
Route Book: 156 pages – detailed walking directions, maps, comprehensive local and background information
Walking: Moderate to challenging (Grade 2+ – 4) See p 8
Terrain: Ancient granite paths, gravel roads and tracks