Walking and Cycling Tours in Serra de Arga, Peneda GerĂŞs National Park and in the North of Portugal
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North of Portugal
Map of North Portugal In this map you can see different numbers, each number represents an activity and the activity area.
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Choosing your tour To help you to choose a perfect holiday or an activity that best suits your level of fitness all our activities and holidays are graded. On the website and brochure you'll see that we've marked each tour with easy, moderate or hard difficulty, so that you know what level of activities to expect. 
Difficulty: Easy - Experience is not necessary anyone fit and healthy can do this tour. The tours are normally four hours; we do some stops along the route to enjoy the nature and to a picnic lunch.
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Difficulty: Moderate - No experience is necessary but good health and reasonable fitness are necessary. The walking and cycling tours are normally from five to seven hours with some ascents and ascending and with some stops to enjoy the scenery.
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Walking Tours: 1 - Nature from Minho to Galicia On this tour you enjoy amazing views of Minho and Galicia Regions. Along the trail you will walk through old pathways, granite and schist villages and enjoy the best of nature. On this tour you can see the wild horses and the wolf tracks! Dates: All year Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 6 hours Difficulty: moderate, 16 kms Meeting Point: Arga de Baixo (Caminha) Price: 35,00€ per person* Included: picnic lunch with local food and drinks, walking poles, insurance, local guide and binoculars. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old!
2 - The Holy Mountain This “religious” tour will provide the opportunity to visit some of these secular buildings and wonderful places. The most famous place is the Monastery of S. João D’Agra, which dates back to the 13th century. Dates: All year Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 6 horas Difficulty: moderate, 12 kms Meeting Point: Montaria (Viana do Castelo) Price: 35,00€ per person* Included: picnic lunch with local food and drinks, walking poles, insurance, local guide and binoculars. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old!
3 - The Montaria Watermills The village of Montaria is the village with the largest number of watermills in Portugal. There are a total of 42 watermills, a number which depicts the importance and use these mills had for the local inhabitants. Visitors will be able to admire some of these ancient watermills (some of which still work) along the same trails that were used by the villagers to reach their mills. Dates: All year Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 4 hours Difficulty: easy 5 kms Meeting Point: Montaria (Viana do Castelo) Price: 30,00€ per person* Included: picnic lunch with local food and drinks, insurance, local guide and binoculars. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old!
4 - Be a shepherd for a morning in Serra D´Arga A very different life awaits you in Serra D´Arga, fresh air, never-ending landscapes and a day of freedom. You will experience the authentic shepherd tradition. Dates: All year Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 4 hours Difficulty: moderate, 8 kms Meeting Point: Montaria (Viana do Castelo) Price: 30,00€ per person* Included: picnic lunch with local food and drinks, walking poles, insurance, local guide and binoculars. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old.
5 - The 7 Lagoons of Serra D´Arga Come with us and bring your family or friends to discover the 7 natural lagoons in Serra D´Arga Mountain. On this walking tour you enjoy the silence, clear water, wonderful waterfalls and lagoons, where you can stop to swim. Dates: All year Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 4 hours Difficulty: Easy, 5 kms Meeting Point: Montaria (Viana do Castelo) Price: 30,00€ per person* Included: picnic lunch with local food and drinks, walking poles, insurance, local guide and binoculars. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old!
6 - Hike and Yoga in the Lagoons Hike in Serra D´Arga and practice yoga in the middle of the nature. Yoga and hiking share the same health benefits. Hiking, like yoga, is user friendly and can be enjoyed by adults and children. This way you stay fit and trained and will return completely relaxed. Dates: All year Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 4 hours Difficulty: Easy, 5 kms Meeting Point: Montaria (Viana do Castelo) Price: 30,00€ per person* Inluded: picnic lunch with light food, fruit, drinks and local tea, insurance, local guide and Yoga teacher. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old!
7 – Walking with Aventurinhas Donkey Book a walking tour in Serra D´Arga and add Aventurinhas Donkey to the trail. Aventurinhas can carry your luggage and your kids along a walking tour through the beautiful scenery of Serra D´Arga mountain, totally safe for children. You can choose from Descubra Minho walking tours present in the website and enjoy a new adventure with your family! Dates: All year Minimum participants: 1 person Duration: 30 min. Difficulty: Easy Meeting Point: Montaria (Viana do Castelo) Price: 10,00€ (parents don´t pay) Included: 30 min. donkey tour, insurance, helmet and guide.
For a donkey trekking or a family holiday, please contact us!
8 - The wolf trails in full moon days On this program you follow the wolf trail in Serra D´Arga Mountain. The walking tour starts with a wonderful sunset and finishes with the full moon and the stars in the sky. During the trail you will visit old shelters, perhaps spot wolf tracks, and encounter wild garrano horses. Dates: From April to November Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 4 hours Difficulty: 5kms - Easy Meeting Point: Montaria (Viana do Castelo) Price: 20,00€ per person Included: small picnic lunch with juice and a traditional liquor, walking poles, insurance and local guide.
9 - Portuguese Cornbread Experince On this activity you will visit a farm in Serra D´Arga Mountain and participate in the production of homemade cornbread to learn from a local baker all the process from the corn to the cornbread. You will walk along “levadas” - water channels and you will visit a watermill that still works. At the end of the experience you will taste the hot cornbread with honey and with local products. Dates: All year Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 4 hours Difficulty: Easy Meeting Point: Montaria (Viana do Castelo) Price: 30,00€ per person* Price includes: Cornbread experience, insurance, local guide, visit to a watermill and a picnic lunch with hot cornbread and local products. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old. Note: For just 20,00€ add a donkey to this program to do the walk from farm to watermills and return!
Private Tours: Descubra Minho offers private tours with pick up at accommodation in Northern Portugal, train station or Porto and Vigo Airports. The tours are full-day tours and combine walking and cycling tours to explore the region.
10 - Pincho Waterfall and Serra D´Arga Nature Paradise During your next visit to Porto and North Portugal, spend a day with us in nature and discover Pincho waterfall and Serra D´Arga Nature Paradise, just one hour from the city of Porto. This unique trip takes you through Arga Mountain highlights. Dates: All year Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 9 hours Difficulty: Easy Meeting Point: pick up at Porto Price from Porto: 80,00€ per person Price includes: Local guide, picnic lunch with local food and drinks, walking poles, insurance, binoculars, walking tour in the 7 lagoons and transportation.
11 - Family Tour: The mills and the cornbread tradition Enjoy a different family tour in Portugal, explore nature and learn more about our local traditions. In one day you will discover two different types of mills in the Northern Portugal, you will see wonderful landscapes and you will contact with local people Dates: All year round Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 9 hours Difficulty: Easy Meeting Point: pick up at Porto Price from Porto: 80,00€ per person Price includes: Local guide, picnic lunch with hot cornbread, local food and drinks, transportation, insurance, binoculars, walking tour with a donkey along Montaria Watermills, entrance in a water and a wind mill and cornbread experience.
Cycling / Bike Tours:
12 - Wine Bike Tour: Discover Vinho Verde Route and Lima Valley Cycle through Lima Valley and Vinho Verde Route, enjoy the silence and discover two wonderful wine-estates, one was winner of Best of Wine Tourism in 2011 for the sustainable practices in the production of organic wine. After the wine bike tour you will enjoy a boat trip along Lima River. Dates: April to November Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 6 hours Difficulty: 20 kms - Moderate Meeting Point: Viana do Castelo Price: 85,00€ per person Price includes: Local guide, picnic lunch with local food and drinks, visit to two wine – estates, two wine tastings, insurance, binoculars, bike, helmet, boat tour in Lima River, snack and water.
13 - Wine Bike Tour: Discover Alvarinho Wine Route in Monção Descubra Minho offers you a Wine Bike Tour in Alvarinho Wine Route. Coming to Portugal, there is nothing more exotic and exciting than getting lost in the wine country. Cycle through Minho Valley and charming wine estates, visit Brejoeira Palace and Monção Fortress. Dates: All year Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 6 hours Difficulty: 20 kms - Moderate Meeting Point: to combine! Price: 80,00€ per person Price includes: Local guide, picnic lunch with local food and drinks, visit to two wine – estates, one is Brejoeira Palace, three Alvarinho wine tastings, insurance, binoculars, bike, helmet, snack and water.
14 - Discover the Treasures of Caminha on two wheels On this bike tour you will discover the history and the nature of Caminha town. In one day you will cycle along different landscapes: the Atlantic Coast, Ancora Valley, Barrosa Megalithic Monument and natural lagoons where we can stop to swim. Dates: March to November Minimum participants: 2 persons Duration: 6 hours Difficulty: 25kms - Moderate Meeting Point: Viana do Castelo Price: 60,00 € per person Price includes: Local guide, picnic lunch with local food and drinks, insurance, binoculars, bike, helmet, snack and water.
15 - Discover Gerês National Park, the Roman Road and Albergaria Forest Discover Peneda Gerês National Park, classified by UNESCO as a Biosphere reserve. On this tour you will walk in the hearth of the National Park in Albergaria Forest one of the most important natural reserves of the National Park. During the way you will explore the wild rivers with natural lagoons and the Roman Road, discovering the ancient mile markers (mile stones) that once stretched 320km between Braga and Astorga. Dates: All year Duration: 6 hours Meeting point: Portela do Homem (Gerês) Difficulty: moderate, 8kms Minimum participants: 2 persons Price: 60,00€ per person* Included: picnic with local food and drinks, walking poles, binoculars, insurance and local guide. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old.
16 – From Lindoso to Soajo – Peneda Geres National Park Discover the only Portuguese National Park Peneda-Gerês. In this beautiful and remote region, you will follow ancient trails used for centuries by local shepherds between Lindoso and Soajo. On this tour visit the stone shelters, discover the large number of granaries in the world and visit Lindoso Castle in the Portuguese border. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery! Dates: all year! Duration: 6 hours Meeting point: Lindoso Difficulty: moderate,11 kms Minimum participants: 2 persons Price: 60,00€ per person* Included: picnic with local food** and drinks, binoculars, insurance, walking poles, guide and transfer from Soajo to Lindoso in the end of this walk. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old.
17 – The windmills of Viana do Castelo and the lighthouse This is a walk along the Viana do Castelo coastline visitng the windmills. On this tour you will visit the inside of a windmill that still works. Along the way visit a historical fort that used to protect this area and visit the Bronze Age rock art still preserved in the cliffs at Coast. Dates: All year! Duration: 6 hours Meeting Point: Carreço Difficulty: moderate,16 kms Minimum participants: 2 persons Price: 40,00€ per person* Included: picnic with local food** and drinks, binoculars, walking poles, insurance, entrance in a windmill and local guide. * Note: 50% discount for participants less than 15 years-old.
18 – Castrejo Trail – Castro de Laboreiro On this day you will walk in Castro Laboreiro, a mountain village located in the heart of Peneda Gerês National Park. Following the shepherds trails you will visit Brandas and Inverneiras, a seasonal settlements used by local shepherds during summer and winter time. You will finish your visit with a panorama of 360º over Castro Laboreiro. Duration: 6 hours Difficulty: moderate, 17 kms Meeting Point: Castro Laboreiro Price: 60,00€ per person* Included: picnic lunch with local food, water, snack and drinks, insurance, guide, walking poles and binoculars.
19 – Sistelo Brandas Trail Starting in the mountain village of Sistelo you will follow the footsteps of shepherds through the terraced lands of Sistelo to reach the Brandas in the top of the mountain. Along this trail you will visit the ancient shepherd shelters near Peneda Mountain and you will enjoy the breathtaking scenery! Duration: 6 hours Difficulty: moderate, 10 kms Meeting Point: Sistelo (Arcos de Valdevez) Price: 60,00€ per person* Included: picnic lunch with local food and drinks, insurance, local guide, walking poles and binoculars.
Self-Guided Donkey trekking in Peneda Gerês National Park – Northern Portugal Discover the only National Park in Portugal. Enjoy the simple rustic pleasures of a donkey trekking through the mountain, shepherd’s trails, lush forests of oak, terraced fields and rural villages. In the Peneda Gerês National Park the local shepherds still maintain the practice of moving livestock during winter and summer time and during this holiday you will learn more about this tradition. Our donkey will be your friendly travel companion; he will carry your snacks, waters or the kid during our trek. This will be a slow holiday in the Peneda Gerês National Park! Highlights:
Terraced fields and granaries – “espigueiros” Lindoso Castle 12th century The granite hills of the Peneda Gerês National Park Ancient paths and the rural villages Aventurinhas Donkey The breathaking scenery Tasty Portuguese fresh food
Itinerary: Day 0 – Welcome at Porto airport. Private transfer from Porto airport to Peneda Gerês National Park. Meet our donkey and briefing about the holiday. Dinner and Overnight at Parada (Peneda Gerês National Park).
Day 1 – From Parada to Lindoso – 8 kms On this day you will walk through Serra Amarela (Yellow Mountain), one of the main Mountains in the Peneda Gerês National Park. From the top of the mountain you will enjoy the stunning views over Portugal and Spain. You finishes your day at the well-preserved Lindoso Castle. Lindoso’s castle is a defence monument, which has played an important role during periods of military conflicts between Portugal and Spain. There is an threshing-ground composed of 50 granaries of the 17th and 18th centuries. Overnight at Lindoso (Peneda Gerês National Park).
Day 2 – From Lindoso to Soajo – 12 kms Starting near Lindoso Castle you will across Alto Lindoso dam and Lima River. You will follow the ancient shepherd´s paths to Soajo, you will learn about transhumance system and about “brandas and inverneiras” a seasonal movement of shepherds and animals between summer and winter time. Overnight at Soajo (Peneda Gerês National Park).
Day 3: Circular walk in Soajo – 5 kms This is a great walk through the terraced fields and the watermills of Soajo, a typical village in the Peneda Gerês National Park. You will learn about the traditions that still alive in Soajo, where rural communities continues a lifestyle that is centuries old. At the end of this easy walk you can visit a hidden natural pool, here you can swim and relax. Overnight at Soajo (Peneda Gerês National Park).
Day 4 - Soajo to Paredes do Valo – 13 kms On this day you will climb Soajo Mountain, you will enjoy the great views over Lima valley and Soajo village. At Cabana Maior you will learn about the ancient history of human habitation, as evidenced by megalithic stone tombs dating to the third century. Overnight at Paredes do Valo (Peneda Gerês National Park).
Day 5 - Circular walk between Cabana Maior, Mezio and Paredes do Valo - 12kms This is a circular walk through an oak forest and you will explore old pathways. During this day we will try to see the wild horses in the mountain. Overnight at Paredes do Valo (Peneda Gerês National Park).
Day 6 – Goodbye Peneda Gerês National Park! After breakfast private transfer to Porto. Minimum age: 4 years-old Duration: 7 days / 6 nights Grade: Moderate Terrain: Paths, some rocky/steep, and granite paved tracks. Highest point on route: 830 m. From: 600,00€ per person Included:
Private transfer from Porto airport to Peneda Geres National Park (Day 0);
Private transfer from Peneda Geres National Park to Porto airport or Porto city (last day);
Luggage transfers between accommodation;
GPS advice;
Roadbook with information about the National Park;
Walking poles;
Binoculars;
Map of Peneda Gerês National Park
5 days donkey rent & trekking equipment
6 nights in rural guesthouses with breakfast. The guesthouses are like an rural apartment and includes: private bath, WC, living room and fully equipped kitchenette
Excludes:
Personal expenses
Flights to and from Portugal.
Available on request: guided donkey trekking.in the Peneda Gerês National Park. What to bring: Your enjoyment of the tour will also depend on whether you choose the right clothes to take along. We would recommend that you bring comfortable clothes to walk in the mountain and walking shoes or sneakers. A hat, sun glasses and sunscreen will protect you from getting too much sun. A towel and swimsuit to swim in the natural pools/lagoons.
Optional Services:
Before to book a tour, please let me know if you have food restrictions (eg. i´m vegan, I can´t eat gluten). When we have this information we can offer a vegan picnic or an alternative picnic according to your expectations!
Private transfers from Viana do Castelo to Serra D´Arga and return: price on request!
Private transfer from Porto Airport (OPO) to Peneda Gerês National Park: price on request!
Private transfer from Viana do Castelo to Peneda – Gerês National Park: price on request!
Info / Reservations: www.descubraminho.pt info@descubraminho.pt +351969220704 (WhatsApp)
License N.792/2015