Douro Valley & Vineyards Walking Holiday

Day 2 - Travel to Douro Valley

Today you travel to the heart of the Douro Valley and you can choose between taking the train (approx. 2.5 hours) or spending most of the day on a river cruise all the way from Porto.

If travelling by train, a private taxi pick you up at your hotel and take you to the station. Enjoy the river views all the way to the small riverside village of Pinhão, where the train station is decorated with painted tile panels depicting Douro wine production. Once there, you can take a boat upstream (optional, paid locally) for a different perspective of the valley.

Should you decide to travel by boat, as well as the views, you’ll have the experience of going through two locks that are a feat of engineering which has transformed the Douro River and enabled boats to travel safely between Porto and the wine region.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel, Pinhão
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Pinhão to Vilarinho de São Romão

Route Statistics – 9.5km, 4 – 6 hours walking, 585m ascent / 140m descent

Today you’ll explore the western slopes of the Pinhão Valley. As you climb to the hillside villages of São Cristovão do Douro and Provosende, you’ll be rewarded with tranquil views of the area’s surrounding vineyards. At the end of your journey today you’ll find a warm welcome and home-cooked meal at an historic country house. 

Accommodation: Casa Rural, Vilarinho de São Romão
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner

Day 4 - Circular walk via Pinhão River

Route Statistics – 13 km, 4 – 6 hours walking, 515m ascent / 520m descent

With Vilarinho de São Romão as your base, today’s circular route is full of varied landscapes and splendid views. The route winds down to the Pinhão River through small villages, wine estates and vineyard hillsides. 

Relax at a riverside picnic spot before making your way uphill to Celeirós, a small village that’s known for its table wine and is home to some of the older estates of the Douro valley. It’s well worth a stop at the family-run boutique winery Quinta do Portal before returning to the comfort of your accommodation. 

Accommodation: Casa Rural, Vilarinho de São Romão
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner 

Day 5 - Vilarinho de São Romão to Alijó

Route Statistics – 16 km, 5 – 7 hours walking, 625m ascent / 570m descent

Enjoy views across the valley on your way towards the sun-kissed village of Sabrosa. You’ll follow an ancient road to Favaios as you wind your way through vineyard terraces to the river. On the ascent the landscape yields to grapevines and olive groves, offering a fresh, charming landscape.

In Favaios, taste traditional wood-oven baked bread and moscatel wine at the Bread and Wine Museum before continuing to Alijó, a town that proudly displays its prehistoric past. This is your base for the next two nights, and it has much to offer, including ruins from Roman settlement and a lush climate that supports an exciting range of flora and fauna. Explore the town or relax by the pool before having dinner onsite or in a nearby restaurant.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel, Alijó
Meals: Breakfast & packed lunch 

Day 6 - Circular walk via São Mamede de Ribatua

Route Statistics – 15 km, 5 – 7 hours walking, 369m ascent / descent

Today you’ll travel a circular route from Alijó that undulates through a vibrant patchwork of vineyards and fields towards the ancient village of São Mamede de Ribatua. At the top you’ll find spectacular views of the surrounding rock-strewn mountains and the glittering lake below. Return to Alijó via a different path, or take a taxi back for a more relaxing afternoon in the village.  

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Alijó
Meals: Breakfast & packed lunch 

Day 7 - Alijó to Casal de Loivos

Route Statistics – 14 km, 4 – 6 hours walking, 220m ascent / 400m descent

Today is spent walking through the Douro valley’s heritage-protected vineyards, a route that offers lots of opportunity to call in at wine estates for tours and tasting sessions. As you reach the ridge at the top of the eastern slopes of the Pinhão Valley, you’ll be able to look back at the terraced hills and villages you explored earlier in the week. The path to tonight’s base – a 17th-century country house – enjoys magnificent views of the Douro river.

Accommodation: Casal de Loivos (with pool)
Meals: Breakfast and packed Lunch 

Day 8 - Casal de Loivos to Pinhão

Route Statistics – 6 km, 2 – 3 hours walking, 59m ascent / 391m descent

Today’s short, glorious walk down to Pinhão leaves ample time for a final winery tour and tasting session. Consider having lunch in the village or a picnic in the vineyards, before taking the train or river cruise back to Porto (not included) for a night in a stylish modern hotel in the heart of the city.

In Porto, you can explore the city’s historical monuments and revitalised areas, such as Rua das Flores and the riverside Ribeira district. If you have time, cross the river and visit Vila Nova de Gaia, to experience the sights and smells of the port cellars there. 

Alternatively, if necessary due to flight schedules, you can shorten this trip by one night by removing the final night in Porto (£90 reduction per person). You can then either make your own way to the airport, by train and taxi, or pre-book a private taxi transfer direct to Porto Airport from Pinhão (£245 per taxi (2-3 people), £330 per taxi (4-7 people). Equally of course, you can also add extra nights if you want more time to explore this vibrant city.

Accommodation: 4* Hotel, Porto
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Departure

Independent onward travel, or we can organise extra nights in Porto to extend your stay.

Meals: Breakfast