Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
Moderate
Baggage Transfers
This is a 7 night, self-guided route through this astonishingly beautiful World Heritage landscape dotted with picturesque traditional villages. Make your way from Porto into the very heart of the Duoro Region before exploring the picturesque slopes and valleys of this World Heritage landscape. Follow unpaved roads and footpaths as you walk from village to village, pausing for picnic lunches and visits to local wine estates where you can sample not only award-winning table wines but also port and moscatel wines.
The adventure begins with a scenic train journey through the Douro Valley from Porto to Pinhão, with views of the once treacherous river that was once the main route for transporting goods, especially barrels of wine from the vineyards to the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Museums such as the Bread and Wine Museum in Favaios will give you a greater appreciation of local traditions and wine-production. You’ll also witness some of the year-round activities involved in tending the vines and terraces. Relax after each day’s walk in Douro Valley at carefully selected country houses and hotels where you will receive a warm welcome, comfortable accommodation and delicious meals.
End your self-guided walking holidays in Douro Valley back in the fascinating historical city of Porto where you can visit the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia as well as the exploring Porto’s many sights and views.
On a Collett’s village to village holiday, we do all the hard work, so you don’t have to. Comprehensive route notes and maps keep you nicely on the move. Your baggage is transported to the next carefully-selected overnight stop, where well-earned refreshment, replenishment and relaxation await you in charming surroundings. A good night’s sleep and a generous breakfast set you up for another fabulous day. Booking is easy: simply choose your dates, contact us and we will confirm your holiday asap. Then look forward to it, in the knowledge that every detail is taken care of.
7 Nights
Moderate
4 to 8 hours per day
Based on 3kmph – excludes time taken for rests or lunch.
50m to 626m each day
7 Nights B&B
in handpicked 3* & 4* hotels or country houses
Dinner in Vilarinho
on Days 2 & 3
Packed Lunches
on Days 2 – 6
Baggage Transfers
from hotel to hotel (Days 2 – 6 ) & to the train station on Day 7)
Private Transfers between :
– Porto airport & Campanhã train station on arrival;
– Your hotel in Porto & the airport on your departure (Day 8)
Welcome Briefing
on arrival
Detailed Route & Pre-departure Info Pack
including maps, route descriptions, GPX tracks etc.
24/7 Telephone Support
provided by our local partner, based in Portugal
Flights & Insurance
Porto Airport is the best/nearest airport to fly into
Private Transfer direct to Alijó on arrival
(available at a supplement)
Dinner (on Days 1,4,5,6 & 7)
options available locally to suit all budgets
Vineyard tours and tastings
Museum entrance fees
such as to the Bread & Wine Museum in Favaios
Drinks, snacks & all other extras
Getting to Pinhão from Porto Airport by train is easy and inexpensive. Alternatively we can organise a private transfer directly to your first hotel (at a supplement). See ‘Other Info’ tab above for more details.
In uncertain times, booking with financial peace of mind is essential – as members of ABTA, our walkers have been doing this for over 23 years. In addition, our booking conditions are now more flexible than ever:
Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
On arrival at Porto airport, a private transfer (included) will take you to the station for a welcome briefing before catching a train to Pinhão (approx 2½hrs, €11 each way not included). On arrival into Pinhão, you will be met and enjoy a brief welcome meeting. It is then a pleasant walk or short taxi ride to your first nights accommodation which is a working winery with attractive guest rooms, stunning views of the Douro River and an outdoor pool. If time permits you can stroll around the vineyards, sample their wines, take a boat trip along the river (paid locally) or simply relax before your adventure starts the next day. Enjoy tasty local dishes this evening in their onsite restaurant or head into the village for other options.
Alternatively, a private transfer from Porto Airport direct to your first hotel can be organised (at a supplement).
Overnight – 3* Hotel, Pinhão
9.5km, 4 – 6 hours walking, 577m ascent
Explore the western slopes of the Pinhão Valley today as you climb to the hillside villages of São Cristovão do Douro and Provosende. The views of surrounding vineyards more than compensate your efforts. End this journey with a warm welcome and home-cooked meal at a historical country house. If weather permits, take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool or simply relax in the comfortable guest lounge.
Meals – Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner
Overnight – a country ‘casa’, Vilarinho de São Romão
13 km, 4 – 6 hours walking, 507m ascent
With Vilarinho de São Romão as your base, today’s circular route winds down to the Pinhão River via a couple of small villages and wine estates and along the opposite hillsides, through the vineyards, with varied landscapes and splendid views throughout.
Relax at a riverside picnic spot before making your way uphill to the village of Celeirós where you can stop to taste the wines at Quinta do Portal before returning to your delightful accommodation. Take a taxi up the hill if you’d prefer an easier day.
Meals – Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner
Overnight – a country ‘casa’, Vilarinho de São Romão
16 km, 5 – 7 hours walking, 626m ascent
Enjoy views across the valley on your way towards the pretty village of Sabrosa. Follow an ancient road between here and Favaios as you head down through the vineyard terraces to the river. Wend your way uphill again between grape vines and olive groves towards a distinctly different landscape.
Taste traditional wood oven-baked bread and moscatel wine in Favaios then continue to the small, historical town of Alijó. Settle into your comfortable accommodation for the next two nights. Explore the town or relax by the pool before having dinner at the onsite restaurant or in a nearby restaurant.
Meals – Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight – 4* hotel, Alijó
15 km, 5 – 7 hours walking, 358m ascent
Today’s walk is a circular route from Alijó that undulates through an ever-changing patchwork of vineyards and fields towards the ancient village of São Mamede da Ribatua with spectacular views of the surrounding rock-strewn mountains and the glittering lake below. Leave the village via a different route to return to Alijó or take a taxi back for a more relaxing afternoon. A third option involves a walk down to the lake before calling the taxi.
Meals – Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight – 4* hotel, Alijó
14 km, 4 – 6 hours walking, 214m ascent
Spend the day walking in Douro Valley through vineyards, perhaps calling in at a wine estate or two for a tour and tasting session before reaching the ridge at the top of the eastern slopes of the Pinhão Valley. Look back at the terraced slopes opposite to identify the villages you walked to earlier in the week. You’ll have magnificent views of the Douro River before reaching the last village of the day.
Spend the night in a 17th century country house with amazing views and a pool.
Meals – Breakfast and Packed Lunch
Overnight – a country ‘casa’, Casal de Loivos
6 km, 2 – 3 hours walking, 50m ascent
Today’s short but glorious walk down to Pinhão leaves you with time for a final winery tour and tasting session (optional, paid locally) overlooking the River Douro. You could have lunch in the village or a picnic in the vineyards before taking the train back to Porto for a night in the heart of the city in a stylish modern hotel.
Take some time to explore the city’s historical monuments, revitalised areas such as Rua das Flores and the riverside Ribeira district. If you have time, cross the river and visit at least one of the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia to see and smell where the barrels of aging wine are stored.
Meals – Breakfast only
Overnight – 4* Hotel, Porto
Private transfer to Porto Airport (included), independent onward travel or the possibility to extend your stay.
Download Factsheet
Douro Valley & Vineyards Factsheet
Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
Terrain – most of this walking holiday is off-road on rugged terrain so you will need proper walking shoes with cushioning and support. There is little shade so adequate weather protection is also vital. We strongly recommend the use of walking poles. A reasonable level of fitness is essential.
Accommodation – the itinerary is based on bed and breakfast in handpicked 3* & 4* hotels two unclassified country ‘casas’.
Lunch – packed lunches are included from your overnight accommodation on five of your walking days. Additionally, you can generally pick up supplies from local bakers or mini markets before you set off each day.
Party size – please note that the minimum party size is 2. For groups of 2 or more where a single room is needed, the single supplement is £225 (low season) and £270 (high season)
Porto Airport
Porto is the best airport to fly into. On arrival at Porto Airport a private transfer (included) will be waiting to take you the short distance to Porto’s Campanhã train station, where it is easy to catch a direct train to Pinhão. The last part of this journey is very scenic because the line follows the banks of the Douro river.
Trains run throughout the day – but please contact us for up to date timetables, (approx. €11 one way, 2hrs 20mins). Tickets can be pre-booked and we can help you to do this in advance. On arrival into Pinhão, you will be met and enjoy a brief welcome meeting – It is then either a walk or short taxi ride to your first nights accommodation.
Alternatively a private transfer can be organised to take you directly from Porto Airport to your first hotel in Pinhão (approx €200 supplement, 1hr45mins).
Extend your stay? – if you would like to add extra days in Porto, or the surrounding areas, before or after your walking holiday, simply let us know and we can help you arrange this.
Walking Holiday & Travel Insurance – we recommend you buy a good insurance package at the time of booking (or certainly prior to purchasing flights or booking ferries etc.), so that you are covered in the unlikely event of you having to cancel for an ‘insurable’ reason.
For more information on Walking Holiday & Travel Insurance – Click here
At Your Own Risk – please read important notes below entitled – At Your Own Risk
General Information
For general information on healthcare whilst travelling, visit www.bit.ly/HealthcareAbroad
For pre-travel information visit www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
Or use the ABTA information line on 020 3117 0599 or visit www.abta.com
You participate in all our self guided village to village walks at your own risk and responsible for your own safety.
All self-guided ‘village to village’ holidays are enjoyed entirely at your own risk and it is important that you understand that whilst the route notes are accurate at the time of writing, the situation on the ground may change and this itinerary relies on your sound judgement and decision making throughout. Our self-guided village to village itineraries have been organised so that you might enjoy a route and associated accommodation you may not otherwise have discovered having organised the itinerary yourself. It represents nothing more than the opportunity to go out on a series of beautiful walks in wonderful walking areas, with the support of knowing that many of the logistics have been arranged for you. It is a fact that hill and mountain walking can and is associated with personal injury and death. By coming to such areas, you are exposing yourself and your party to the possibility of personal injury or even death. In such an event, Collett’s Limited trading as Collett’s Mountain Holidays will not be held responsible for your interest in the outdoors and your involvement in walking, which can occasionally have tragic consequences. The information provided uses only marked paths which are in use at the time of writing, however, it is your responsibility to continually assess the suitability and safety of the route throughout the walk and to undertake any action necessary to avoid any terrain which each or any member of the group is not comfortable with. The route choice also assumes an ability to read maps and navigate competently. It is the responsibility of each individual in the group to make an assessment of the information provided, and to make an informed decision about whether the itinerary is suitable for them. Finally, during your village to village holiday organised by Collett’s Mountain Holidays you act at your own risk on any ideas, information and opinions included in any material prepared by us or on our behalf to help you get the most from the area.
Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
Here is a list of all our Village to Village routes. Simply contact us with your chosen route and dates, and we’ll do the rest . Once confirmed, you can then book your travel, relax and look forward to your holiday. Remember, the earlier you book, the better availability generally is and the quicker we can confirm.
Camino de Santiago – A Northern Route – Moderate/Long – From from £995
A delightful mix of coastal hiking on the magnificent Costa Verde and inland hill walking in Basque beauty.
Kitzbuhel to Cortina – A Grand Alpine Traverse – Moderate/Long – From £995
Weave your way from the foothills of Austria to the high drama of the Italian Dolomites.
Corsica Mountains to the Med – Moderate/Hard – From £1045
Explore the mountains, coast and culture of stunningly beautiful Corsica.
Basque Country Walking – Enchanted Villages – Moderate – From £985
Explore this quiet corner of the Spanish Basque Country with its captivating views and unspoilt nature. A bit quieter and off the beaten track.
Any Questions? Speak to someone with extensive knowledge of our walks and destinations.
Call 01799 513331 or enquire here or use the messenger service – bottom right.
My dad and I recently finished the Camino tour with Collett's. This is my second tour with Collett's (previously did a wonderful Dolomites tour).
The tour was excellent, from start to finish. The logistics, from arrival transport, luggage transport, and taxi pick-up, was efficient and well-organized. Javier, the on-the-ground guid(Read more...)
What an amazing week we had walking part of the Northern route of the Camino de Santiago. Certainly a challenge and hilly but with the right shoes, preparation and muscle rub - achievable! Spectacular scenery and attention to detail on route cards. Javier, the local agent was always on hand if needed and a very good communicator. H(Read more...)
Just a quick email to thank you and the team for organising our recent holiday in Northern Spain. From the beginning when Javier collected us for the transfer to Hondarribia and took the trouble to show us around San Sebastián, so we were able to make the most of extra time in San Sebastián on our return, we knew we would have a good (Read more...)
This was a great break. Excellent hiking along what must be one of the most beautiful stretches of the Camino del Norte.
As with all the other Collett holidays I have taken, the accommodation was excellent (Getaria was a special favourite), the food was good and Javier, our Colletts contact on the ground, was great. He was knowledgeab(Read more...)
Coastal Walking, Self-Guided Walking, Spanish Cuisine and Wine. The hotel Antsotegi was fine but rather 'tired'. It could be a lovely place with a bit more care and attention. Although the people there were polite and friendly, everywhere else the hosts were excellent. They were extremely kind and helpful, especially at the hotel near(Read more...)
A friend of mine and myself selected to go on the Camino holiday having had very positive experiences on previous trips organised by Collett's. We have found everything great. The information before had about the trip were good and the advice to get there by public transport very useful.
We were met at San Sebastian bus station by Ja(Read more...)
Loved the variety in the route, from hills/mountains, to country lanes, forests, and farm properties. Least enjoyable was walking thru harvested pine plantations, but understand that it is sometimes unavoidable. Really happy we took this 'less travelled' route. Packed lunches varied, most were very good. The best was the one from Casa(Read more...)
Hotels/guesthouses were all fantastic. Good locations, pleasant hosts. The first night's included meal was a bit of a let-down, as the intended restaurant was closed and none of the staff at the replacement spoke English. Also, while breakfasts were all good, some did not serve until 8:00 or even 8:30 on weekends, rendering an early d(Read more...)
Local contact was knowledgeable and friendly. Checked in at the end of first two days to be sure things were going well. Great accommodations. A few more lunch choices would be good.
Great rooms and innkeepers. More choices for lunch. Diversions from the Camino were well thought out and provided some scenic and photo ops.
Excellent (Read more...)
Been on holiday with you a few times before. Personal service, attention to detail, great staff in the office and the resort, lovely walks.... I could go on.