Hiking the High Trails of Northern Portugal

Your journey begins in the northern Portuguese town of Ponte de Lima, so called because of the ancient Roman bridge spanning the Lima river that sits at the town’s heart. A staging post on the Portugese Camino de Santiago, Ponte de Lima is an attractive town with shops, restaurants and bars lining the medieval streets and the banks of the river. Enjoy dinner at one of the town’s excellent hostelries, toasting the start of your trip with a glass of local vinho verde wine. Ponte de Lima is easily accessible from Porto Airport by frequent and efficient local bus services with a journey time of 1hr 15mins or by private transfer (50mins, supplement applies). Accommodation: Overnight at a centrally located 3-star hotel with spacious rooms and close to all amenities.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring north to the Peneda-Gerês National Park and the remote village of Castro Laboreiro. The journey (approx 1hr 30mins) is very scenic as the road winds up into the Portuguese mountains. Deposit your luggage at the hotel, take your included packed lunch (from the hotel in Ponte de Lima) and get ready for your hike. Walk directly from the village out into the mountains with their distinctive rock formations. Descending from the village, you will reach a pleasant wooded valley where moss and lichens grow on the trees in the clear mountain air. Cross an ancient bridge and bathe your feet in the river. Enjoy the shade of the trees and the sound of the stream as you climb steadily uphill again to the plateau of smooth granite boulders. Enjoy the sweeping views across the valley to other hills, valleys and ridges before returning to Castro Laboreiro. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in this small mountain village. Accommodation: A small family-run 3-star hotel in the village.

Today you will cross the rocky highlands to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda, a pilgrimage site for local people for centuries. Set off on your walk from Castro Laboreiro out into the rocky mountain plateau. The trail passes through the Lamas do Mouro Park Gate as you descend into the forest to follow trails used for centuries by pilgrims down to the Sanctuary. The site of the Sanctuary (a large church) is dramatic, sitting at the bottom of a huge rock buttress in the remote Peneda Valley, blending spiritual heritage with natural beauty. Built between the 18th and 19th centuries, it honours a 13th-century apparition of the Virgin Mary to a shepherd girl and has since become a significant pilgrimage site, especially during the annual September festival. Transfer back to your accommodation in Castro Laboreiro.

After a short transfer from Castro Laboreiro, begin your walk from the Sanctuary of Peneda, following an ancient pilgrim route once used by villagers attending religious festivals. The path descends through dramatic mountain scenery, with sheer granite cliffs towering above as you trace the River Peneda through the tiny hamlet of Tibo. Further down the valley, the river becomes the natural border with Spain—a reminder of the once-thriving contraband routes that crisscrossed these remote hills. From the riverside village of Várzea, it’s a gentle stroll along a paved track beside the impressive Lima River dam to reach Lindoso. Alternatively, you can curtail the hike here and take a local taxi (to be booked in advance) for the last 8km. In Lindoso, a medieval castle and a cluster of granite espigueiros (grain stores) offer a glimpse into the area’s historic importance. Accommodation: Stay 2 nights in a beautifully restored village house, where displays of traditional tools and embroidery evoke the rhythms of rural life.

Walk through the ancient streets of Lindoso village and through a forest to follow an unpaved road that leads gently uphill, offering spectacular views of the Soajo Mountains opposite. Once you begin your descent, the views get even better! Enjoy the utter peace and quiet and pure mountain air as you make your way downhill to the village of Cidadelhe. At this point, you have walked 15.5 km. If this is enough for the day, you can take a taxi back to your overnight accommodation. For those who want a longer walk, complete the circuit and walk all the way to Lindoso.

A scenic drive takes you from Lindoso to Avelar, a small shepherds' village in the heart of the spectacular Soajo Mountains. The day begins with a steep climb, soon rewarded by sweeping views over the Peneda and Soajo ranges and the lush Ramiscal Valley. Along the route, you'll encounter rare traces of rural heritage, including ancient wolf traps and stone shepherd shelters. As the path descends towards the Mezio Park Gate, the going gets easier, with chances to pause by crystal-clear pools in a forested river valley. Continue through a patchwork of mixed woodland and high mountain meadows to the granite village of Soajo. While you wait for your transfer to Viana do Castelo, take time to explore the village’s iconic espigueiros (stone granaries) and its 16th-century pillory—a symbol of historical municipal justice where petty criminals were once publicly shamed. It is also possible to shorten today's walk by taking a pre-arranged taxi at the Mezio Park Gate. Accommodation: Overnight in a very comfortable and centrally-located 4 star hotel with an excellent restaurant in Viana de Castelo.

You can choose to spend part of the day discovering the charms of Viana do Castelo, a coastal gem known for its elegant architecture and strong maritime heritage. Visit the hilltop Santa Luzia Basilica for panoramic views over the Lima River estuary, explore traditional Portuguese attire at the Costume Museum, or step aboard the Gil Eanes Hospital Ship, now a floating museum celebrating Portugal’s seafaring past. When you're ready, board a direct train or bus to Porto—a comfortable and scenic journey of around two hours (train fare low cost and payable locally). The rest of the day is yours to explore Porto at your own pace. Wander the cobbled streets of the Ribeira district, browse local markets and artisan shops, or enjoy a tasting tour in the famous port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river. With a wide range of excellent restaurants, from traditional tascas to Michelin-starred dining, Porto is the perfect place to reflect on your Northern Portugal adventure. Accomodation: Overnight in a 4 star hotel in the centre of the city.