Self-guided Douro Valley Wine Hiking Tour. Explore Portugal’s famous wine region: the Douro Valley! During this tour, you will discover one of the most iconic and historically relevant zones in Portugal. The Douro wine region is widely known as the oldest demarked zone for the production of grapes in the world. In addition to its impressive legacy, the region boasts an extremely beautiful landscape, with stunning scenery throughout. Your tour starts as you arrive at Douro Valley from Porto, taking in the breathtaking terrace landscape along the way. Spend your days hiking through impressive hills and valleys, enjoying plenty of sunshine and fresh air. Surrounded by small wine villages and views over the sparkling river, your days end as you relax and enjoy fine wines at the local wineries. Here, you can enjoy delicious homemade dinners and of course, traditional Portugal Douro Valley wines! The Douro Valley is a very special place for all those who pass here, and it is truly one of Portugal’s hidden gems. Reserve your self-guided Douro Valley Wine Hiking Tour today! Note: We recommend booking in advance and avoiding the high season months. Traveling to Portugal is great in the spring or early fall!
Tour starts and finishes in Porto. We recommend arrival from Lisbon via train to Campanhã or São Bento stations.
Not Included:
Included Hotels:
About: Deluxe hotels that are convenient to the route and that offer the traditional wine-lodging experience. All lodging includes a private bathroom and a variety of other amenities. Ask about upgrading to the wine barrel rooms in Lamego! All lodging is subject to availability.
Local Expert: Antonio is our on-site expert. He lives in Lisbon and has been all over the country! Antonio will meet you for orientation on arrival day as well as provide emergency support throughout your trip. Our local guides and experts are available by phone to assist during your trip with any kind of emergency and if due to weather or other reason you need to arrange a transfer.
Need to Know:
Welcome to Portugal! Arrive to your Porto hotel on your own. If you have some free time on the first day, make sure to have a stroll around the city. We suggest a riverside walk, a fresh fish dinner, and a visit to the Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. The opportunities are endless, and Porto is an absolutely gorgeous city!
Highlights: Porto discovery, on own
Overnight: Porto
Today starts with a train trip to Pinhão, where you will begin another beautiful hike. During your journey, you will find yourself crossing the vineyards down the slopes. Pass over the Douro River and beyond, as you go towards the north, east, and west. It is a peaceful journey, and you can relax and enjoy the incredible scenery of the vineyards, which create winding patterns in shades od green and brown. The surrounding mountains further elevate the landscape, with kilometers of water running down to meet the river. The Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and today, you will truly understand why! Tonight, stay in a historical hotel and at 4:00 pm, you will enjoy a complimentary wine tasting to cap off your day!
Meals: breakfast & wine tasting
Duration: train is 1 hr
Highlights: train journey & Douro discovery
Overnight: Pinhão
This morning starts with a transfer to the beginning of the hike in Sabrosa. Sabrosa is well known as the home of Ferdinand Magellan, one of the most known navigators of the 16th century. Today’s hike will be a challenge both for wine tasting fans and hikers alike! As you cross through the plateau, your landscape will become full of sprawling vineyards and small villages. Continuing on, follow old pathways to the small town of Vilarinho São Romão, and then Provosende. Its old manor houses are worth noting, and we recommend taking a short break here. The views are absolutely stunning! Your hike finishes in Pinhão, where you will again overnight.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 15 km / 9 mi, +300m
Highlights: stunning viewpoints and villages in the Douro
Overnight: Pinhão
After another delicious Portuguese breakfast, you will begin your loop hike from the hotel! The vistas will be endless, as you hike to 750 masl. Pass through small villages like Casal Loivos, with vineyard filled hills and lush green valleys. Walk over the Douro river and beyond, as you hike towards the north. Your route will return you back to Pinhão, alongside the river, after a peaceful day of hiking with extraordinary landscapes. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner and wine selection (included,) as you relax and reflect on your day’s activities!
Meals: breakfast & dinner
Distance: 12 km / 7 mi, +500m
Highlights: hiking vineyard landscapes, Pinhão River
Overnight: Pinhão
Today’s hike starts with a transfer to Lamego, which is an elegant town rich in Baroque style and history. Atop one of the town’s main hills stands a castle that dates back to the 13th century, with an interior that is over 100 years old. Take some time to visit and explore the town before starting your hike. Your route today will continue through and around more charming villages that are so typical of this northern region in Portugal, with plenty of beautiful landscapes throughout! Finish the day in Régua, another important town along the Douro River. Régua has been a center of the port wine industry for centuries and has many attractions for wine enthusiasts. Tonight, relax in the hotel and enjoy the sunset over the vineyards!
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 14 km / 9 mi, +200m
Highlights: visit Lamego and hike to Régua
Overnight: Lamego
Starting from Régua, you will cross into Portugal;s beautiful wine country: the Douro Valley. The hilly slopes are challenging, and will make your delicious food and very wine well-earned at the end of the day! The landscape along the way offers stunning viewpoints. Stop and relax for a moment or two, or take some photos to capture this beautiful experience. As you cross the plateau, take in the ever-present and sprawling vineyard landscape, as well as the quaint villages along the old paths. Your route will loop, taking you back to your same hotel for the night. Wine and cheese pairing is included, to delight your taste buds as you wind down from the day’s activities!
Meals: breakfast, wine & cheese pairing
Distance: 10 km / 6 mi, +200m
Highlights: hiking into the Douro
Overnight: Lamego
Today, a wonderful boat ride on the Regua River awaits you, and the views will be simply breathtaking! Spend the day cruising the Douro River to Régua, passing through the glorious Douro Valley! Appetizers and lunch will be served on board, while you enjoy the passing views of the river banks and valley slopes. Here, the intricately terraced slopes are monumental, and the wine culture is present at every step along the way. Your day ends with a transfer to the hotel, and you are free to enjoy the rest of your time exploring Porto!
Meals: breakfast & lunch
Highlights: Douro River cruise & lunch
Overnight: Porto
After breakfast today, you are free to depart from Porto as your schedule requires. If you would like to add an extra night or two in Porto, please let us know at the time of booking. We highly recommend spending more time in this city which is so rich in history and culture!
Meals: breakfast
Duration: train is 2.5 hrs
Dates: Plan your trip at a time that best fits your schedule! Pure Adventures tours have flexible start dates.
2024 Tour Rates by Season: based on double occupancy
New! Travel Insurance is now required to participate in this tour. You can book through our preferred vendors or your own. Proof of coverage will be required.
We went as a group of 6 (3 couples) to celebrate some big birthdays in our group! We had such a fun time hiking around the Douro and trying all of the wine and good food. All of us had different aspects that were highlights on this tour program, but no one had anything negative to share, other than maybe wanting to stay longer!
Such a fun tour – where to start! We loved this area, it is so lush and beautiful. The hiking was a good workout but not too hard. This area has exceptional wine, so you will definitely enjoy all of that. I think the hotels that Pure Advneutres uses on this trip are really of a good quality, and I don’t think we could have figured all of this out on our own, especially the routing! The trip had a lot of special inside info and tips, so that was a really helpful aspect. All four of us said we would do this trip again in a heartbeat!
Great hiking tour with everything organized nicely – just show up and get ready to hike, eat and drink some good Portuguese wine! We were very pleased with the self-guided format instead of guided. My wife could have more of a lie in most mornings and less rushing around!
Third trip with Pure Adventures – good hiking tour. We recommend.
Very relaxed hiking tour with go at your own pace style. Good services and support. We even found the hotel staff to be on point and helpful, which is rare. The app worked well for the duration. The Douro region is exceptional.
