EVENT: Walking in the International Douro Valley: Viewpoints, Castles and Villages

DATE OF REALISATION: 6 to 8 December 2025

ENROLMENT DEADLINE : 15 November 2025

EVENT DESCRIPTION: “Walking in the Douro International Natural Park: Viewpoints, Castles and Villages”

In this activity proposal, we'll be travelling through some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Douro International Natural Park, in Trás-os-Montes, where tranquillity reigns and we feel small in the face of the rugged and beautiful nature of the Douro cliffs, not forgetting the region's excellent gastronomy. From Miranda do Douro to Mogadouro, from the villages and viewpoints, it's time to appreciate and contemplate this region! Come with us and you won't regret it! Limited places

These are some of the most important places we'll be visiting during this event: 

• Walk in the village of Picote
• Fraga Amarela and Castro da Cigadonha Trail - 6kms
• Fraga Amarela Viewpoint
• Fraga do Puio viewpoint
• Walk in Miranda do Douro
• Rio Fresno Urban Park
• Mother Church and Castle of Miranda do Douro
• Penha das Torres Viewpoint Trail (the easternmost in Portugal) - 6kms
• Castrilhouço Viewpoint
• Tour of Mogadouro (Town, Castle, Clock Tower, Convent of St Francis, Pillory, etc.)
• Visit to Penas Roias Castle
• Natural landscapes

TIME: Departure from Lisbon at 6.30am
RETURN: Arrival in Lisbon at 7.30pm

6th December (Saturday)

6h30 - Departure from Lisbon

12h00 - Visit to the village of Picote

12h45 - Trip to the Fraga do Puio viewpoint

13h15 - We suggest the picnic option, which is the responsibility of each participant

14h - Walking: “Fraga Amarela and Castro da Cigadonha Trail”

Points of interest: Picote Village, Fraga Amarela Viewpoint, Cigadonha Hillfort and Natural Landscapes

This is a linear route with a circular final section that allows you to visit the Cigadonha Hillfort. The whole route has a good natural setting and stunning views over the River Douro. This settlement from the 1st millennium BC occupies an extensive platform with steep cliffs overlooking the River Douro, where birds nest. The wall shows a large field of stones set with the end facing upwards, like sharp razors, defending the settlement's gateway.

Level of difficulty of the route: 2 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 6 kilometres

Estimated time: 2 hours

16h45 - Check-in at the hotel in Miranda do Douro and suggestion of a short walk at dusk

19h30 - Group Dinner Suggestion

7th December (Sunday)

9h15 - Walking: “Penha das Torres Viewpoint Trail” / Paradela

Points of interest: Paradela village, Penha das Torres viewpoint and Douro river cliffs

The route starts in the village of Paradela and follows rural paths to the Paradela viewpoint (Penha das Torres) overlooking the Spanish Castro dam. This is one of the most representative landscapes in the Douro International Valley, with the viewpoints located on the edge of a river canyon that locally consists of a gorge with vertical walls of over 150 metres.

Level of difficulty of the route: 2 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 6 kilometres

Estimated time: 2 hours

12h15 - Visit to the Castrilhouço viewpoint

13h00 - Lunch suggestion in Miranda do Douro

15h00 - Suggested Environmental Cruise on the River Douro (duration 1h30, departing from Miranda) - If it's of interest to the group, we'll have to book as soon as possible: ticket price: 22€ (not included)

16h45 - Walk in the Rio Fresno Urban Park

19h30 - Group Dinner Suggestion

8th December (Monday)

9h - Hotel check-out

9h45 - Visit to Penas Roias - Castle, Viewpoint and Mother Church, etc.

10h30 - Tour of Mogadouro - Castle, Clock Tower, Pillory, Convent of St Francis, Mother Church, etc.

12h30 - Suggested lunch in Mogadouro

14h30 - End of activity and return to Lisbon

Equipment: Suitable footwear and clothing for hiking/walking

Registration fee:

Price includes:

- Transport by coach/bus/tourist van from Lisbon to each of the places described above
- 2 Walks and the route described above
- Accommodation in a 3-star hotel, breakfast included
- The proposed accommodation option includes various room types
- Guided Walks
- Compulsory insurance

Prices with transport

Price in double room: 265€
Price in single room: 290€

Values without transport

Price in double room: 190€
Price in single room: 215€

Seat reservation fee: 50€

THE POSSIBILITY OF CAR-POOLING AMONG PARTICIPANTS IF THEY WISH, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO USE OUR TRANSPORT AND DON'T MIND SHARING OR HITCHHIKING WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS.

Prices valid until 20th November. From that date onwards the prices are 275€ and 300€ respectively (option with transport).

Notes: 

a) Registrations are limited and accommodation options are limited to availability at the time of booking.

b) If you have a group interested in this trip, contact us, we have personalised solutions.