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Moss-covered stone stairs with a central waterfall cascade through a lush, green forest in Costa Rica.
Portugal

Paths Less Taken: Hiking Forests & Villages of Portugal

Program No. 25610RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
26 meals ( 11B, 7L, 8D )
2 expert-led lectures
17 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
11 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Remember to bring your nametag.
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. In addition to our knowledgeable Group Leader, we will learn from local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Transportation for field trips and other program-related activities will be via private motorcoach unless indicated otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking 4 miles, approximately 3-4 hours at an even pace with extensive standing; cobblestones, hilly streets, sidewalks and staircase with 196 steps (Cristal Palace). The upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge in Porto has an altitude of approximately 203 feet above the level of the Douro River.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather in the hotel meeting room for an introductory lecture from a local expert. Next, we will check out and load the suitcases into the bus. We will then start a walking exploration through one of Porto’s most iconic highlights, walking over the roof of Palácio de Cristal. The Crystal Palace is one of the city’s most emblematic and cherished spaces, especially for its connection to culture, landscape, and leisure. Inaugurated in 1865, the original building—inspired by London’s Crystal Palace—was designed to host major international exhibitions. Although the iron and glass palace was demolished in 1951, the site retained its name and symbolic importance, now housing the current Rosa Mota Pavilion, surrounded by magnificent gardens organized on several levels, combining tree-lined avenues, fountains, sculptures, and various themed gardens. The walk on the dome refers to the pedestrian path that encircles and surrounds the structure of the current pavilion, whose rounded shape stands out in the center of the gardens. During this walk, we will experience an elevated and immersive perspective, allowing us to observe the city, the river, and the ocean from different angles. After this walk, we will proceed to the historic section of Porto in downtown, an area classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will pass by the Clérigos Tower, Avenida dos Aliados, Praça da Liberdade, São Bento Station, and the Cathedral. Later, we will continue across the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge, built in 1886, ending at Gaia riverfront.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like at Gaia riverfront. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
After some time to stroll around Gaia’s riverfront, we will depart by motorcoach to Luso. Upon arrival at the hotel, we will check in and take some time to relax and freshen up before gathering for a briefing about this week’s hikes before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Uneven trails with frequent short ascents and descents with a total ascent/descent of 1,270 feet. Steep terrain of dirt and rocky slopes, cobbled steps and staircases and narrow slippery paths that require good leg strength and sure-footedness. Physical effort moderate but continuous—ideal for people prepared for an energetic woodland hike. Hiking 4 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel or a nearby site, we’ll hear a lecture from a local instructor introducing the rich biodiversity, historical legacy of the Carmelite presence that has shaped this historic landscape, and the Napoleonic “Battle of Bussaco.” Created in the mid-1600s, Bussaco’s Via Sacra is one of Europe’s most notable Sacromonte routes—an interpretation of Jerusalem’s Holy City designed to symbolically follow the Passion of Christ. Its chapels, stairways and symbolic gates add cultural and spiritual depth to the experience. After the lecture, we will start our hike exploring the most iconic areas of the Bussaco Forest, combining sections of the historic Via Sacra with the ancient Relic Forest. The route follows selected segments of the 17th-century Via Sacra, passing small chapels that mark the Stations of the Cross and demanding several stair climbs. After the Via Sacra sections, we will enter the Relic Forest the most ancient and untouched part of Bussaco and the trail becomes more shaded but also rockier and steeper, contributing to the cumulative 1,270-foot ascent. This area represents a rare remnant of pre-human mountain woodland, making up roughly 15 percent of the forest with native species such as laurel, holly, strawberry tree, cork oak, stone pine, and mock privet. There will be moss-covered rocks, dramatic slopes, ancient trees and occasional breathtaking viewpoints where we will stop. At the end, we will walk back to the hotel. NOTE: Recommendations for this hike: Sturdy hiking shoes and trekking poles for stability on descents, water and sun protection for exposed sections.
Lunch:
On your own to explore local cuisine.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take the afternoon to enjoy the Grande Hotel de Luso designed by architect Cassiano Branco and its facilities such as an Olympic-sized outdoor pool and an indoor pool or try the thermal waters of Luso and visit the old 1930s baths.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Circular Route: predominantly flat wetland walk with an elevation gain/loss of about 270 feet, approximately 2.5 hours. Suitable for walkers seeking a slow-paced, low-intensity experience with frequent stops. The terrain consists of well-maintained dirt paths, farm tracks, and short boardwalk sections. Hiking 5 miles and walking 2 miles.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will transfer from Luso to Salreu where we will begin our expert-led circular walk in one of the most remarkable wetland ecosystems in Portugal: the BioRia network, located within the Ria de Aveiro lagoon system and the Baixo Vouga Lagunar. BioRia is a pioneering environmental restoration and conservation project developed to rehabilitate degraded wetland areas and reconnect the region with its natural heritage. This circular walk begins and ends at the Environmental Interpretation Center, the main gateway to BioRia crossing representative lagoon-landscape habitats such as the rice fields, tidal marshes, reed beds, and rush meadows rich in birdlife (herons, egrets, spoonbills, raptors, ducks, waders). NOTE: Bring comfortable walking shoes (flat terrain, may be soft/muddy after rain), lightweight outdoor clothing, and a camera (the horizons and soft light are ideal for landscape photography). At the end, we’ll hop back on the motorcoach and ride to Aveiro for lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll enjoy a short stroll around Aveiro’s charming center with its Art Nouveau tile façades. We’ll then head via motorcoach to Mealhada and visit a local winery where we will taste their famous sparkling wine before returning to the hotel and adjourning for today.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local cuisine.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 140 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Morning trail includes a total ascent/descent of about 974 feet. Hiking 5 miles, approximately 2.5-3 hours with several short but steep climbs—particularly near Figueiral and on the approach to the higher viewpoints. Terrain is irregular, occasional rocky and slippery with uneven forest paths, rocky surfaces, and narrow sections near citrus terraces. Walking 1/2 mile.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out and transfer to Caramulo to start a guided hike called “hike of the orange trees.” This route explores one of the most atmospheric landscapes of the Caramulo foothills and a reminder of Portugal’s original Atlantic forest. Throughout this loop, we will move through traditional villages with granite houses and old chapels that reflect centuries of human presence, orchards, ancient forests, and river valleys, passing citrus groves that once played an important economic role, chestnut woodlands, traditional water mills and “levadas” (irrigation channels) once fundamental to rural life. The constant presence of running water, terraced slopes, and deep green vegetation will define the entire route. We’ll make a moderately demanding climb to the highest viewpoint to overlook Serra do Caramulo and Vale de Besteiros; we’ll have the opportunity to take pictures of rural structures and textures and the local atmosphere and river scenery. NOTE: This is a manageable hike for active walkers who are comfortable with varied terrain and continuous elevation changes with extra care in narrow terrace areas. Sturdy hiking shoes are required, comfortable outdoor clothing, trekking poles for steeper ascents/descents.
Lunch:
Light lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will start the afternoon with an expert-led visit to the Caramulo Museum, featuring a unique collection of classic cars and fine art. Afterwards, we’ll drive to the hotel in Covilhã for check-in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 60 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Trail includes a total descent of over 2,411 feet through irregular terrain, occasional rocky and slippery with uneven paths. Hiking 6.5 miles, over 2.5 hours; walking 1/2 mile.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll ride on the motorcoach to Serra da Estrela Natural Park, Portugal’s highest mountain range. We will stop at Torre (6,539 feet), the highest point in mainland Portugal. Here, we’ll enjoy some time to enjoy the landscape and visit local stalls to purchase regional products (cheese, cured meats, bread, honey, etc.) for a picnic we’ll enjoy later. Later we will drive to Covão d’Ametade to begin our hike on a trail that descends through the spectacular Zêzere Glacier Valley shaped by ice 20,000 years ago, enjoying mountain vistas, glacial formations, and pastoral landscapes that will lead us to the bottom of the valley. Before starting the descent, take the opportunity to appreciate the small but well-preserved grove of yew and birch trees that exists there. Upon reaching the base of the valley, we will pass stone houses, known locally as “cortes,” which have served as support for mountain agriculture and pastoralism for centuries. As we walk, we’ll begin to see the village of Manteigas in the distance and the trout farms that the Forestry Services use to regularly repopulate the mountain rivers and lagoons. NOTE: This is a manageable hike for active walkers. Sturdy hiking shoes are required, comfortable outdoor clothing, trekking poles.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a picnic lunch along the trail with the regional products purchased in Torre. Mineral water included.
Afternoon:
We’ll stop in Manteigas, a picturesque mountain village, and take the opportunity to buy more local products before continuing to Covilhã. Arriving in Covilhã, a charming mountain city with a rich history linked to the wool industry and a lively student atmosphere, we will visit the New Hand Lab, a creative project revitalizing Covilhã’s textile heritage through contemporary art and design. Located in a former wool factory, it preserves the industrial heritage of Covilhã’s traditional wool industry. The space promotes creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship by supporting artists, designers, artisans, and creators working in fields like fashion, textiles, and multimedia arts. A local expert will connect the site’s industrial past with contemporary creative practices, offering an immersive journey through Covilhã’s textile heritage. We will then drive back to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 62 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. This trail includes a total elevation gain of 702 feet through irregular dirt tracks, occasional rocky and slippery with uneven paths, and a gentle but sustained climb toward the Serra da Malcata slopes. The trail is suitable for hikers comfortable with mixed terrain, moderate elevation gain, and walking on natural surfaces. Hiking 7 miles, approximately 3.5 hours; walking 1 mile.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will head out by motorcoach to Meimoa Dam to start our hike. This trail combines open landscapes, water features, pine and olive forests, and historic villages, starting near Meimoa’s river beach and following to Meimoa Dam. We will cross its imposing wall with wide views of the water and surrounding hills and proceed along quiet rural tracks and the reservoir shoreline, and gradually ascend toward the Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve, historically a refuge of the Iberian lynx and rich in its biodiversity. The route concludes in the small mountain village of Meimão, before a drive to the medieval village of Sortelha. NOTE: Sturdy hiking shoes are required, comfortable outdoor clothing; trekking poles recommended for ascents.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a bag lunch along the trail.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue from Meimão to Sortelha. Upon arrival, we’ll have an expert-led visit to Sortelha, exploring one of Portugal’s most beautiful and best-preserved historical villages, enclosed by medieval granite walls and dotted with stone houses and narrow cobbled streets. We will visit its medieval castle, the clock tower and the Chapel of Santiago. At the end, we’ll ride back to Covilhã and the hotel. We’ll make a stop at Covilhã’s street art area for those wishing to explore independently. The Street Art Route is an urban art experience that transforms the historic center of Covilhã into an open-air museum. Created around the WOOL – Covilhã Urban Art Festival, which began in 2011, the route is now one of the city’s main cultural attractions, celebrating Covilhã's connection to the wool industry and the Serra da Estrela mountain range. The works on the route pay homage to the region’s textile heritage, shepherds, and mountain people. Murals by artists such as VHILS, Add Fuel, Bordalo II, Tamara Alves, Samina, and Gijs Vanhee populate facades and walls, reinterpreting themes such as wool, manual labor, and the city’s industrial memory. Each piece invites us to discover new perspectives on the past and present of Covilhã, now recognized by UNESCO as a “Creative City of Design.” The Group Leader and local experts will help providing maps and apps so that the route can be explored independently.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local cuisine in Covilhã or at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 150 miles, under 4 hours riding time. This trail includes a substantial cumulative ascent of about 1,535 feet, concentrated in the climbs toward the final approach to Monsanto, while the descent is lighter (338 feet). Expect dirt tracks interspersed with short rocky sections and village streets. Suitable for active walkers prepared for a pronounced uphill profile. Hiking 7.5 miles, approximately 3 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and ride on the motorcoach to Idanha-a-Velha to start our hike. Once known as Egitânia, this small village was an important Roman city, and its history still whispers from every corner. The Roman walls, the cathedral ruins, and the beautifully preserved Manor House tell stories spanning more than two thousand years. Surrounded by golden plains, Idanha-a-Velha offers a rare kind of peace. There are no crowds here — only a profound sense of place. We will visit it with our hiking expert first, then start the hike moving from the low-lying Ponsul river plains and olive and cork-oak groves to the higher, granite-dominated slopes of Monsanto with continuous opportunities for photography. Monsanto is one of the country’s most extraordinary villages. Known as “the most Portuguese village in Portugal,” it captivates visitors with its dramatic landscape, where enormous boulders shape streets, houses, and daily life. Our visit will start with a walk through its steep cobbled streets, passing stone houses built between and beneath massive rocks. Many doors, roofs, and walls are formed by natural granite, creating a setting unlike anywhere else in Europe. At the top, we will follow the path to the Castle, a medieval fortress offering breathtaking panoramic views over the surrounding plains and into Spain on clear days. Along the way, we will explore historic landmarks such as the Romanesque Chapel of São Miguel or the Clock Tower. In 2021, a team shooting the series “Game of Thrones” was in Monsanto for about one month and in 2022, “House of the Dragon” premiered worldwide.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a sack lunch along the trail.
Afternoon:
We’ll ride to Vilar Formoso to visit the Frontier of Peace Museum & Memorial to Refugees, led by museum staff. Located on the eastern border of Portugal, for decades, Vilar Formoso served as one of the country’s main gateways to Europe. The museum was inaugurated in 2017 as a space that honors Portugal’s role in welcoming refugees during the Second World War, transforming warehouses at the railway station into a memorial about the refugees’ experience and the work of Consul Aristides de Sousa Mendes. Through photographs, documents, and personal testimonies, the museum offers a powerful insight into the human side of history. We will have time to admire the beautiful tiles of the train station from the 1930s used to advertise Portuguese landscape, monuments to all those arriving to Portugal on holidays by car or train. We will then start our drive towards the Northeast and the Douro Valley, arriving at Longroiva for check-in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 17 miles, under 1 hour riding time. Walking 4.5 miles, approximately 2-2.5 hours. This is a gentle and scenic walk with minimal ascent (59 feet) and a continuous, long, and gentle descent (1,037 feet) as the trail moves from the higher village of Chãs toward the lower terraces surrounding Quinta da Ervamoira.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll drive by motorcoach to Muxagata to start a scenic walk through the Douro Superior, finishing at Ervamoira, one of the region’s most emblematic wine estates surrounded by vineyards. This walk begins beside the Igreja Matriz de Chãs, following narrow village lanes paved with calçada portuguesa before opening into the terraced hills typical of the Douro Superior. Over the course of our descent, we will traverse vineyards, olive groves, and open viewpoints overlooking the Ervamoira valley. The walk concludes with lunch at Casa Ramos Pinto, where we will learn about the region’s wine and olive oil traditions and have lunch. NOTE: Comfortable walking shoes for mixed surfaces, sun protection for open vineyard terraces, a camera to capture the Douro’s iconic landscapes.
Lunch:
Light lunch and wine tasting at the Quinta.
Afternoon:
Returning to the hotel, we’ll have free time to discover Longroiva before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 24 miles, under 1 hour riding time. Walking/standing in museum. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice. Evening: Getting on/off all-terrain vehicles. This is not a traditional hike. Minimal walking to short paths around rock panels. Opportunities for photography (no flash). Bring warm layer as night temperatures can drop, comfortable shoes suitable for short walk on natural terrain. Walking 2 miles.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will drive on the motorcoach to Vila Nova de Foz Côa and visit the Museum of Prehistoric Rock Art Site in the Côa Valley. Foz Coa is in an area shaped by centuries of human interaction with nature, part of the Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a local expert, we will discover the prehistoric history of the Douro Valley, which has been inhabited continuously since the end of the Paleolithic Age. After the visit, we will continue to the center of Foz Coa and stroll around and purchase regional products for lunch or have something to eat in a cafe before returning to the hotel.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will take the motorcoach back to the hotel for free time. Enjoy the hotel facilities spa, thermal pools, or relax and get ready for the night walk.
Dinner:
Early dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
We’ll take the motorcoach to Castelo Melhor for a unique evening visit in the Vale do Côa, exploring one of the world’s most important open-air galleries of Paleolithic rock art. On the way to the village of Castelo Melhor, we will pass through scenic rural landscapes dotted with olive groves and almond orchards. From Castelo Melhor, we will continue in all-terrain vehicles to the Penascosa Archaeological Site for a night visit of the site. The rock art at Penascosa shows thousands of Paleolithic engravings of horses, aurochs, ibex, and other animals incised into the schist rock. At night, the figures stand out in three dimensions unlike during the day when these engravings can be difficult to see because the sunlight hits the rocks evenly. Upon arrival, we will follow a short, well-maintained path leading to the rock panels, where the prehistoric engravings are illuminated with soft controlled night lighting. The visit centers on observation and interpretation of Paleolithic rock art. The subtle night lighting enhances visibility, allowing us to fully appreciate motifs from the Paleolithic period, along with Neolithic, Iron Age, and later historical markings. The visit emphasizes immersion and interpretation rather than physical effort, allowing us to connect directly with humanity’s earliest artistic expressions. We will enjoy a magical expert-led experience. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 87 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time with winding or hilly roads in the morning and on motorway in the afternoon. Getting on/off a train; riding for 1.5 hours. Minimum physical effort. Walking 1 mile. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and cover the final miles of our journey in the Douro Valley driving by motorcoach towards Pocinho to catch the train. The Douro Railway Line, is one of Portugal’s most emblematic railway infrastructures, standing out for its historical and economic importance as well as the unique landscape it traverses. The line was conceived in the 19th century with the aim of connecting Porto to the interior of the country, facilitating the transport of people and goods, especially Port wine, produced on the slopes of the Douro Valley. Its construction began in 1875, reaching Peso da Régua in 1879 and Pocinho in 1887, overcoming enormous engineering challenges imposed by the rugged terrain and the constant proximity of the Douro River. For an hour and a half, we will follow the course of the river, crossing tunnels carved into the rock, metal bridges, and steep slopes covered in terraced vineyards. This harmonious integration between engineering and nature has transformed the line into one of the most beautiful railway routes in Europe, located in a region classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival to Peso da Régua in the heart of the Douro region, we will step off and walk to a local restaurant for lunch.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Regua. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell lunch.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will rejoin our motorcoach and transfer to Porto to check in at our last hotel and adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. Airport transfers beginning at approximately 3:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel depending on departure time. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Mar 07, 2027 - Mar 19, 2027
Apr 04, 2027 - Apr 16, 2027
Apr 11, 2027 - Apr 23, 2027
May 23, 2027 - Jun 04, 2027
Jun 06, 2027 - Jun 18, 2027
Sep 05, 2027 - Sep 17, 2027
Oct 10, 2027 - Oct 22, 2027