Walking in Portugal's Undiscovered North

We run this vacation from mid-April through June and then September through to early November. Availability tends to be easier if you start on a weekday (except Tuesday of course) and flights tend to be cheaper.

The climate in Minho is generally mild but it can be humid, with temperatures ranging around 20º-25ºc from May to October.

Peak season is from mid-July to the end of August but we do not generally offer this trip during that period as it is busy with summer vacation makers from Portugal and Spain and it can be too hot to be enjoyable.

We do guarantee only one departure every day, so if you have a limited travel window and specific dates we suggest you book around nine months ahead. If you are flexible with dates, then three – four months ahead should be fine.

In common with all of our Inn to Inn walking vacations, most of the costs of this vacation are fixed so going solo will usually mean you pay nearly the same for one person as you would for two.

You can expect to be walking around five – six hours each day at a comfortable pace with plenty of stops. Distances average around 20 km each day but there are some shorter days and options to shorten some walks.

There are two days (Sistelo and Caminho) that have some steep ascents of between 600 and 650m. The other days are fairly gentle.

We provide detailed OS maps, walking notes and a smart phone with a GPS-enabled navigation device - your route is pre-loaded.

Most of our guests like to navigate using maps and written notes but appreciate having the reassurance of the GPS just to check if they feel unsure at any point.

With all of the navigational tools at your disposal, and the friendly locals, you are unlikely to get lost but if you do get into any difficulties, simply call the local support number - we are always on hand 24/7.

Your main luggage is transferred ahead for you each day you move on. This is the case with all our Inn to Inn trips. You just carry a day pack with what you need for the day. The hotels are very familiar with this system.

Yes, it's usually possible to skip a walk on any given day if you are tired, the weather is being unkind or you want to give your knees a rest.

You can hop in with the luggage transfer and travel to your next hotel by vehicle. It's best to let us know the night before if you can so we can let everyone know.

You can of course use the circular routes as rest days and opt out of the walk that day and explore the local area instead. Your guide will be able to talk you through the different options during the briefing.

Most of the hotels you stay in during this vacation are historical buildings that have been recently renovated, so they have a lot of comfort and character.

For your first couple of nights you stay in a renovated granite house where the lower floor would have housed animals. Today it's a lovely two-room house with great character.

The hotels in Arcos, along the Caminho de Santiago and those along the Minho river have swimming pools. The hotel at the end of the Caminho day is simpler than the others, as it's a pilgrims' hotel, but it's a very comfortable one by pilgrims' standards!

There are a couple of nights in a delightful hotel outside the town of Caminha, so that you can have a full day relaxing at the pool or the spa before heading to Viana, your final destination.

One advantage of the slow pace of an Inn to Inn walk is that it allows you to enjoy not only the nature around you, but also gain a deeper insight into local life.

This itinerary was designed precisely to give you a real insight into one of the least visited corners of Portugal. Some short, guided transfers have been included both to facilitate the walking and to ensure you have a rich cultural experience.

Food and wine will be a big part of your cultural experience in Northern Portugal - from the many varieties of vinho verde to the stunning sea food of the Atlantic coast.

Can I make changes to this trip?

This vacation can be tailored to suit you in certain ways though as an Inn to Inn walk, we can't easily deviate from the route without compromising the trip.

Extending the trip, either into Spain or joining with another walk in southern Portugal is perfectly possible.

We take a 15% deposit to secure your vacation, with the remainder due eight weeks before your departure.

Your money is 100% protected through our ATOL licence if your trip includes a flight booked through us, or through our ABTOT bond if it does not. Either way, this protection provides a cast-iron financial guarantee and helps you book with complete peace of mind. Because the contract between us exists here in the UK, you get this protection regardless of where you live.