Northern Portugal - Sunflower Books

Here, in the province of Minho (arguably the most beautiful part of the country), the lush greenness of the coastal lowlands, the Costa Verde, contrasts sharply with the mountainous interior — one of Europe’s last wilderness areas.

While emphasising excursions in the country’s only national park, the Peneda-Gerês, the book also describes more gregarious pursuits — visiting local markets, sampling at the Port wine lodges, and cruising on the Douro.

The best months for walking in Portugal (Minho/Peneda-Gerês) are from late April to mid-June and from mid-September till the end of October.


TOURING
Car tour 1: THE VINHO VERDE CIRCUIT
Car tour 2: HISTORICAL PURSUITS
Car tour 3: PENEDA-GERÊS NATIONAL PARK AND SIERRA DE XURÉS NATURAL PARK
Wine tour: PORTO AND THE RIVER DOURO

THE WALKS
1 Serra de Arga (Montaria · Alto das Cocanhas · Pedrulhos · Montaria)
2 Serra de Arga (Arga de Baixo · Porta do Lobo · Arga de Cima · Arga de Baixo)
3 São Miguel · Sobredo · Germil · Froufe · São Miguel
4 Ermida · Bilhares · Ermida
5 Brufe · Cutelo · Carvalhinha · Cutelo · Cortinhas · Brufe
6 Brufe · Casarotas · Chã do Salgueiral · Marco de Anta · Cortinhas · Brufe
7 Branda de Travanca · Currais Velhos · Lage Negra · Bicos · Branda de Travanca
8 Bouças Donas · Branda de Bostejões · Vitoreira · Bostelinhos · Bouças Donas
9 Soajo · Branda da Bordença · Adrão · Bogalheira · Rio Adrão · Soajo
10 Soajo · Trapela · Murça · Soajo
11 Vilar – Avelar circuit
12 Circuit of Penameda from Nossa Senhora da Peneda