Portugal
Description
It wasn't until the late nineteen-nineties that Portugal started the construction and marking of hiking paths. Long distance hiking trails are still rare. The major Grande Rota (GR's) are in part no more than a promiss. Of European long distance hiking trail E7 (GR12), 80 km on the border with Spain are ready. The GR11, Camino de Santiago, by now runs from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela. Most fully completed is the 540 km long GR22, Trail of the Old Towns. Problematic in Portugal are the often outdated maps and sometimes poor condition of paths and markings.
As a good alternative you can hike a range of shorter trails, which you will come across in all national parks and protected landscape areas. These walks last from several hours to a full day, and are marked in red and yellow. Names of these trails start with PR, Pequena Rota (= minor routes), signposts mark the trailheads, although some trails are circular. Try to buy maps and guides through the internet or in you own country in advance, because locally these are hard to come by.
Walking the shorter trails is an excellent way to explore Portugese nature. The first national park that deserves to be mentioned is Peneda-Gerês, a mountain area abounding in water, in the north of Portugal forming the border with Spain. Another good area for hiking is the Serra de Estrela, where you will find mainland Portugal's highest mountain Malhão de Estrela (1993m). Most hikers will be looking for walks in the Algarve, and on the vulcanic islands of Madeira, the Azores (with Mount Pico as the highest at 2351m) and Berlengas. These popular islands harbour bizarre plant and animal life, and offer numerous short marked trails.
Trails
Regions
- Alentejo
- Algarve
- Alvão Natural Park
- Arrábida
- Azores
- Berlengas
- Corvo, Azores
- Costa Verde
- Doura
- Estremadura
- Faial, Azores
- Flores, Azores
- Graciosa, Azores
- Madeira
- Montesinho
- Peneda-Gerês
- Pico, Azores
- Porto Santo, Madeira
- Santa Maria, Azores
- São Jorge, Azores
- São Miguel, Azores
- Serra da Estrela
- Serra da Malcata
- Serras de Aires e Candeeiros
- Terceira, Azores
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books

United Kingdom
2017
- The Wild Guide Portugal
- Hidden Places, Great Adventures and the Good Life Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2017
- Reisgids Wild Guide Portugal | Wild Things Publishing
- Inspirerende gids voor mooie plekken en het goede leven in Portugal. Imagine a summer spent plunging into clear turquoise rivers, playing on hidden beaches, walking in wild flower-strewn cork forests, and tasting wine from boutique vineyards accompanied by the freshest seafood. In this explorer’s compendium you will discover the hidden... Read more

United Kingdom
- Everybody Loves Porto
- Porto has the look of a city that’s had its ups and downs, but its beauty shines through in tile-covered buildings, unaltered shop fronts from decades past and the winding streets that tumble down to the sparkling Duoro river.But more than just elegant decay, it’s also a city in the ascendant, home to new, young businesses providing a fresh... Read more

United Kingdom
2015
- Northern Portugal Sunflower Landscape Guide
- Northern Portugal is the Sunflower Landscapes guide to exploring the best walking and touring possibilities in the region. The guide covers a range of routes including walks in the Serra de Arga region, Sao Miguel, Brufe, Boucas Donas and the Vilar-Avelar circuit. A fold-out touring map at the back of the book shows an overview of northern... Read more

Netherlands
2012
- Natuurgids - Opruiming Walvissen kijken in Europa | KNNV Uitgeverij
- Wat is er mooier dan vanaf een boot een groep dolfijnen te zien opduiken, of de ‘blow’ van een potvis te ontdekken? In Europa zijn verschillende plaatsen waar dat mogelijk is, van Noorwegen tot de Azoren en van Schotland tot de Italiaanse Noordkust. Walvissen kijken in Europa laat u kennismaken met de beste whalewatch-locaties en hun... Read more

United Kingdom
2018
- Walking in Portugal
- 40 graded short and multi-day walks including Serra da Estrela and Peneda Geres National Park Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2018
- Walking in Portugal: 40 graded short and multi-day walks throughout the country
- Portugal is something of an undiscovered gem for hikers, offering beautiful, diverse landscapes and vast amounts of space. Thanks to its variety of micro-climates, it is possible to find pleasant walking conditions in all seasons, and the multitude of trails boast fantastic scenery and are rich in natural, historical and cultural interest.This... Read more

Netherlands
2018
- Walking in Portugal
- Portugal is something of an undiscovered gem for hikers, offering beautiful, diverse landscapes and vast amounts of space. Thanks to its variety of micro-climates, it is possible to find pleasant walking conditions in all seasons, and the multitude of trails boast fantastic scenery and are rich in natural, historical and cultural interest. This... Read more

Belgium
2018
- Walking in Portugal
- Portugal is something of an undiscovered gem for hikers, offering beautiful, diverse landscapes and vast amounts of space. Thanks to its variety of micro-climates, it is possible to find pleasant walking conditions in all seasons, and the multitude of trails boast fantastic scenery and are rich in natural, historical and cultural interest. This... Read more

Netherlands
2018
- Wandelgids Walking in Portugal | Cicerone
- Guidebook describing over 40 walks throughout Portugal. The mainly circular half-day and day routes cover most National and Nature Parks in Portugal including the country's highest peak in Serra da Estrela, as well as visiting traditional stone-built villages and sites of historical interest. Includes background information. Read more

Netherlands
- Portugal
- De Navigator reisgidsen zijn luxe uitgevoerde gidsen, boordevol informatie.ANWB Navigator combineert een glossy uitstraling met een grote toegankelijkheid. Naast traditionele onderwerpen als geschiedenis en bezienswaardigheden biedt ANWB Navigator u nog veel meer.Bijvoorbeeld informatie over shoppen, hoe het openbaar vervoer werkt, foto s van... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Portugal
- De Navigator reisgidsen zijn luxe uitgevoerde gidsen, boordevol informatie.ANWB Navigator combineert een glossy uitstraling met een grote toegankelijkheid. Naast traditionele onderwerpen als geschiedenis en bezienswaardigheden biedt ANWB Navigator u nog veel meer.Bijvoorbeeld informatie over shoppen, hoe het openbaar vervoer werkt, foto s van... Read more

Netherlands
2015
- Portugal Nord
- Atemberaubend sch ne H gel- und Gebirgslandschaften, einsame Hochebenen und tief eingeschnittene Flusst ler. Darin eingebettet sind pittoreske Bergd rfer, auf den Hochweiden vermitteln die eindrucksvollen, aber gutm tigen Cachena-Langhornrinder einen Hauch von Wildwest. Der Norden Portugals ist bis heute ein uriges und nahezu unentdecktes... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Belgium
2015
- Portugal Nord
- Atemberaubend sch ne H gel- und Gebirgslandschaften, einsame Hochebenen und tief eingeschnittene Flusst ler. Darin eingebettet sind pittoreske Bergd rfer, auf den Hochweiden vermitteln die eindrucksvollen, aber gutm tigen Cachena-Langhornrinder einen Hauch von Wildwest. Der Norden Portugals ist bis heute ein uriges und nahezu unentdecktes... Read more

Netherlands
2020
- Wandelgids Portugal Nord - noord | Rother Bergverlag
- Uitstekende wandelgids met een groot aantal dagtochten in dal en hooggebergte. Met praktische informatie en beperkt kaartmateriaal! Wandelingen in verschillende zwaarte weergegeven in rood/blauw/zwart. 176 Seiten mit 103 Farbabbildungen, 50 Höhenprofile, 50 Wanderkärtchen im Maßstab 1:25.000 / 1:50.000, eine Übersichtskarte Das Reiseland... Read more

Netherlands
2018
- Camino Portugues Maps - Sixth Edition
- Spiritual seekers and travelers will find all the resources they need to walk the Way of St. James in this complete set of maps and town plans covering the sacred route from Lisbon, via Porto, to Santiago de Compostella, including the alternate coastal route. For the first time, the 2018 edition also includes a Spiritual Variant and a Littoral... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
2018
- Camino Portugues Maps - Sixth Edition
- Spiritual seekers and travelers will find all the resources they need to walk the Way of St. James in this complete set of maps and town plans covering the sacred route from Lisbon, via Porto, to Santiago de Compostella, including the alternate coastal route. For the first time, the 2018 edition also includes a Spiritual Variant and a Littoral... Read more

Netherlands
2015
- Wandelgids Voetwijzer Noord Portugal | Op Lemen Voeten
- Noord-Portugal hoort tot de mooiste wandelgebieden van Europa. Er is nog veel authentieks te ontdekken, bijvoorbeeld in de vier natuurparken waaronder het bergachtige Peneda Gerês en het Parque de Montesinho, waar nog wolven leven. De 26 wandelingen liggen in een halve cirkel rond de aantrekkelijke havenstad Porto. Ze zijn goed gespreid over de... Read more
Maps

United Kingdom
- Cap de Creus Park Natural Editorial Alpina
- Cap de Creus Natural Park on the Costa Brava at 1:25,000 on a contoured and GPS compatible map from Editorial Alpina, plus a booklet which includes English language descriptions several recommended hiking trails, accommodation details, etc.Topography is presented by contours at10m intervals with relief shading and plenty of spot heights, plus... Read more

United Kingdom
- Moura
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation. The maps have contours at 20m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of terrain or vegetation (sand, terraces, rocks, woodlands,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Portalegre
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation. The maps have contours at 20m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of terrain or vegetation (sand, terraces, rocks, woodlands,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Ferreira do Zezere
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico Português, the country’s civilian survey organisation. The maps have contours at 25m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of vegetation (vineyards, olive groves, etc). Each sheet covers an... Read more

United Kingdom
- Portel
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico Português, the country’s civilian survey organisation. The maps have contours at 25m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of vegetation (vineyards, olive groves, etc). Each sheet covers an... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Portel
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation. The maps have contours at 20m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of terrain or vegetation (sand, terraces, rocks, woodlands,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Castro Verde
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation. The maps have contours at 20m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of terrain or vegetation (sand, terraces, rocks, woodlands,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Miranda do Douro
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico Português, the country’s civilian survey organisation. The maps have contours at 25m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of vegetation (vineyards, olive groves, etc). Each sheet covers an... Read more

United Kingdom
- S. Bras de Alportel
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico Português, the country’s civilian survey organisation. The maps have contours at 25m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of vegetation (vineyards, olive groves, etc). Each sheet covers an... Read more

United Kingdom
- Montalegre
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico Português, the country’s civilian survey organisation. The maps have contours at 25m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of vegetation (vineyards, olive groves, etc). Each sheet covers an... Read more

United Kingdom
- S. Bras de Alportel
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation. The maps have contours at 20m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of terrain or vegetation (sand, terraces, rocks, woodlands,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Arraiolos
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico Português, the country’s civilian survey organisation. The maps have contours at 25m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of vegetation (vineyards, olive groves, etc). Each sheet covers an... Read more

United Kingdom
- Caldas da Rainha
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation. The maps have contours at 20m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of terrain or vegetation (sand, terraces, rocks, woodlands,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Sintra
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico Português, the country’s civilian survey organisation. The maps have contours at 25m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of vegetation (vineyards, olive groves, etc). Each sheet covers an... Read more

United Kingdom
- Aveiro
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:100,000 from the Instituto Geográfico Português, the country’s civilian survey organisation. The maps have contours at 50m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of vegetation (vineyards, olive groves, etc). Each sheet covers... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Aveiro
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation. The maps have contours at 20m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of terrain or vegetation (sand, terraces, rocks, woodlands,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Tavira
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:50,000 from the Instituto Geográfico Português, the country’s civilian survey organisation. The maps have contours at 25m intervals and in addition to the standard features shown on topographic mapping at this scale also indicate various types of vegetation (vineyards, olive groves, etc). Each sheet covers an... Read more