Hiking in Oporto, Portugal

The port city of Oporto or Porto, is better knownThe Douro Valley is very picturesque with rows of
for its fortified wines than its historic port, whichneatly manicured vineyards leading steeply down to
marks the end of the 560-mile-long Duoro River. Thethe riverbank. Although many of the vineyards are
surrounding Douro Valley not only makes for ainaccessible, one of the best ways of visiting the
perfect vineyard, but the hills are one of the bestvalley is by train where, as the train sleepily winds its
places in Portugal for hiking.way through the valley, you are rewarded with
If you are planning a trip hiking in Portugal's Dourofantastic views of the local landscape. An old steam
Valley, then your first stop is likely to be thetrain runs through the vineyards several times a
northern capital of Oporto. The city is an enigma, inweek, during the summer season. However, there is
that it is both heavily industrialised and yet in otheralso the option of a cruise where you can lie back
parts sleepy and steeped in history. The historicand watch the verdant scenery roll past you. The
buildings, such as the cathedral, Romanesque Churchcolour of this scenery changes throughout the year
of Cedofeita and 15th century houses have causedas the vines mature and is at is most beautiful in
the city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage site,spring, when the almond trees in the area are also in
whilst the modern facilities such as the Metro andblossom and the landscape is dotted in pink and
Dom Luis Iron Bridge, engineered by a disciple ofwhite.
Eiffel, have drawn comparisons with similar structuresThe capital of the Douro is not Oporto, as one would
in America and Japan.expect, but Regua, which is also the headquarters of
Before embarking on your Portugal hiking and whilstthe Port Wine Institute. The town is backed by the
still in Oporto, you must visit the Cais De Gaia's WineSerra Do Marao Mountains, which provide some of
Cellars. The views from Cais De Gaia are the best inPortugal's best hiking trails. The town really comes
the city and further enhanced by the old fashionedalive at night when the riverfront bustles with a lively
fishing vessels which bob surreptitiously on the water.selection of bars and restaurants.
The Cais De Gaia is where the majority of theThe nearby town of Villa Nova Foz Coa should also
world's Port is brought to age in the many port winebe visited on your Portugal hiking trip. Villa Nova Foz
warehouses and although not all of them are open toCoa is famous for its 22,000 year old rock paintings
visitors, Taylors and Cockburn's both offer freethat were discovered during the construction of a
guided tours and tasting sessions. If you take a strollnearby dam. As stated earlier,the whole region is
further uphill, you will find a 19th Century Manornow a UNESCO World Heritage Site and definitely
House where yet more port is stored.worth exploring on a Portugal hiking holiday.