Paiva riverside boardwalk, Arouca, Portugal

Just days after the official opening of the Paiva Walkways boardwalk, a couple of friends and I decided that the 2-hour drive to Arouca Natural Park was worth it based on the photos we’d seen on Facebook. We were not disappointed and, in fact, this walk made it to my top 10 hikes in Portugal!

We’re not the only ones who think it’s impressive – the project has gone on to win the World Travel Awards for four consecutive years.

If boardwalks are your thing, then you must read my Walking The Stunning Passadiços do Mondego In The Serra da Estrela.

No time to read the article but want a Paiva Walkways tour?

You can walk the Paiva Walkway on this small group day trip from Porto (doesn’t include the 516 suspension bridge)

This full day Paiva Walkways tour (from Porto) includes the 516 suspension bridge and a trip to the city of Aveiro

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The Paiva boardwalk is not that easy!

We had been intending to join a group of walkers coming from Porto but in the end, we decided to go it alone. Just as well, really, as we didn’t manage the entire 8 km walkway.

Although some would argue that the Paiva boardwalk has had an overly taming effect on the rugged natural beauty of this part of Arouca Geopark, that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park in terms of effort. Fortunately for us, we started in the tiny village of Espiunca.

I was so busy admiring the view down the river and taking photos that I didn’t see the information board until we got back. If I had been paying more attention, I would have spotted the big hill at the other end. As it was, we merrily walked along, coping easily with a few inclines and stairs and having every intention of reaching the river beach at the other end of the boardwalk.

Map of the Paiva boardwalk
Map of the Paiva boardwalk

That changed shortly after we turned a corner and saw a massive hill. I innocently joked to my friends that we’d have to go over it. Then we turned another corner and saw the boardwalk steadily climbing up said hill.

We began to have our doubts but it wasn’t until the next bend, when we saw the zig zag of steps leading up to the top of the hill, that full realisation hit. Already hot and tired, none of us could face such a steep sweaty climb so we turned around and headed back to the little beach area we’d passed a couple of kilometres previously.

Wooden walkway snaking uphill, Arouca

Wooden walkway snaking uphill, Arouca

Suspension bridge over the River Paiva

Before we could stop for a well earned picnic, there was just one more challenge that needed to be faced.

The wooden suspension bridge.

Dori wimped out but Anne and I bravely walked along the wobbling structure. And back again, because there didn’t seem to be much on the other side and we were hungry.

Almost there. The return journey across the suspension bridge, river Paiva.
Almost there. The return journey across the Paiva suspension bridge

Now that the the new 516 metre suspension bridge has opened, this wooden one seems decidedly wimpy. I’ve yet to see it in person but I’m determined to be brave enough to walk across it.

Refreshing Vau river beach

The tiny, shaded river beach at Vau was reward in itself and a quick paddle proved that the water was warm enough to swim in. Note that there’s a car park just above the track at this point but unless there’s a café further up the road, there are no facilities here so bring your own refreshments.

The river beach at Areínho does have a café if you make it that far.

Unofficial river beach, Paiva boardwalk, Arouca
Unofficial river beach, Paiva boardwalk

Paiva River Boardwalk: The verdict

Even though we didn’t manage the full walk this time around, we were all most impressed and will return for more. The scenery is gorgeous and although the walkway stands out in its newness, it will soon fade in colour and blend into the background.

Now that the new transparent 516 suspension bridge has opened, it’s definitely up there among the best hikes in the world.

The initiative enables visitors to visit parts of the countryside that were only previously accessible by boat and should provide a welcome boost to the local economy. 1.8 million euros well spent, we thought, especially since 85% of it is from EU funds.

There are SOS phones along the route as well as some information panels to help visitors appreciate the geological features and wildlife.

For some reason I don’t understand, a few hundred metres of the route aren’t covered by the walkway – just follow the wooden posts at the side of the dirt track. For this reason alone, you need proper shoes because of the loose stones on the hill and muddy uneven path. Having said that, if you plan to walk the full 16 km round trip, you’ll want decent footwear anyway.

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Paiva River Boardwalk tips

The linear Paiva Boardwalk (a.k.a. Passadiço do Paiva) runs between Espiunca and Areínho via Vau with a big hill at the Areínho end. If you have two cars or are willing to take a taxi back, you could just walk one way. In this case, I’d suggest starting in Areínho to get the hill over and done with while you still have the energy although this is still a challenge for the unfit.

If you don’t want to exert yourself too much, I’d start and finish at Espiunca, turning around once you reach the suspension bridge (about 5 km in) and having a rest at Vau river beach before heading back or just go as far as Vau (4 km) and turn around. This way you don’t have to pay for a taxi to get back to your car (approx €15).

If you plan to to do the full walk in both directions, I think you’d be best off starting in Espiunca to avoid ending with a hill.

Practicalities for the Paiva boardwalk

You’ll need to buy a ticket in advance (€2, from www.paivawalkways.com) as there is a restriction on the number of visitors per day. If you want to walk the 516 suspension bridge, you must buy the ticket online in advance – there is no ticket office on site – and this includes the access to the walkways. If you know you want to walk the bridge, buy that ticket only from 516arouca.pt.

If you don’t have transport, there is a small group tour from Porto that allows you to start the walk in Areínho and picks you up at the end to take you for a lunch that, for meat eaters, includes the local delicacy of succulent Arouca steak. Book the Paiva Walkways tour from Porto

If you want to walk the 516 suspension bridge and also visit the nearby town of Arouca, this small group tour would be the one for you.

If you are driving, be prepared for narrow, winding roads. There are parking facilities in Areínho and Espiunca at the start of the walk. If the space by the bridge in Espiunca is full, you could drive through the village and park near the Junta da Freguesia, just after the church.

There’s a tiny adega (café) near the entrance to the village where you can get light refreshments and use the bathroom before you start walking.

Although some parts of the walkway are shaded, much of it isn’t so you’ll need sun protection as well as sturdy footwear, water and food.

GPS coordinates for Espiunca: 40.992174,-8.215588. Espiunca on Google maps

If you don’t have your own transport while in Portugal, this one day tour from Porto makes it easy for you to get here to do the walk.

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Places to stay in and around Espiunca

This is such a pretty area that I’d like to spend more time there exploring Arouca Geopark and the gorgeous countryside I drove through on the N225. These accommodation options look appealing:

Rio Moment’s – About 5 km from Espiunca, there’s a more upmarket hotel with lovely pool and gardens and more facilities and activities on offer, eg. bike hire, watersports, onsite restaurant and a spa.  There are plenty of room styles to choose from and it’s pet friendly. From about 200 euros.

Quinta de Anterronde – Stay on a 15th century blueberry and kiwi farm with a pool and lovely garden about 7 kilometres from Espiunca. From about 60 euros.

Casa do Paul – Right by the church in Espiunca, this tastefully remodelled schist property offers a 3-bedroom house and duplex studio with simple, clean modern interiors. It’s self catering so do your shopping before arriving as the nearest supermarket is 30 minutes’ drive. From about 70 euros.

9 Comments

  1. Is it fair to say that you can do this walk with regular rubber soled street shoes and do not need hiking shoes?

    Going the uphill route, for someone in pretty good shape, how much time would you say is needed to complete the walk – assuming a normal amount of stopping to enjoy the scenery and take pictures?

    1. Hi Bob, it’s boardwalk pretty much all the way so as long as your shoes are comfortable, you should be fine. As for time, not sure, around 3 hours?

  2. Sounds like fun and your photos show stunning views! We’ll definitely be visiting this and other areas when we return to Portugal this fall. Anita

    1. Author

      You’ll be busy – there are so many stunning places to explore 🙂

  3. This looks like a gorgeous walk. I’d really have to talk myself into crossing that suspension bridge!

    1. Author

      I didn’t think it was too bad, really. I suppose it depends on how sturdy you like the ground beneath your feet to be. It’s a bit wobbly but not exactly swaking in the wind.

  4. Thanks for this, Julie. Diana and I did this walk some years back, before the creation of the walkways and it was pretty long and gruelling, but well worth it. We’ll be back soon to try the new one – and maybe some of the many marked trails in the “conselho” of Arouca.

    1. Author

      Hi Robert, the old PR9 still exists, and crosses paths with the new walkway, I think at the point where the boardwalk has a gap, so your original walk may not have been ‘spoilt’ by this one. I have got a leaflet for the PR9 and it does look quite a challenge! I’d love to check out any easier Arouca walks though – I managed to pick up some trail leaflets from the Arouca Geopark stand at BTL but I’ve yet to try any of them.

Over to you. Please share your thoughts in a comment.