I first wrote this packing list after my early Caminos and I’ve updated it several times since. What I pack now is quite different from what I thought I needed back then. After walking the Central, Coastal and Litoral routes, I’ve become much less attached to the idea that youRead More →
If you’re trying to decide whether the Central Portuguese Camino from Porto is the right route for you, this guide will help you understand what it’s actually like to walk. I’ve walked the Central route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, as well as the Coastal Camino, Litoral Way andRead More →
As a leisure activity, hiking in Portugal has become much more popular in the last few years. When I first moved here, it was mainly foreigners who went for long walks just for fun. Nowadays, there are more Portuguese hikers out and about and lots of visitors are keen toRead More →
I get lots of enquiries from people who are interested in hiking in the Douro Valley. After all, it’s a stunning part of Portugal with its ever-changing mosaic of terraced vineyards, olive groves and small villages. When the weather is not at its extremes, exploring this region on foot canRead More →
On my first trip to the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG) several years ago, the weather was too bad for the full day hike I had organised. Instead, I ended up doing an introductory driving tour of its rugged landscapes with some short sections of walking trails. As a taster, this experienceRead More →
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 myRead More →
