Take an unhurried journey in Portugal’s beautiful, unspoiled historic Alto Minho

Peace, tranquillity and wellbeing –  travel by bicycle or foot in heavenly Peneda-Gerês National Park

Cherished and carefully stewarded unspoiled natural beauty make Alto Minho one of the world’s top 100 sustainable destinations.

Alto Minho shines through its natural beauty. Throughout the territory there are cycling and walking routes that invite you to discover the region. Sea, river, lagoon, mountain, terraced and green align in harmony until we lose sight of the magnificent scenery and become lost in its beauty.

Venture on this discovery and pedal or hike from sea to mountain and you’ll discover a heavenly stronghold filled with pristine hills and delightful surprises including UNESCO World Biosphere reserve – Portugal’s  Peneda-Gerês National Park, the one and only Portuguese National Park.

The Alto Minho landscape has a vibrant green hue. But it is not the only colour of this territory which include the blue of the sea and the waterways, the gold of the corn and the wheat and the stunning rainbows of flowers and vineyards. It’s all there to explore – snaking through the landscape, tracks harmoniously accompany the Minho and Lima rivers and make walking tours easy, giving visitors a unique proximity to the territory that is one of the world’s 2018 Top 100 Sustainable Destinations.

Everyone can discover the Alto Minho through pedestrian paths with different characteristics that adapt to the style and fitness of individual visitors. Embark on a reinvigorating trip through the Soajo and Peneda mountains . You’ll find it difficult to take your eyes off the spectacular landscape, including pasture land, and magnificent views over rolling horizons that have a long historical and geological pedigree. The ruby coloured wines and local dishes constitute a mouthwatering treat.

Visit Alto Minho and your appetite for extraordinary natural beauty will be assuaged on your exploration and your appetite for food and wine may well be ready to do justice to the area’s fabulous food and wine!

If you’re looking for sensational Portugese food and wine then look no further than the Alto Minho! This northerly region is home to the refreshing and summery vinho verde wine, fish straight out of the sea and numerous other tasty delights such as Baccalau salt cod or Caldo Verde rich soup plus a massive array of delicious sweet things!

And it’s sustainable. Alto Minho is a territory of environmental excellence that works towards sustainability. In 2015 it became the only Portuguese subregion fully certified with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism.

This destination includes part of the only National Park in Portugal – the Peneda-Gerês National Park, which is also classified as a World Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. Moreover, two Protected Landscapes (Bertiandos and Corno de Bico), the Litoral Norte Natural Park, the Minho and Coura Estuaries, represent safe havens for several species, like migratory birds. Now almost 30% of Alto Minho is classified as Natura2000 European Union natural park network.

In the 13th century the King, D. Dinis granted special privileges to the local inhabitants, and he made sure that he kept the best for himself – establishing that no nobleman could stay in the village, except in the presence of the King himself, "for any longer than it takes for bread to cool on the point of a lance".

Today, everybody is welcome to enjoy this lovely area and experience archaeology and art, green terraced slopes overlooking crystal clear waters, and a rich and varied gastronomy naturally complemented by the local vinho verde wine!

And you travel during the spring or summer, don’t forget to bring your swimming costume. The wide variety of fresh water streams in the area form beautiful natural lagoons that just sing to to take a dip!

Valere Tjolle

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