9 Walking Tours in Arouca That You Shouldn't Miss

The 8 km route of the Paiva Walkways crosses what has always been one the most remote and inhospitable areas of the valley, the Paiva´s Gorge. Guardian of a singular Biodiversity, this enchanted valley still hides many stories related to its geological formation and the geographical importance that it had in the human occupation of this territory throughout the times. In this tour, we propose a true "journey" in time and in the surrounding landscape. Our local guides, with adequate training, will make you understand the landscape that surrounds you in terms of Biodiversity, Geodiversity, Archeology, Historical-Cultural Aspects and White Water Sports. Since your comfort is important to us, our Walking Tour on the Paiva Walkways includes a picnic with local products, water, juices and a hot drink on cooler days.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Snacks, Coffee and/or Tea, All Fees and Taxes, Interpretative Guide along the walk., Photo Report , Personal Accident Insurance, Ticket to the Paiva Walkways , Private transportation

Exclusions: Typical meal can be reserved under request., Pick-up and drop-off outside Arouca. We can provide it under request.

Walking at more than 1000 meters of altitude by ancestral paths, on this tour you will have the opportunity to discover and understand the main geological phenomenons of the Arouca Geopark. Here, you will be amazed by the beauty of Frecha da Mizarela - the highest waterfall in mainland Portugal, you will understand the phenomenon of Pedras Parideiras (rocks that give birth) which is unique in the World, you will be amazed by the Biodiversity that the rugged relief of the mountain preserved until nowadays, and realize the historical importance of this place through the marks of the ancient human presence in this plateau. A truly mountainous walk, full of historical and landscaping experiences and nature.

Inclusions: Snacks, Bottled water, All Fees and Taxes, Interpretative Guide, Photo Report, Personal Accident Insurance, Private transportation

Exclusions: Typical meal can be reserved under request, Pick-up and drop-off outside Arouca. We can provide it under request

This full day tour will take you to "Arouca Geopark" where the Paiva River flows at the bottom of a glorious valley. The Paiva Walkways or Passadiços do Paiva that follows the river path is our goal. Once there, you will have chance to go for an 8 Km path with one of the best views in our country! After the morning hike head to Alvarenga, a small village famous for having the best meat in Portugal! Upgrade to include lunch and taste the "Posta Arouquesa", a beautiful piece of grilled beef and judge by yourself. Finish the tour with a "Pinguça" tasting (if option selected), a local brand of liquors that will go wonderfully as a digestive.

Inclusions: Local guide (If option Selected), Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Typical Regional Lunch (if option selected), Picnic lunch (if option selected), Tasting of local liquor "Pinguça" (if option selected)

Exclusions: Personal Expenses, Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

You`ll walk along one of the most beautiful walking trails in the world: the Paiva Walkways: a 8 km boardwalk zig-zagging down along the left bank of Paiva river at Arouca Geopark.´ NEW FEATURE: the breathtaking new Suspension Footbridge is open to public! It spans 516m-long across the valley and hangs 175m above the Paiva River. Will you dare? Notice: As some of you may fear heights, crossing the bridge is optional and tickets are very limited and not included. Let us now by message if you wanna cross the bridge. (extra cost of 12€pp). A delicious traditional meal after the walk in a typical restaurant! (vegetarian options available) Afternoon in Aveiro: explore the old quarter, the main squares, the fish market and taste one of city's delicacies: sweet-eggs! Board on a "moliceiro", the traditional river boats, and discover the charming city through the canals. See Costa Nova, the magnificent fishing village with its wooden houses in bright striped colors. Return to Porto

Inclusions: Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Driver/Local guide, Boat ride at Aveiro river canals, Sweet eggs tasting, Traditional lunch, The Paiva Walkways Tickets

Exclusions: Gratuities, Any service that is not clearly specified in the inclusions, The Paiva 516 Footbridge ticket (if available)

The river beach of Espiunca it's located in one of the shores of the Paiva River. This is the starting point for a unique and unforgettable trip.  One of the main points of passage of this watercourse is the municipality of Arouca, where the Passadiços do Paiva were built. This journey of 8 km through nature will certainly please you . The Passadiços do Paiva are located on the left bank of the Paiva River, in Arouca. It is 8 km that provide an "untouched" walk, surrounded by landscapes of unparalleled beauty, in an authentic natural sanctuary, next to descents of wild waters. The route extends between the river beaches of Areinho and Espiunca, between the two, the Vau beach. A journey through biology, geology and archeology that will surely be in the heart, soul and mind of any nature lover. The famous arouquesa steak is served at  Areinho beach, at the end of the walkways. Meat and green wine are the delicious menu.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Lunch, Local guide, Hotel pickup (selected hotels only), Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Private tour

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

Someone nicknamed Aveiro as “the Portuguese Venice”! We prefer to call it the city of Art Nouveau. Aveiro is a city of singular beauty. It is located by the sea and the river, with its canals and the traditional boats called “moliceiros”, fulfill the city with a unique and colorful beauty. Aveiro is charm! The Paiva Walkways is an 8 km boardwalk through ruggedly beautiful scenery in Arouca Geopark. Zig-zagging down rocky hillsides, hugging cliff faces and winding along the left bank of the Paiva river; The Paiva Walkaways were the winner of the World Travel Awards 2016 for the Most Innovative Project in Europe and Europe’s Leading Tourism Development Project 2017. Arouca Geopark is recognized by UNESCO as a Geological Heritage of Humanity

Inclusions: Transport by air-conditioned , Entrance fees to Paiva Walkways, Bottled water, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities (optional)

With a history dating back to pre-national times, Arouca was a territory with its own identity, many centuries before being a county. However, the history of Arouca only gained prominence among other lands, after the foundation and later growth of its Monastery and, above all, after the entrance, in its community of nuns, of D. Mafalda, daughter of the second king of Portugal, D Sancho I. A guided tour of the main points of interest in the historic center of Arouca, such as the Monastery and its rich Sacred Art Museum, the Chapel of Mercy, Plaza Brandão de Vasconcelos and Calvary, offers visitors a journey to comprehend the medieval times, where, in the shadow of a monastery, a noble village was developed.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Conventual Sweets Tasting, All Fees and Taxes, Interpretative Guide, Photo Report, Personal Accident Insurance, Private transportation

Exclusions: Typical meal can be reserved under request, Pick-up and drop-off outside Arouca. We can provide it under request

This tour starts in Regoufe. A remote village in the Arada montain range that during the two World Wars of the last century had a singular importance. From its subsoil, and from the mountains around it were extracted and exported tons of wolfram for the manufacturing of war material for Allied forces. The ruins and the stories of that time are there to be discovered... Going down the mountain, always with the beautiful valley of the Paivô river alongside us, the walk keeps on going until we see Drave. Surrounded by high hills, Drave is indeed a magical place. A mythical, uninhabited village, apparently lost on the Mountain, which can only be reached on foot, along this route. Crossed by the Palhais creek, it offers us dream scenarios that will stay in our memory for a long time. An incursion into the imaginary and history of the rural man of the past centuries.

Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Snacks, Bottled water, All Fees and Taxes, Interpretative Guide along the walk, Photo Report, Personal Accident Insurance, Private transportation

Exclusions: Typical meal can be reserved under request., Pick-up and drop-off outside Arouca. We can provide it under request.

Starting from a picturesque shale village, in one of the deepest valleys of Serra da Arada, we observe the gathering of a community herd of over 600 goats, and then we walk with the Shepherd and his herding dogs up the mountain. The path we follow is magical. Alongside a stream of crystalline waters, through a forest of centenarian chestnut trees, we walk through a valley nestled between high and steep mountains, which gives us that good feeling of smallness towards this magnitude of Nature. Walking in the mountains will make us hungry. So, we stop next to one of the river waterfalls and make a picnic. From here, we return to the village to observe more closely the splendid biodiversity of this remote valley. This tour is an incursion into the nature and authenticity of rural and mountainous life.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Snacks, All Fees and Taxes, Photo Report, Personal Accident Insurance, Private transportation, Interpretative Guide

Exclusions: Typical meal can be reserved under request, Pick-up and drop-off outside Arouca. We can provide it under request