From the wild granite mountains of Peneda-Gerês in the north to the sun-baked cliffs of the Algarve in the south, Portugal offers an extraordinary variety of walking landscapes across its national and nature parks, ancient schist villages, glacial valleys, and dramatic Atlantic coastline. Thanks to its mild climate, it is one of the few European destinations where you can find pleasant walking conditions at almost any time of year, making it ideal for walkers of every ability and ambition.

This trusted Cicerone guidebook by Andrew Mok and Simon Whitmarsh covers 40 walks across Portugal, from north to south, with routes ranging from 5 to 46km (3 to 29 miles) and taking between 2 and 11 hours. It pairs clear, walk-by-walk route descriptions with practical planning information to help you make the most of every corner of this wonderfully varied country.

• The 40 walks are graded from easy to challenging and organised by region, from Peneda-Gerês National Park and Montesinho Nature Park in the north, through Serra da Estrela and the schist villages near Coimbra, to Monsaraz, Évora, and the Algarve, so you can plan a tour of Portugal's walking highlights or focus on a single region
• Clear, step-by-step route descriptions are illustrated with 1:50,000 maps for every walk, with information on refreshments, access, and parking to help you arrive prepared and navigate with confidence
• Downloadable GPX files enable easy digital navigation on GPS devices or smartphone apps, so you can savour the solitude of Peneda-Gerês or the dramatic glacial scenery of the Zêzere Valley without worrying about the route
• Detailed background notes cover Portugal's geology, history, wildlife, plants, and agriculture alongside practical advice on getting there, travelling around, where to stay, and what to eat, giving you rich context for everything you encounter on the trail
• The two longest routes include options for overnight stops, making them ideal for walkers who want to extend their adventure into a short multi-day trek through Portugal's most spectacular landscapes

Together, the graded route descriptions, 1:50,000 maps, GPX downloads, and country-wide coverage make this the definitive Cicerone guide to day walking in Portugal. Explore the best of this sun-drenched, trail-rich country with confidence.

Walking in Portugal - Quick Facts

Regions covered: Northern Portugal, Central Portugal, Lisbon area, Southern Portugal (Algarve) 
Walk format: 40 graded day walks and short multi-day routes 
Walk distances: 5 to 46km (3 to 29 miles) per walk 
Walk duration: 2 to 11 hours per walk 
Multi-day options: Two of the longest routes include optional overnight stops 
Main areas: Peneda-Gerês National Park, Montesinho Nature Park, Alvão Nature Park, Douro International Nature Park, Serra da Estrela Nature Park, schist villages near Coimbra, Lisbon, Tejo and São Mamede Nature Parks, Monsaraz and Évora, the Algarve and Costa Vicentina 
Terrain: Mountain paths, glacial valleys, Atlantic coastline, river gorges, ancient villages, nature reserves 
Difficulty: Easy to challenging, with routes suitable for family walks through to strenuous mountain hikes 
Navigation: Waymarked paths; 1:50,000 maps and GPX files included 
Highlights: Serra da Estrela (Portugal's highest peak), Peneda-Gerês National Park, Cabo de São Vicente, Odeceixe beach, Zêzere Valley glacial scenery, Marvão, Rota das Cascatas waterfalls, traditional schist villages 
Best season: Year-round walking is possible; spring and autumn are ideal for most regions; summer suits northern and highland areas; winter suits the Algarve 
Getting there: Fly to Lisbon, Porto, or Faro; good public transport and road connections to most regions

Author Highlight

“Why go walking in Portugal? This delightful country enchanted two self-confessed walking addicts so much that after just a short visit, we were captivated, returning again and again. There are so many reasons to fall in love with this relatively undiscovered gem of a country. The diverse terrain includes the rugged north with a multitude of mountains, many higher than Ben Nevis, and the beautiful Douro valley. Further south, the Serra da Estrela mountain range provides alpine, snow-capped peaks and plateaux.”

- Simon Whitmarsh, one of the authors of Walking in Portugal

Overview map

Map key

Preface


Introduction

About Portugal

Geology

History

Wildlife

Plants and flowers

Agriculture

Weather

When to go

Getting there

Traveling around

Where to stay

Food and drink

Equipment

Waymarking

Maps

Water

Emergencies and safety

Using this guide


Northern Portugal

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Walk 1 Caminho dos Mortos, Real

Walk 2 Trilho Castrejo, Castro Laboreiro

Walk 3 Peneda circuit

Walk 4 Pertinho do Ceu, Gavieira

Walk 5 Bicos and Pedrada

Walk 6 Pitões das Júnias and Capela de São João da Fraga

Walk 7 Minas dos Carris, Portela de Homem

Walk 8 Gerês circuit

Walk 9 Águia do Sarilhão and Via Nova, Campo do Gerês
Walk 10 Trilho dos Currais, Vila do Gerês

Montesinho Nature Park

Walk 11 Trilho da Calçada, Moimenta

Walk 12 Montesinho summits

Around Alvão Nature Park   

Walk 13 Senhora da Graça, Mondim de Basto

Walk 14 Marão summit

Douro International Nature Park

Walk 15 Azeite, Bruçó

Walk 16 Ribeira do Mosteiro


Central Portugal and Lisbon

Schist villages

Walk 17 Schist villages of Lousã

Walk 18 Caminho do Xisto das Aldeias de Góis and Lousã summit

Walk 19 Trilho do Vale do Ceira, Cabreira

Serra da Estrela Nature Park

Walk 20 Sol and Rota das Faias, Manteigas

Walk 21 Rota do Carvão, Manteigas

Walk 22 Javali and Poço do Inferno, Manteigas

Walk 23 Rota do Glaciar, Torre–Manteigas

Walk 24 Poios Brancos, Manteigas

Around Lisbon

Walk 25 Castelejo, Alvados

Walk 26 Chãos

Walk 27 Peninha

Walk 28 Cabo Espichel, Arrábida

Tejo and São Mamede Nature Parks

Walk 29 Rota dos Abutres, Salvaterra do Extremo

Walk 30 GR29 Rota dos Veados

Walk 31 Marvão

Monsaraz and Évora   

Walk 32 Évora aqueduct and Ecopista

Walk 33 Monsaraz


Southern Portugal

The Algarve, Costa Vicentina and Guadiana

Walk 34 Odeceixe beach circuit   

Walk 35 Cabo de São Vicente

Walk 36 Rota das Cascatas, Monchique

Walk 37 Trilho da Fóia, Monchique

Walk 38 Pulo do Lobo, Guadiana

Walk 39 GR23

Walk 40 Serra do Caldeirão, Parizes


Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Contacts

Appendix C Language

Seasons

With such a variety of micro-climates, it is possible to find pleasant walking weather at any time of the year.

Centres

Peneda-Gerês National Park; Montesinho Nature Park; Alvão Nature Park; Douro International Nature Park; schist villages near Coimbra; Serra da Estrela Nature Park; Lisbon; Tajo and São Mamede Nature Parks; Monsaraz and Évora; the Algarve, Costa Vicentina and Guadiana

Difficulty

The routes allow for differing levels of ability, and range from shorter walks suitable for a relaxing family stroll to strenuous mountain hikes and challenging multi-day long-distance paths.

Must See

Fantastic views from Candeeiros summit; historic Marvão; Odeceixe beach; the dramatic glacial scenery of the Zêzere Valley; solitude and nature in Peneda-Gerês National Park; waterfalls on Rota das Cascatas

February 2026

Damage to paths as a result of severe storm in February 2026

August 2023

Maps

August 2023

Walks 7 and 8

January 2022

2022 reprint route updates

November 2020

Book updates

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