2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

HANS-GEORG EIBEN SIMON DANNHAUER

BRIAN MCGILLOWAY

Experience Portugal’s beauty on great hikes and enjoy port tastings and wonderful countryside accommodations. JACK MALIPAN

Hiker’s Journey to Portugal PILGRIM TRAILS, SLATE VILLAGES, CASTLE TOWNS, AND DOURO VALLEY VINEYARDS

Portugal has gorgeous rural landscapes, from rolling vineyards and lush mountains to meandering rivers, including the renowned Douro. Our trails bring us across the rock-built Aldeias de Gois villages, through the terraced Douro wine country, into the forests of

as Aldeias de Gois. We’ll hike the traditional path from village to village to soak up views of the deep green valleys spread below. In the Serra da Estrela, our trails contour below the rock towers of the glacier-carved Zêzere Valley. Days 5-7 Belmonte / Douro Wine Tasting / Pinhão / Peneda-Gerês Castle-topped Belmonte’s medieval Jewish Quarter is fascinating to explore, and we view the Paleolithic paintings in the Côa Valley. A rail journey along the tranquil Douro River brings us to lovely Pinhão, and we hike across a dreamscape of Douro Valley vineyards to the family-owned Quinto do Crasto wine estate. In Peneda-Gerês National Park, with its craggy peaks and wild horses, we may encounter goat herders and their trusty castro laboreiro sheepdogs. Days 8-12 The Pilgrim Trail / Ponte de Lima / Porto An ancient pilgrim trail leads us to the revered sanctuary at Peneda, with its staircase adorned with statues representing faith, love, and charity, and we visit charming Ponte de Lima. Our last hike is across the Camino Portugués, which has brought pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela since medieval times. We end our journey in Porto, exploring the historic quarter and listening to soulful fado songs. Depart on Day 12.

HIGHLIGHTS • Explore from Lisbon to Porto, tasting port wines and vinhos verdes • Hike among the slate villages of the Serra da Lousã and on the famed Camino Portugués, a medieval pilgrim trail • Meet a Douro Valley vintner, ride the Linha do Douro (Portugal’s historic river-hugging train), discover castle- topped towns • Enjoy unique lodgings, including a traditional spa hotel, a converted pilgrimage hostel, and a 17th century manor house DETAILS • 12-day trip begins in Lisbon and ends in Porto • 11 nights charming accommodations • All meals included except 2 lunches and 2 dinners

Peneda-Gerês National Park, and even along sections of the famed Camino Portugués pilgrim route. We balance our hiking with cultural experiences along the way, tasting wine in a family-owned quinta, exploring 13th century castle towns, and sampling regional cuisine and velvety port wines. We end in Porto, a World Heritage

“This trip was amazing—the varied hikes, accommodations, and food—we had a new surprise around every corner!” Joni H., Evergreen CO

DATES Apr 21-May 2, 2020 Sep 8-19 May 16-27 Oct 5-16 Jun 6-17

Site of centuries-old lanes and classic wine cellars. Our lodging includes a former wine warehouse in picturesque Pinhão and the 17th century Paço de Calheiros, where we are welcomed by the Count of Calheiros himself. Days 1-4 Serra da Lousã / Serra da Estrela From Lisbon, we head into the Serra da Lousã mountains and to the slate-roofed villages known

TRIP COST $5695 (10-15 members) $6195 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $820

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 + 4 5 6 9 hiking days on moderate to strenuous trails (some steep sections), 3-6 hours a day with two longer days, van support

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS, VISIT WWW.WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/EUROPE 58