Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
packages (self-guided/group walks from €490/610) in mainland Portugal as well as
Madeira and the Azores.
Another dependable Portuguese outfitter offering guided walks is
A2Z Adventures
(
www.a2zadventures.com
)
.
Ecotourism company Sistemas de Ar Livre (
Click here
)
, in Setúbal, arranges activities
including three-hour guided walks. Also try the following UK-based companies:
ATG Oxford
(
www.atg-oxford.co.uk
) Offers weeklong guided walking holidays between Sintra and Cascais, and also
in the Azores.
Headwater
(
www.headwater.com
) Weeklong jaunts in the Serra da Estrela, Alentejo and Algarve regions.
Ramblers Holidays
(
www.ramblersholidays.co.uk
)
Guided seven- to 10-day walking holidays in the Minho, the Douro
and the Algarve.
VBT Bicycling & Walking Vacations
(
www.vbt.com
) Guided weeklong walking tours in the Douro region.
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Every year thousands of walkers from around the world hike the
Camino de Santiago
, the classic pilgrimage
route from France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. But what if you're already in Portugal? Portuguese pilgrims
have their own route to Santiago, less crowded but just as interesting. Like its sister trail to the north, the
Cam-
inho Português
has multiple starting points, but the best-known section originates in Porto. Information is avail-
able through the
Associação dos Amigos do Caminho Português de Santiago
Information
Many
turismos
and natural-park offices offer free brochures about local walks, although
materials frequently go out of print due to insufficient funding. Other organisations that
produce free maps of their own trails include Odiana in the Algarve and the Centro de In-
terpretaçaõ da Serra da Estrela (CISE) in the Serra da Estrela.
Portugal uses a system of coloured blazes to mark its trails. White and red are the col-
ours of choice for the major multiday trails known as Grandes Rotas, while red and yel-
low blazes indicate Pequenas Rotas (shorter day hikes). Common blaze patterns and their
meanings are outlined here.
