Overview
Hike the legendary pilgrim trails of El Camino de Santiago, stay in historic paradors, and soak up the atmosphere of some of northern Spain and Portugal’s most historic towns and villages. With your private guide, you’ll begin in Bilbao, capital of Spain’s Basque country, then head to the pilgrim town of Burgos. As you hike from Burgos to León, crossing thousand-year-old pilgrim trails dotted with Romanesque churches and fields of sunflowers, you’ll be immersed in the lore of El Camino, then enter medieval León on foot, as did pilgrims of yore. As you move into Spain’s remote Sanabria region and closer to Portugal, your hikes bring you through lakeside chestnut forests in a nature reserve. You’ll enter Portugal the WT way—on a hike across the border and into a national park, then by way of the Via Nova, a stone-paved Roman road still marked by many of its original Roman milestones. Your final hike is in the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. Fun options during your journey include bike, boat, and train rides, with a finish in the coastal city of Porto to enjoy its famous Port wine, cobbled-street charm, and dazzling architecture.
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-4
Bilbao, Spain / Burgos to León / Pilgrim Trails of El Camino
From Bilbao on the Basque coast, head to the plains of the Castilian Plateau to hike classic pilgrim trails laced with history. Your route leads through farmlands between the medieval city of Burgos and stunning León, with plenty of art and architecture to be seen along the way. Overnights are in charming Burgos, capital of Old Castile for 500 years, Carrión de los Condes, with its 12th century Romanesque churches, and the engaging pilgrim city of Leon, whose towering Gothic cathedral is one of the finest in Europe. On Day 3, enjoy the option of a boat or bike ride along the Canal de Castilla instead of a hike.
Days 5-6
Sanabria Lake Natural Park / Puebla de Sanabria
Near Spain’s remote border with Portugal, hike in the mountain landscape of Sanabria Lake Natural Park and along the shores of crystal-clear Lago de Sanabria, the largest glacial lake in Spain. Overnights are at a parador in the hilltop village of Puebla de Sanabria, overlooking the Tera River Valley.
Days 8-10
Hike into Portugal / Braga / Douro River Valley / Pinhão / Porto
Hike into Portugal on a trail into Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, Portugal’s only national park, and along the remarkable Via Nova, a stone-paved Roman road. After an overnight in the elegant city of Braga, hike in the idyllic Douro River vineyards, with wine-tasting and lunch at a traditional quinta en route to the lovely town of Pinhão. To get from Pinhão to Porto, choose a scenic train or boat ride along the Douro River. In Porto on the coast, enjoy walking tour of highlights and hidden gems, and depart on Day 10.
Spain to Portugal Private Journey
