In association with: Visit Portugal
From walking and cycling to watersports and even skydiving, there are plenty of adventures to be had
Portugal is a land awash with possibilities when it comes to adventure. From the rolling hills in the north of the country to the golden beaches of the south, visitors can find whatever they are looking for when it comes to the country’s great outdoors.
Capital Lisbon’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean means people can try an array of watersports, including Europe’s only surfing reserve in nearby Ericeira, while walkers and cyclists can enjoy routes along several coastal trails.
The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, lends itself to surfing with its long, sandy beaches, but visitors can also go mountain biking along the 186-mile Via Algarviana or hiking in Ameixial, the site of an annual walking festival each spring. For something a bit different, why not experience the pure adrenaline rush of skydiving from 15,000ft above the stunning Algarve coast.
Take things slowly
For those who want more of a soft adventure, the ‘slow village’ of Aldeia da Pedralva in the Algarve offers several activities that allow visitors to explore nature at their own pace. From the Portuguese section of the Caminho de Santiago to a series of trails in Gerês National Park, hikers are spoilt for choice in the Porto and the North region.
The national park is dotted with pools and waterfalls suitable for swimming, canyoning and kayaking, while the Atlantic coast is ideal for cycling trips. In Arouca, visitors can marvel at incredible backdrops while traversing the Paiva Walkways, while those unafraid of heights can brave a 516-metre suspension bridge over the Paiva River.
Beaches are also plentiful. Espinho and Viana do Castelo are popular with surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers, while Matosinhos is a short bus ride away from central Porto.
Three of the best walks in Portugal
1. Via Geira
This ancient trail in Porto and the North’s Gerês National Park follows a series of original Roman milestones alongside the Homem River, taking in the wonderous Mata da Albergaria Forest as part of an enjoyable descent.
2. Sanctuary of Peninha
Visitors can trek more than three miles up to the 17th-century Sanctuary of Peninha, in the picturesque town of Sintra, about 15 miles outside of Lisbon, for stunning views of the countryside.
3. Seven Hanging Valleys
Waves crashing against wind-carved arches and colourful rock formations are among the sights to be enjoyed on this three-anda- half-mile coastal route in the Algarve. The Alfanzina lighthouse is a highlight, while Marinha beach is perfect for a post-walk dip.
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Sergiy Zavgorodny, Sergio GB
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