Traveling with Purpose: Nature and Parks in Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

If there is a place in Portugal where it is still possible to hear only silence — interrupted by the wind through chestnut trees, the cry of an eagle, or the sound of water in a mountain stream — that place is Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro.

This territory in northeastern Portugal holds one of the largest concentrations of protected nature in the country: three natural parks, a UNESCO global geopark, and vast areas integrated into the Natura 2000 network. For those who want to travel with purpose—in real contact with nature, far from mass tourism—it is a destination that still surprises [1].

And among the trails and valleys, the centuries-old olive trees that produce the Trás-os-Montes DOP olive oil remind us that here nature and culture have always gone hand in hand.

What to Expect: Wild Nature in the Heart of Portugal

Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (TMAD) is a region of contrasts. The cold lands of the north, where the mountains snow, coexist with the hot, dry valleys of the Douro, where almond trees, vineyards, and olive groves grow. It is this contrast of landscapes and climates that makes the biodiversity here so rich and surprising [2].

The region has three nationally protected areas — the Montesinho Natural Park, the Douro Internacional Natural Park, and the Vale do Tua Regional Natural Park — and the Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark, recognized by UNESCO in 2015. All of them are interconnected by a network of trails, viewpoints, and villages that make each visit a genuine discovery [1,2].

1. Montesinho Natural Park — The Cold Land that Protects Wolves and Deers

Municipalities: Bragança and Vinhais

With approximately 75,000 hectares, the Montesinho Natural Park is one of the largest natural parks in Portugal. Created in 1979, it extends across the north of the municipalities of Bragança and Vinhais, bordering Spain — and the Sierra de la Culebra Natural Reserve, on the other side of the border [3].

The fauna is what most surprises those who come here. The park concentrates 80% of the mammals present in Portugal, with a population of Iberian wolf, red deer, roe deer, otters and wild boar [3,4]. The spectacle of the Deer Rutting, which takes place between September and October, is one of the most impressive natural phenomena in the country — the males bellowing in the middle of the forest, at dawn, is something unforgettable [4].

Chestnut trees are another hallmark: the municipality of Bragança is the largest producer of chestnuts in Portugal, and the chestnut groves surrounding the villages in the park are covered in gold in the autumn [2,3].

What to do:

The schist and granite villages are gateways to nature. Rio de Onor is bisected by the border with Spain, with the river of the same name as the dividing line — it is one of the most unique places in Portugal [2,4]. Montesinho has an Interpretive Center and a museum in a typical Transmontane house [3]. Gimonde, near Bragança, is the starting point for several marked trails, including the popular PR4 BGC – Ornal Hiking Trail (8 km, circular), which follows the Ornal stream and the Baceiro river through landscapes of great beauty [4].

In Vinhais you will find the Vinhais Biological Park, with enclosures for native animals, interpretive trailsvos e alojamento em bungalows de madeira ou pods junto a uma piscina biológica [2].

2. Douro International Natural Park — The Grand Canyon of Europe

Municipalities: Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro, Freixo de Espada à Cinta

If you have a preference for dramatic landscapes, the Douro International Natural Park will impress you from the very first bend in the road. The Douro cliffs — vertical escarpments that can reach hundreds of meters — create one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Iberian Peninsula [5].

The park, created in 1998, covers approximately 87,000 hectares along 122 km of the border section of the Douro River. On the Spanish side lies the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, and together they form one of the largest transboundary reserves in the Iberian Peninsula [5,6].

The birds of prey are a highlight. The Egyptian Vulture (the park's symbol), the Griffon Vulture, the Golden Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, the Black Stork, and the Peregrine Falcon nest on the Douro cliffs. For birdwatching enthusiasts, this is one of the best prey observation destinations in Portugal [5,7].

What to do:

The Penedo Durão viewpoint, near Mogadouro, is probably the most famous observation point in the park: it has a prey feeder that attracts griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures and eagles very close to visitors [6,8]. The Carrascalinho viewpoint, near the village of Fornos, is less frequented and offers an even more intense feeling of communion with nature [6].

From the Congida Quay, in Miranda do Douro, panoramic boats depart along the International Douro River — one of the best ways to appreciate the vertical cliffs and the fauna that nests on their walls. The trip takes about an hour and a half [6].

Miranda do Douro is much more than just the starting point for the park: it's a medieval city with a 16th-century cathedral, the famous Menino Jesus da Cartolinha (Little Jesus with a Top Hat), and its own language — Mirandese, officially recognized as the second language of Portugal since 1999 [6]. A visit to the historic center is well worth an afternoon.

Between February and March, the almond groves in bloom transform the landscape of the Mirandese plateau into a spectacle of white and pink that attracts photographers from all over the country [6].

3. Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark — The Navel of the World

Municipality: Macedo de Cavaleiros

There are places that hold secrets from 400 million years ago. The Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark is one of them. Recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015, it covers the 700 km² of the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros and is almost entirely integrated into the Natura 2000 Network [9,10].

What makes this territory truly unique is its geology. Here are four geosites of international relevance — among the 42 identified in the geopark — that document the collision of continents prior to Pangea and the disappearance of the Rheic Ocean, the "father" of our Atlantic [10,11]. It is said, without exaggeration, that Macedo de Cavaleiros is one of the "navels of the world" [11].

On Monte de Morais, a flattened elevation at 750 meters altitude, the rocks tell us the story of two ancient continents that collided hundreds of millions of years ago. At Poço dos Paus, in the village of Chacim, you can touch rocks similar to those found in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean—geological monuments with information plaques accessible to any visitor [10,11].

What to do:

The geopark has 24 marked hiking trails, totaling approximately 200 km of paths [12]. The Protected Landscape of the Azibo Reservoir, between the Nogueira and Bornes mountain ranges, is one of the region's highlights: award-winning river beaches, nautical activities, and natural beauty that National Geographic has already included in its nature itineraries in Portugal [13]. Fraga da Pegada Beach is one of the 50 suggestions in the special edition of National Geographic Travel [13].

The Santa Combinha Biodiversity Station allows you to observe 43 species of diurnal butterflies — out of the 135 known in mainland Portugal — in a space that is both educational and simply beautiful [12].

Azeite a Norte Tip: Macedo de Cavaleiros is also home to the Caretos de Podence — the masked figures of Carnival that are UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. But that's another story we've already told here on the blog.

4. Tua Valley Regional Natural Park — The River that Shapes the Landscape

Municipalities: Alijó, Murça, Vila Flor, Carrazeda de Ansiães and Mirandela

The Tua River originates from the confluence of the Rabaçal and Tuela rivers and runs through one of the most diverse landscapes in northeastern Portugal before flowing into the Douro River. The Tua Valley Regional Natural Park, created in 2013, protects approximately 25,000 hectares across the five municipalities through which the river passes [14,15].

Unlike other TMAD parks, the Tua Valley is a transition zone: to the north, the cool climate of the Trás-os-Montes region and oak forests; to the south, the influence of the Douro, with cork oaks, vineyards, and olive groves. In Vila Flor and Carrazeda de Ansiães, the proximity of the Douro Wine Region is already felt [16].

What to do:

The Vilarinho das Azenhas – Ribeirinha route, in Vila Flor, is one of the flattest and greenest in the valley — an old dirt road alongside the wild river and the disused railway line, which today is a riverside sanctuary of rare beauty [16,17].

In Murça, the wooden walkways that follow the Tinhela river allow for a walk in direct contact with nature: riparian galleries of alders and willows, clear waters where the otter lives, and the almost absolute silence of a valley that seems to belong to another time [16,17].

The Castro de Palheiros, also in Murça, is a viewpoint and archaeological site simultaneously: a proto-historic promontory with 360° views over the valley and the Garraia and Passos mountains [16].

In Mirandela, the Tua Station has the Tua Valley Interpretive Center (CIVT), housed in the former CP warehouses, which tells the story of the Tua Line, the valley and the dam with a contemporary and sensitive approach to the territory [18].

Azeite a Norte Tip: The olive groves of Murça, Alijó and Mirandela produce some of the most renowned Trás-os-Montes PDO olive oils. The Tua valley is an invitation to discover how water, sun and rock shape not only the landscape, but also the flavor of the olive oil.

Practical Tips for Traveling Through TMAD Parks

How to get there: A car is essential — most trails, villages, and viewpoints don't have regular public transport. The A4 (Porto–Bragança) is the main access route to the northeast.

When to go: Spring (March to May) is the best time — the fields bloom, the rivers swell, and the light is extraordinary. Autumn (September to November) is equally spectacular, especially in Montesinho Park with the rutting of the deer and the chestnuts [3,4]. Winter has its own charm, with snow in the mountains and almond trees in bloom on the Mirandese plateau from February onwards [6].

What to bring: Hiking shoes with good support, layers of clothing (temperature contrasts are significant), binoculars for birdwatching, and water — especially in the warmer months.

Nature and Olive Oil: A Connection That Lasts for Centuries

There is no Trás-os-Montes landscape without olive trees. The same mountains where the Iberian wolf hunts and the Egyptian vulture soars are bordered by centuries-old olive groves that produce the Trás-os-Montes PDO olive oil — green, spicy, intense, made from varieties such as Cobrançosa, Verdeal Transmontana and Madural [3,5].

Traveling purposefully in this region also means getting to know the producers, visiting an olive mill during the harvest (October to December), and realizing that the olive oil that reaches your table was born here, in this land of contrasts and silences.

Discover the producers, accommodations and experiences that connect nature to olive oil at Azeite a Norte.

Useful Informations

Montesinho Natural Park

• icnf.pt | Headquarters: Bragança

• Trails: alltrails.com/parque-natural-montesinho

Douro International Natural Park

• Headquarters: Miranda do Douro

• Boat trips (Congida Quay): +351 273 431 132

Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark

• geoparkterrasdecavaleiros.com | +351 917 859 608

• Headquarters: Macedo de Cavaleiros

Vale do Tua Regional Natural Park

• valetua.pt

• Vale do Tua Interpretive Center (CIVT): Mirandela

References

[1] ICNF – Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas. Áreas Protegidas – Parques Naturais. Disponível em: https://www.icnf.pt/conservacao/rnapareasprotegidas/parquesnaturais

[2] Turismo de Portugal – Visit Portugal. Parque Natural de Montesinho. Disponível em: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/156083

[3] A. Montesinho. Montesinho Natural Park – The Region. Disponível em: https://amontesinho.pt/en/the-region/montesinho-natural-park/

[4] Eixo Atlántico. Montesinho Natural Park – Resources. Disponível em: https://vive.eixoatlantico.com/en/recurso/parque-natural-de-montesinho-2/

[5] ICNF – Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas. Parque Natural do Douro Internacional. Disponível em: https://www.icnf.pt/conservacao/rnapareasprotegidas/parquesnaturais/pndourointernacional

[6] Turismo de Portugal – Visit Portugal. Parque Natural do Douro Internacional. Disponível em: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/156080

[7] ICNF / MSN Portugal. Projeto HabDouro – Recuperação de espécies e habitats ameaçados no Parque Natural do Douro Internacional. Disponível em: https://www.msn.com/pt-pt/noticias/ultimas/icnf-recupera-espécies-e-habitats-ameaçados-no-parque-natural-do-douro/ar-BB1dhGhg

[8] Liga para a Protecção da Natureza (LPN). Rota pelo Geoparque Terras de Cavaleiros e Parque Natural do Douro Internacional. Disponível em: https://www.lpn.pt/pt/noticias/rota-pelo-geoparque-terras-de-cavaleiros-e-parque-natural-do-douro-internacional

[9] Turismo de Portugal – Visit Portugal. Geopark Terras de Cavaleiros. Disponível em: https://www.visitportugal.com/pt-pt/content/geopark-terras-de-cavaleiros

[10] Wikipédia. Geopark Terras de Cavaleiros. Disponível em: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geopark_Terras_de_Cavaleiros

[11] O Berço do Mundo. Macedo de Cavaleiros – Trilhos, geossítios e caretos. Disponível em: https://bercodomundo.com/2021/07/macedo-de-cavaleiros.html

[12] Terras de Trás-os-Montes. Geopark Terras de Cavaleiros. Disponível em: https://www.terrasdetrasosmontes.pt/pages/1036/?geo_article_id=5281

[13] VagaMundos. Macedo de Cavaleiros – Roteiro Geopark e Azibo. Disponível em: https://www.vagamundos.pt/visitar-macedo-de-cavaleiros/

[14] Parque Natural Regional do Vale do Tua – Página Oficial. Percursos Pedestres. Disponível em: http://parque.valetua.pt/percursos/

[15] Ambitur. Percursos Pedestres são produto âncora do Parque Natural Regional do Vale do Tua. Disponível em: https://www.ambitur.pt/percursos-pedestres-sao-produto-ancora-do-parque-natural-regional-do-vale-do-tua/

[16] VagaMundos. Visitar o Parque Natural Vale do Tua – Roteiro, Miradouros e Trilhos. Disponível em: https://www.vagamundos.pt/visitar-vale-do-tua-roteiro/

[17] AllTrails. Parque Natural Regional do Vale do Tua – Trilhos. Disponível em: https://www.alltrails.com/pt-br/parques/portugal/porto--2/parque-natural-regional-do-vale-do-tua

[18] Câmara Municipal de Mirandela. Rede de Percursos Pedestres do PNRVT. Disponível em: https://www.cm-mirandela.pt/pages/892?news_id=413