Blog Ideias de Viagem

Rail Trails in Portugal

Por We Love Small Hotels

Best Rail Trails in Portugal

The first train ride in Portugal took place in 1856 and made a trip between Lisbon and Carregado. Since then the railway lines quickly spread across the country. Today the rail network extends across the territory, linking the various cities from north to south.

There are, however, rails in Portugal where trains no longer run. Technological developments have caused some of the old lines to be deactivated, and these have given way to walking or cycling routes, allowing you to discover incredible places where trains once passed.

These rail trails have been rehabilitated so that you can enjoy the tranquillity and natural landscape as you cross mountains, forests, rivers, old train stations and typical villages.

Discover two of these rail trails in Portugal:

- Close to Porto, pedal next to the river Tâmega and be dazzled by the diversity of the landscape along the way

This old railway line was deactivated in 1990 and follows the Tâmega river for 39 km. Throughout the rail trail it's possible to observe the green landscapes resulting from vineyards and forests and pass by disabled stations and monuments that once were built there.

At the end of this rail trail you will have the comfort of Solar Egas Moniz Charming House in Penafiel, the land of green wines.

- Up north, discover the charming village of Ponte de Lima by bike

In the north of Portugal, the charming city of Ponte de Lima awaits you to go through the several rail trails spread across the city, all of them through idyllic scenarios, among mountains, forests, rivers and typical villages. Pedal calmly by the rail trail that extends along the river Lima so that you can enjoy the silence and the natural landscape that makes this rail trail one of the most beautiful ones of the country.

Be sure to visit the village centre, surrounded by a medieval wall and overlooking the river. If you cross the medieval bridge, you should see the two banks of the river. When feeling tired, retire to Carmo's Boutique Hotel, a fabulous boutique hotel where you can taste the flavours of the region and sleep in a luxury tent overlooking Minho mountain range.