Northern Portugal Mountain Paths

The day begins early with breakfast at 8:00 AM, followed by preparing the horses. The adventure starts at 10:00 AM above the medieval Town of Arcos de Valdevez, heading towards the border of Penêda-Geres National Park. Along the way, we will pass castles, mountain plains and the habitat of wild horses. Scenic views of traditional stone villages will be part of the journey. Lunch will be at a local mountain tavern, followed by a horseback ride to explore pre-historic sites.

Next, we will visit the National Park interpretation Center for information about the park and leave the horses to rest in the old forestry nursery fields overnight. Returning to the Equestrian Center, we will have dinner at a typical Portuguese restaurant in Arcos de Valdevez before heading back for a good night's sleep.

Breakfast will be served at 8.00 AM, after which we will head to the horse mount location. We will prepare the horses and set off into the woods of the national park, exploring uphill to reach old pasture fields and the habitat of wild horses. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to observe the wildlife of Penêda-Geres National Park.

Our journey will lead us through natural trails, passing by old commerce routes connecting mountain villages. From an altitude of 1000 meters, we will enjoy unobstructed views of the horizon devoid of human presence. Lunch will be enjoyed near a mountain lake, followed by a descent along the ancient Trail of the Deceased, historically used to transport mountain dwellers to valley cemeteries near the main villages.

Upon reaching the village of Ferreiros, we will house the horses in traditional farmer's residences before returning to the Equestrian Center for a break. In the evening, we will dine at a typical Portuguese restaurant in Arcos before retiring for a restful night.

Wake up and have breakfast at 8:00 AM. We will then head to Ferreiros stables to prepare the horses before starting our journey through the valley countryside's farming fields and oak forests at 10:00 AM. Our route will take us to the shores of the Vez river, where we will follow fisherman trails back to the historic town of Arcos. Lunch will be by the riverside, and depending on the river level, we may cross with the horses or take a detour to the nearest old bridge.

In Arcos de Valdevez, we will explore the old town, including a 17th-century road, while discussing the area's history, architecture and atmosphere. Afterward, we will head back to the Equestrian Center to stable the horses for some rest. You can then relax before enjoying dinner in the evening.

After having breakfast and getting the horses ready, the journey commences towards the woods above the Equestrian Center, which is a protected area known as Corno de Bico. The trails are teeming with forest wildlife, such as wild horses, mountain cows, foxes, wild boars, as well as deer and wolves. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local tavern in a charming village with only 6 houses and 16 residents.

Following lunch, the expedition continues uphill to a vantage point offering breathtaking views of clean air, beautiful skies and the Atlantic coast. The next horse-riding destination is within the heart of the protected landscape of Corno de Bico. Here, we will come across an ancient forestry guard post that once monitored this stunning natural landscape. Descending from the forested area, we will follow a trail leading to the historic village of Bico. The horses will be left in the fields to rest while we return to the Stables at our Quinta for dinner and a peaceful night's sleep.

Wake up and have breakfast at 9:00 a.m. Then, we will head to Bico to fetch our horses from the field and get them ready for our next adventure. Our destination is the protected Natural Reserve at Corno de Bico, where we will explore various trails for a day of discovery. This unforgettable experience includes searching for herds of wild horses and immersing ourselves in the untouched beauty of nature.

We will pack our meals in the saddle bags of the horses and stop for lunch in the picturesque village of Grijo. After exploring the reserve, we will return to Bico to let the horses rest in the field for the night, while we go back to Quinta for a delicious meal and some relaxation.

We wake up to the natural sounds and gather for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. Afterwards, we will go meet the horses and get them ready for the day. Our ride will take us through a stunning landscape along the old forestry guards trail, allowing us to appreciate the well-preserved beauty of the area. We will pass by the shelters of the wild horses, which consist of groups of 50 to 60 trees strategically planted to provide protection for wildlife in extreme weather conditions.

Chances are high that we will encounter the wild horses grazing in their designated pastures as we stop by the water's edge for our packed lunches. This picturesque location is aptly named The Enchanted Forest of Miranda. Following lunch, we will descend towards the Quinta for a leisurely late afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy the pool.

After breakfast, we will say farewell to the horses and place all luggage in the transfer vehicle. 

Depart to (Portuguese airport) Porto or (Spanish) Vigo Airport (both are 100 kilometers away from the Equestrian Center).