Donkey trekking in Serra d’Arga, Portugal
The Serra d’Arga gets few visitors, so you have a chance to discover this hidden part on Northern Portugal. In Serra de Arga you will find traditional villages, rural agricultural practices, wild horses and stunning views across to the coast and the mountains of Peneda Gerês National Park.
This donkey trekking is suitable for adults and for families, children can ride a donkey during the trekking.
Duration: 3 days
Departure: march 1 - november 15
Price: for 2 adults 353,00 eur per person in double room / for 2 adults + 1 child 324,00 eur per adult, 118,00 eur per child / for 2 adults + 2 children 353,00 eur per adult, 176,00 eur per child
- 2 overnights in a guesthouse with breakfast
- Local maps and information materials
- Rental Garmin GPS device with GPS routes for each day
- 2-day donkey rental
- Saddle bags for the donkey
- Local assistance
- costs of transportation for getting to Serra d’Arga
- lunches and dinners
- insurance
- anything not mentioned under “the price includes”
Itinerary
Arrival in Serra D’Arga (Montaria, Viana do Castelo)
Our local representative will meet you in Montaria village for the check-in at your accommodation and to show you the village and your donkey. Overnight at Serra de Arga Mountain House.
The wildlife in the mountain plateau of Serra D’Arga
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 530 | 530 | 4 |
You will meet your donkey and be shown how to handle and look after him during the walk. Then we will set off for a hike through ancient paths used by local shepherds to reach the plateau of Serra D’Arga. There, you will be able to see the garrano – wild horses but also different interesting kinds of fauna and flora typical for Serra D’Arga. Garrano wild horse is a quite rare Portuguese breed which you can find only in Serra D’Arga and in the Peneda Gerês National Park, the two main wild areas in Portugal.
Overnight at Serra de Arga Mountain House.
Option A: easy walk – 6 km, approximate walking time – 4 hours (up: 530 m / down: 530 m)
Option B: moderate walk with the opportunity to climb to the top of Serra D’Arga (825m) – 17 km, approximate walking time 6 hours (up: 768 m / down: 768 m).
Montaria Watermills
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 303 | 303 | 4 |
This walk will take you all around the River Âncora. You will walk along the water pipes that carry water from the river and take it into the corn fields and the watermills. Afterwards, you will arrive to the main square of Montaria with bars and restaurants where you can do a stop for some drink or food. During this trekking you will pass through many different landscapes, the banks of the Ancora River and the mountain areas with wonderful panoramic views over Montaria village and the whole Ancora Valley.
