8 jours randonnée équestre sauvage en Alto Minho, nord du Portugal

Day 1: Saturday

Welcome at the airport and then transfer by car / minibus from Porto (Portugal) or Vigo (Spain) to the Equestrian Center located in Arcos de Valdevez. Upon arrival to the Equestrian Center, you will tour the stables and will meet all the horses. After settling into your comfortable accommodations, you will establish our dinner time.

Day 2: Sunday

The day starts early, and breakfast is served at 08.00, followed by horse preparation. You will begin the adventure at 10:00, starting just above the medieval Town of Arcos de Valdevez. The journey crosses the area towards the direction of the border of Penêda-Geres National Park. You will see castles, view mountain plains, and discover where the wild horses live. There will be amazing landscapes of old traditional stone mountain villages along the way. Lunch will be at a local mountain tavern, followed by a horse-riding trail that leads to pre-historical remains of old civilizations.

Afterwards, the tour will lead to the National Park interpretation Center. The Center provides all the information about the park. This location is also the place where you will leave the horses resting overnight. They will be kept in the old forestry nursery fields. You will then travel back to the Equestrian Center; after a rest, depart to have dinner at a typical Portuguese restaurant in Arcos de Valdevez. Following dinner, return for a good night’s rest.

Day 3: Monday

Breakfast will be served at 08.00. You will transfer to the horse mount location. Quinta do Dijo will prepare the horses and depart into the woods of the national park. The exploration will take you uphill to plains of old pasture fields and the home of wild horses. You can view the wildlife of Penêda-Geres National Park along the way.

Your journey continues along trails of natural scenery through the day. You will ride through old commerce trails between mountain villages. The views will be from 1000 meters of altitude where the horizon is free from human presence. Lunch takes place near a mountain lake and is followed by a journey that takes you down to the ancient Trail of the Deceased (used in ancient times to take the mountain people back down to the bottom-of-the valley cemeteries, near the main mountain villages).

After arrival at the village of Ferreiros, you will stable the horses in the old farmers houses and transfer back to the Equestrian Center for a rest. You will depart for dinner at a typical Portuguese restaurant at Arcos and then return for a good night’s rest.

Day 4: Tuesday

Awaken and enjoy breakfast at 08.00. You will transfer to Ferreiros stables, prepare the horses, and at 10:00 you will begin the journey along the valley countryside’s farming fields and oak forests. You will arrive at the Vez river shores and follow the fisherman trails back down to the historical town of Arcos. Your lunch will be on the riverside. Depending on the river level, you may cross the river with the horses or make a detour to the nearest old bridge.

In Arcos de Valdevez, you will tour the old town, which includes a 17th century road. The history, architecture, and spirit of the area will be discussed. You will depart to the Equestrian Center and then stable the horses to rest. You can enjoy relaxation followed by the evening dinner.

Day 5: Wednesday

After breakfast and preparing the horses, the journey starts in the direction of the woods above the Equestrian Center. This is a protected area called Corno de Bico. The trails are full of forest wildlife, including: wild horses, mountain cows, foxes, wild boars, and even deer and wolves. You will enjoy lunch in a local tavern in the heart of a small and wonderful village with only 6 houses and 16 inhabitants.

Afterwards, the journey continues uphill to a view that includes wide open clean air, beautiful skies, and the Atlantic coast. Your next horse-riding destination is into the core of the protected landscape of Corno de Bico. You will see a post of the ancient forestry guard that served as surveillance for this wonderful, protected natural landscape. Descending from the forest scenery, you will take a trail that leads to the old village of Bico. You will leave the horses in the fields where they can rest and recover. Head back to the Stables at the Quinta for dinner and a peaceful night rest.

Day 6: Thursday

Awaken and enjoy breakfast at 09:00. You will then transfer to Bico to pick up your horse in the field and prepare it for the next adventure. You will explore the protected Natural Reserve at Corno de Bico. There are a variety of trails that will offer a day of discovery. This memorable experience will include searching for the herds of wild horses. Within the park you will be able to sense the untouched beauty of nature, free from human footprint.

You will carry your meals in the saddle bags of the horses and will take a break at the charming village of Grijo, where you will enjoy your lunch. Trail back to Bico to allow the horses to rest in the field one more might, whilst you head back to the Quinta to enjoy a lovely meal and rest too.

Day 7: Friday

You will awaken to the sound of nature and meet for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. Head to meet the horses and prepare them for the day. You will ride to another wonderful landscape, through the old forestry guards trail, exploring the beauty that is preserved and cared for. You will see the shelters of the wild horses, which are comprised of groups of 50 to 60 trees planted in the woods. The trees are planted in a way that protect the wildlife in harsh winters and hot summers.

You will most likely meet the wild horses grazing on their pasture grounds and stop on the edge of the forest, by the water, to have your packed lunches. It is not by chance, that they call this beautiful place: The Enchanted Forest of Miranda. After lunch, the journey continues as you start descending towards the Quinta for a relaxed late afternoon, where you will have the chance to enjoy the pool.

Day 8: Saturday

After breakfast, 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.

Northern Portugal Wilderness Trail Guides

Carlos and Luis are the guides that will accompany you on all of the trails. Their deep knowledge of the region spans culture, cuisine, blacksmithing, and horsemanship. Both local guides speak Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Carlos and Luis are the perfect companions on the Northern Portugal Wilderness Trail adventure.

Horse Description and Riding Level

The cavalry is composed of Hispano-Arab and Lusitanian horses; under 15 years old, the horses are "Cruzados” (Arab and English thoroughbred with Spanish or Portuguese horses). These horses are ideal for adventurous journeys in any kind of terrain or challenging situation - they are brave and peaceful in all situations. They are strong, lively, and fast, which makes them fit even on difficult terrain. Quinta do Dijo use English saddles and most of the time you ride with long reins. This relaxed way of riding permits enjoyment for the riders as well as the horses.