Trip to Arouca Geopark in Portugal
General
Arouca GeoPark, located in northern Portugal, about an hour's drive south of Porto, is a perfect destination for a day or two trip for nature lovers and active recreation. This is a geological reserve recognized by UNESCO. The reserve is huge, covering over 300 square kilometers. It is worth visiting recommended parts of it described here.
The reserve features one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, a long hiking trail on bridges along the mountain slope by a river, and many other hiking trails. The reserve features geological phenomena and breathtaking viewpoints, a river where successful rafting can be done, ancient villages, and the town of Arouca with a unique ancient monastery.
Recommended guided tours in the area:
Recommended Hotels:
♦ Recommended hotels in Porto are given in the article: Porto Travel Guide.
For those who want to dedicate more time to the park and stay close to it, you can lodge in Arouca or one of the other towns in the surrounding area. Two wonderful hotels that offer both double rooms and family apartments or suites are:
♦ Quinta de Santo António - Country House & Villas – A charming 4-star hotel with a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, good breakfast, internet, and free parking.
♦ Octant Douro – A photogenic and high-quality 5-star hotel with 3 swimming pools (one of them infinity), spa, restaurant, bar, and wonderful breakfast. Internet and parking free of charge.
Both are located on the Douro River (east of the Douro Valley) with wonderful views. Both are about a 45-minute drive north of the suspension bridge and serve as a successful starting point also for a trip in the Douro Valley and the Pena Aventura Park.
The 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge
The most famous attraction here is the highest suspension bridge in the world (175 meters) and the third longest in the world: Bridge 516 Arouca The length of the bridge is 516 meters (hence its name).
The modern bridge started operating only in 2021 and requires booking spots in advance for a specific time in order to regulate the number of people on the bridge, which allows a maximum of 35 people at the same time. You can walk back and forth at the booked time.
It is recommended to reach the bridge from the direction of the town of Alvarenga where you can park the car (approaching the bridge from the west is less recommended as it involves climbing hundreds of stairs).
Passadiços Do Paiva River Walking Trail
From the town, continue on foot along the walking path to the bridge, cross it, and from there continue on a hiking trail called Passadiços Do Paiva, which is the additional attraction on-site. This is a comfortable and long 8 km walking route, mostly downhill along the Paiva River, almost entirely built on the mountain slope and made of wood (with a railing).
While walking, you will witness an impressive landscape including a river, waterfalls, vegetation, and cliffs. Along the way, there are several opportunities to reach the river and dip your feet, and the route includes another short and photogenic suspension bridge.
The walking duration (leisurely) on it, including the bridge, is about two and a half to three hours.
There is no need to return the same way to your vehicle because at the end of the trail, jeeps and taxis await to take walkers back to the parking lot for a modest fee.
Rafting, Geology, and Viewpoints in the Park
If you have time and energy left, you can continue the trip in the southern part of the park, known for its unique geology and a variety of spectacular landscape viewpoints, and of course a large selection of hiking trails of every length alongside small ancient towns.
It is also worth heading to the town of Arouca in the center of the park and visiting the huge Mosteiro de Arouca, founded in the early 10th century and declared a national monument. The monastery also features a large and active church and a museum of sacred art. The town is also known for its excellent traditional pastries (originating from the monastery).
Mosteiro de Arouca:
The church in the monastery:
Your trip in the area can also be combined with rafting. The area is considered the best for rafting in all of Portugal, featuring boating options for all levels and compositions.
♦ Rafting on the river in Arouca Park, lasting 4 hours: Half-Day Rafting on the Paiva River in Arouca
Geological Phenomena
The geological phenomena that characterize the park are special shapes of rocks and stones in the park, some of them round and trapped inside rocks, and others in other unique shapes that can be found throughout the large park, such as rocks shaped like bread with a cracked crust at the site: JUNQUEIRO MAIZE BREAD ROCKS
Waterfalls in the park whose waters have carved only the soft rock layers for long years, leaving the hard rocks behind. This phenomenon is visible at the waterfall called Mizarela Waterfall :
Viewpoint near the waterfall:
As well as the shapes of mountains and valleys that can be seen from breathtaking viewpoints on the highest mountain peaks, for example, a viewpoint from mount
COSTA DA CASTANHEIRA PANORAMIC which is at an altitude of over a thousand meters:
Viewpoint on the way to the peak:
And a viewpoint at an altitude of 1100 meters from a viewing balcony called: DETRELO DA MALHADA PANORAMIC:
If there is no fog, this is what you can expect to see (photograph on the website):
Details and location of these sites can be found on the park's website discussing this: GEOSITES - GEOLOGICAL POINTS OF INTEREST
The park also offers educational programs on geology for teachers and students.