One of Europe's great train rides follows the Douro upriver from Porto into the steep, terraced valley where port wine is born. Get off at Pinhão and climb through the vineyards to a viewpoint over the whole bend of the river.
The Alto Douro wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world. For centuries, people have carved its schist hillsides into terraces for vines.
The Linha do Douro leaves Porto's São Bento station and, after the suburbs, runs right along the river, through tunnels and past quintas, to Pinhão, a small wine town whose station is decorated with azulejo tiles of the harvest.
From Pinhão, two classic walks climb into the vineyards: tracks through the terraces of Quinta do Bomfim just outside town, or the steeper road up to the hamlet of Casal de Loivos, whose viewpoint looks down on the great curve of the river, Pinhão and endless terraces. Harvest is in late September, when the valley is busiest and most beautiful. Take a rabelo boat or the train back.
Quiet country roads and vineyard tracks. Little shade: start early or late.
Look at the blue-and-white azulejos of grape harvests and river scenes on the station walls before you set off.
Follow the road north out of town, past wine estates, then climb through the terraces of schist walls and vines on quiet lanes.
The hamlet's miradouro looks down on Pinhão and a huge sweep of the Douro, terraces stacked up every hillside.
Descend by the same road or a vineyard track, and finish with a tasting at a quinta in Pinhão before the train or a rabelo boat back.
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Regional trains run from São Bento or Campanhã to Pinhão several times a day, taking around 2.5 hours. Sit on the right-hand side going upriver for the views.
Rabelo boat trips run short cruises from Pinhão; longer river cruises link Pinhão and Régua. Book ahead in harvest season.
Several quintas around Pinhão offer tastings and tours; most need booking. Walking means everyone can taste.
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Wooden walkways in a gorge and a 516 m bridge.
Granite peaks, waterfalls and stone granaries.
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Under the Arrábida bridge to a fishing village.
The Atlantic promenade to Siza's tide pools.
Wikimedia Commons photographs are used under their licences; Pexels photographs under the Pexels licence.
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