Walking Holidays in Portugal

Macs Adventure has been passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays in Portugal since 2008.  Frequent visitors to Portugal, we walked part of the Algarve Coastal Trail and knew that we had to develop something special in Portugal and it just grew from there. 

We now send over 1000 travellers to Portugal every year, each of them finding their own adventure in this varied, welcoming country. We provide the freedom to choose your tried & tested route, itinerary and travel companions and explore Portugal at your own pace. 

We know it can be daunting, setting off on an adventure on foot across part of a country, but we knew from experience how important it was to have amazing partners on the ground in Portugal to deal with any issues that you might come across, so we made a great effort to build relationships with our accommodation and luggage transfer suppliers and should you have the slightest issue, they will fall over themselves to help you out. 

We book comfortable, friendly overnight accommodation in local B&Bs and guesthouses. We carry your bags to lighten your load so you can concentrate on simply putting one foot in front of the other and enjoying the unique culture, food and scenery of this less-travelled part of Europe. No heavy bags on your back, no worrying about your overnight stay, you can book with confidence that we have it all covered for you. 

We want to showcase our expertise, by giving you all the resources you will ever need.  In the planning stage, we have free guides, comprehensive videos and a host of staff who have visited the many sides of Portugal, waiting to answer your questions. On the route, we use high-quality digital mapping as well as the best maps and guidebooks to make sure you find your way.  

We love Portugal and our main aim is to make sure that you do too.  

1. Madeira - While not on the Portuguese mainland, Madeira is undeniably Portuguese.  A walkers paradise with a deep green heart that can be explored on foot via a series of Levadas (irrigation channels) that crisscross the island.  Unique culture, unique wine and great local seafood.  What is not to love about walking in Madeira! We currently offer one self guided tour to explore this glorious island, by delving into that green heart on our Flower Island trip.

2. The Algarve - Everyone knows the Algarve, it is a summer hotspot with endless white beaches, turquoise seas, cold cocktails and fresh seafood. It totally is all of these things, but when you walk in the Algarve you get to see a different side.  There are no crowds, just some of the greatest clifftop walking in Europe, punctuated by vibrant little towns, filled with restaurants and bars. The Algarve Coastal Trails are where you will experience an Algarve that you didn't know and that you will never forget. 

3. Douro Valley - We have a couple of trips that combine visiting the vibrant cities of Portugal along with some world-class hiking. The Douro valley, mostly famous for its production of Port wine also has some outstanding walking trails, winding through terraced vineyards while the glittering Douro River snakes through the landscape below. (They also grow some of Portugal's best wines here, but don't talk about it much). Combine this trip with a visit to the great northern city of Porto, with its UNESCO world heritage centre and the worlds best example of positive gentrification, Porto has a great mix of attractions, classic architecture, bar and restaurant culture and people watching. 

4. The Azores - Another island paradise, with a heavy focus on nature and wildlife, the Azores sit isolated in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, making them an ideal stopover for migrating birds and sealife. So incredibly green, the rainforest hiking trails that run throughout the islands are bursting with life, punctuated by the bright blue hydrangeas that cover the island. You can island hop between the different islands, discovering their own unique culture or Drive and Hike through San Miguel, the main island to hike up volcanoes and through lush green forest. 

5. Sintra - Sintra is a glorious combination of odd, but beautiful, buildings all grouped together just an hour away from Lisbon. The area surrounding it comprises of a stunning National Park, the most westerly point in Europe and dramatic coastline, punctuated with little fishing villages and with hiking trails linking it all together.  Sintra itself has brightly coloured palaces, dramatic hilltop castles and vast gothic gardens rooted in secret societies. Walking from Sintra to Cascais is a trip bursting with highlights, or you can just enjoy the best of it on a Lisbon & Sintra short break.