After so many years of full-time travel in my campervan, I can safely say I’m a vanlifer 🙂
The title for my blog: Vanlife in Northern Portugal!
After Picos de Europa, I stop one more time in Spain, in the village of Mombuey. The next day we drive to Soajo in Portugal, a beautiful route along a large reservoir.
Peneda-Gerês National Park
Hike Soajo
The village of Soajo is located in the Peneda-Gerês National Park. There’s a free campervan site with a toilet and shower, a luxury! Soajo is known for its love of dogs, there’s even a statue of them. But it’s especially known for the old stone “espigueiros” they used to store grain, as shown in the main photo of this blog.
We take a lovely walk to the river where the rocks and boulders are covered in moss. In the afternoon I’ve a drink with my camper friend Pamela and the German neighbor. He brings local cheese, sausage, bread, and wine—delicious! We sit outside in the rain under the camper’s awning, really cozy!
The next day, we go for a walk around the village and through the fields, with lots of ascent and descent! We see brown cows with large horns. The cows also roam freely in the village, just like the horses. Soajo is a unique village!
Hike Lindoso
First a winding route to Lindoso by campervan, so we’ll end up on the other side of the river. Here is a walk known for its wild horses, but unfortunately, they’re not there. I see large boulders covered in moss again. The story goes that gold was hidden beneath them in Moorish times!
The forest has been burned and is charred black, a terrible sight, and the trail is difficult to find. The water pipe or hose to the village has also been burned. As a result, water is flowing everywhere, lots of it! Even on the path, making walking here a bit of a struggle!
Spend the night today in Gerês, a mountain spa town. I’m tapping delicious drinking water straight from the mountains!
Hike Xertelo, Natural Lagoons
We park in Xertelo to hike from there to the Natural Lagoons, or the 7-Lagoon Trail. But first, an amazing route through Peneda-Gerês. It’s a gorgeous park and also worth driving around!
The hike to the lagoons is splendid! There’s a lookout point, good trail markings, easy paths, beehives and there are wolves here (I didn’t see any). It’s an easy walk of about three hours and the green-blue lagoons are truly magnificent. Highly recommended!
To the coast, Viana do Castelo
A lot of rain has been forecast but it is still dry, so it’s time for a walk on the beach in Viana do Castelo.
Walking along the sea is so different from the past few days and also fun. Leo and his friend Curlij play and run happily on the beach.
It’s quite a hike to the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Mount of Santa Luzia). We climb a long, steep staircase. Ahead of us are pilgrims carrying heavy backpacks from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. The church is nice, both inside and out. But the view is breathtaking!
You can also take a taxi or the cable car to the top (dogs not allowed).
Senhor da Pedra Beach
I’m going to visit my camper friend Sandie and also meet Isabel, two lovely ladies! In Vila Nova de Gaia, they show me a little chapel on a rock in the sea. I walk with Leo along the wooden boardwalk to Espinho, where the ladies pick me up again. Isabel makes delicious tapas, life is great!
The old town of Guimarães
The city is often called the “birthplace of Portugal”. This is because the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, was born in Guimarães, and also because the Battle of São Mamede is considered the decisive event in the foundation of the kingdom.
I especially enjoy the castle on the hill, the many churches and the pleasant atmosphere in the city, even when it’s raining!
Bom Jesus do Monte
On to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte near Braga, a sanctuary atop a hill. It’s accessible via many steps if you prefer to walk.
The stairs leading to the top are formed by 17 terraces, each decorated with fountains, statues and other decorations that have different themes, for example the Five Senses, the Virtues and the Square of Moses.
From the top of the hill, you have a panoramic view of the city of Braga. You can also stroll around the area surrounding the church. There’s a pond, a forest, and plenty of places to stop for a coffee.
We’ll continue our journey via Route Nacional 2, or the N2, from Chaves to Faro. Would you please follow us?
