Walking in Portugal, your self guided walking holiday made easy.

Have a holiday including self guided country walking in Portugal using the best 1/25000 walking maps and route guides for the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede, Alentejo.

We found the best way to see the region was by following one of the excellent walks provided. To be able to walk in ancient landscapes, down cobbled tracks with only the sound of birds and the occasional goat or sheep bell is a rare treat in this day and age. Each walk was full of colour, plants, wildlife and history and all different with some unique sights. Formerly reviewed at and

The Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede on Portugal's border with Spain is one of Europe's most beautiful and unspoilt areas and is ideal for self guided walking holidays. It is a region of forest, wooded hills, rocky ridges, olive and chestnut groves and fertile valleys intermingled with a maze of medieval tracks, medieval and roman roads and the plain around the hilly park is replete with megalithic sites. Some of Portugal's prettiest villages and medieval fortress towns are located here including Marvão seen in the picture above perched on the rock to the right.

Few tourists and walkers have discovered this secluded and beautiful part of Portugal yet it is a perfect place for a walking, hiking or rambling vacation. It is rare to meet many other people walking the countryside trails.

There are waymarked walking routes within the park and nearly all of them are circular walks. Even though the trails are within a single natural park they are varied in terms of ambience and terrain and the grade is easy to moderate. Fine country walking.

Maps for Portugal walking

We provide you with 1/25000 scale route maps marked up with the walking route and points of interest accompanied by detailed walking notes. For points of interest and for navigation we are continually adding GPS way-points to the maps and notes.

The walks that we undertook were guided by wonderfully detailed instructions provided by the owners. Formerly Formerly reviewed at by "The over 50s thrill-seekers club"

As a group we did four of the recommended trails, which meandered through olive groves, vineyards, local farms and picturesque hill top towns. The evening invariably found us sitting on the sun terrace sampling the regions wine and cooking the local produce. By weeks end we all agreed we would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a break away from the hassle of modern day life, to an area with an authentic charm all of its own.

The Wee Binnians Walkers, Northern Ireland & Eire.

We had a marvelous week. Thank you, we really appreciated your lovely Quinta. It surpassed our expectations in every way. Nightingales, Bee-eaters Hoopoe, and a Golden Oriole and peace! Walks took us twice as long as they should as so much to stop and see.

Dawn Powell, Somerset

Situated in a rural environment, its excellent for people that love to visit and discover Alentejo or walk in the mountains and forrests that surround the quinta. Formerly Formerly reviewed at by " Richard-Hoofddorp, Holland"

Walking in all seasons. Portugal has a great climate for walking all year round.

From late March through to early summer the countryside is carpeted with wild flowers displaying a gradually changing sequence of colours. You will see why they say the Alentejo is the Provence of Portugal. A self guided walking holiday is a joy in spring.

Should it get too warm for walking, take a day off to stroll around the interesting historic sites such as Marvão and Castelo de Vide in the Natural Park or dangle your feet in the Ribeira de Arronches at the Quinta.

Although the winter months are cooler there are many days with clear blue skies and lots of sunshine. Rainy days tend to be occasional and most weeks will enjoy some sunny days. Some of the best walking is to be had in winter.

Quinta Azenha do Ramalho provides the best quality self catering accommodation for your self guided walking holiday.

We just wanted to let you know what a fabulous time we had when we were at the Quinta. I cannot enthuse enough over it and we were all so impressed by the way you have equipped the house. We have rented several self catering properties over the years in both the U.K. (to walk), in Austria (also to walk) and in France (to ski) and we have never had such comfort. You have thought of everything.

Diane Evans, Lisbon

What the walkers think. In June 2007 eight Wee Binnian Walkers from Northern Ireland stayed at the Quinta and walked in the hills of São Mamede.   Look for the Portugal Report on the Wee Binnians Newsletter page to see what they thought.

Wonderful area with a lot of beautiful walking routes. Formerly Formerly reviewed at by " Jaakko, Finland"

Our pages for the Galegos and Reguengo walks give a good idea of the flavour of the region.

The Walking routes

The geology of São Mamede

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