Between Aveiro and Viseu, walking or cycling, you can explore a territory rich in biodiversity and diverse landscapes. From the vibrant and colorful Costa Nova to the peaceful, forest-like charm of the green trails on the banks of the Vouga and Dão rivers, the invitation is to leisurely discover the natural treasures of the Central region of Portugal.
Walking and cycling along the Ria de Aveiro
A Ria de Aveiro and the Municipal Environmental Interpretation Center (Tel. 234406428) are the first stop on this week’s Passeio Verde. Habitat for different species, next to the interpretation center you can observe flamingos and explore educational games about local biodiversity. It is a starting point for exploring other spaces, such as the Troncalhada Marine Ecomuseumthe Cais da Ribeira de Esgueira and the riverside parks of Requeixo and Carregal.
To better enjoy the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem, we suggest discovering the Grand Route of the Ria de Aveiro. It is defined as a long route, with almost 600 km in total length, which is divided into three independent routes (Blue, Green and Gold) and nautical routes.
O Golden Routethe longest of the three, with almost 334 km, is the most challenging and suitable for walking or cycling. This route connects with the Ecopista do Vouga and the GR11-E9 – Caminho do Atlântico. To make things easier, we suggest renting a bicycle from Biclaria (tel. 919463232) and following the directions for the various routes that connect routes in the lagoon’s area of influence, covering the municipalities of Águeda, Albergaria-a-Velha, Anadia, Aveiro, Estarreja, Ílhavo, Murtosa, Oliveira do Bairro, Ovar, Sever do Vouga and Vagos.
This Green Tour was carried out in partnership with Kia – Boa Cama Boa Mesa Official Car
One of the crossing points of the Golden Route of the Grande Rota da Ria de Aveiro is the Barra beachwith the tallest lighthouse on the Iberian Peninsula, and the Costa Nova beach. Here, you can admire the traditional striped, colorful haystacks on foot, which were once used as warehouses for fishing implements and which nowadays host several families during the bathing season, becoming one of the most popular places for a walk by the sea.
Be naughty for a day
Ria de Aveiro
Tourism Central Portugal
A Salinas Aveiro (Tel. 910951364) invites you to discover everything about “white gold” and the ancient extraction method still present today in active salt marshes. One of the most popular experiences, which includes lunch, is “Marnoto for a day”, in which visitors are invited to carry out all the tasks involved in the artisanal extraction of salt and fleur de sel, visit the navy and take home the extracted salt.
Alternatively, we suggest “Salty Baths”where you can dive in waters with a high degree of salinity and pools filled with mud from which the navy is built. The waters and muds are rich in various nutrients and minerals that are beneficial for blood circulation, skin hydration and are indicated for various clinical pathologies. To enrich the experience, it is possible to add massage, halotherapy, spé or spa services.
Explore the dune side of the Ria de Aveiro
From Forte da Barra, it is possible to embark on ferry boat to get to São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve and follow the trail along the walkway that leads to the beach or stop at the bird watching point. Created in 1979, the reserve extends from the tip of the peninsula that goes from Ovar to São Jacinto, limited to the West by the sea and to the East by one of the branches of the Aveiro ria. It also houses the São Jacinto Dunes National Forest. From the end of the 19th century, the dune cordon was confined to a forested area, in order to fix the sand, and today the dunes of São Jacinto are among the best preserved in Europe.
Before exploring the routes, visit the Interpretive Center of the São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve (Tel. 234331282), the place where you must communicate and have authorization to enter the protected area. For guided visits, it is best to contact the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests in advance (tel. 234331282).
The green variant of Nature Discovery Trail is a circular walking trail that stretches for just over 3 km, starting and ending at the Interpretive Center. The red variant of this trail is also developed along sand and walkways, which is longer, measuring around 7 km, which allows you to discover the forest, the dunes and the flooded areas.
On the way to Viseu
This Green Tour was carried out in partnership with Kia – Boa Cama Boa Mesa Official Car
Following the course of National Road 16, which with 219 km connects Aveiro to Vilar Formoso passing through the districts of Viseu and Guarda, the route leads to Vouzela. Here, it is suggested to go through the Vouga Ecopista65 km long, built on an old railway branch.
One of the most beautiful sections of the route comes after passing the old Paradela station, in Sever do Vouga, as here the route maintains tunnels and bridges from the old path of iron, which gives it a special charm. The Ponte do Poço de Santiago is perhaps the most iconic place on the ecopista. Built in stone masonry at the beginning of the 20th century, the bridge reaches approximately 28.5 meters in height, with 11 round arches supporting a 165-meter deck.
In Viseu, the Ecopista do Vouga intersects with the Dão Ecopistafor another 49 kilometers in communion with nature. The two green trails together make up around 115 km, to be covered on foot or by bike.
Cycling on the Ecopista do Dão
Dão Ecopista
DR
The Dão Line, an old railway line between Santa Comba Dão and Viseu, deactivated in 1988, was transformed into the Ecopista do Dão. The initial part of this cycle path, starting from Santa Comba Dãolocated on the banks of the Dão River and the Pavia tributary, follows each bend of the river through nature.
Further ahead, it moves away from the river, but remains surrounded by vegetation, with cork oaks, chestnut trees and oaks, some vineyards, fields and villages, and further away, views of the Serra do Caramulo, to the north, and the Serra da Estrela, to the south.
The Ecopista is easy to navigate by bike or on foot, has no significant climbs and has a firm pavement, painted blue in the municipality of Santa Comba Dão, green in Tondela and red in Viseu. You can choose to travel the entire length of the Ecopista, spend the night in Viseu and return the next day for another adventure.
Sustainable mobility: official Boa Cama Boa Mesa car is KIA
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Passeio Verde has the support of To Portugal – Boa Cama Boa Mesa Official Car which, weekly, throughout the year 2025, will showcase natural spaces, experiences and activities in nature. “This project is supported by sponsors, with all content created, edited and produced by Boa Cama Boa Mesa/Expresso (see code of conduct), without external interference.”
Ria Viv’Arte Project in the Aveiro Region
AIDA CCI – Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the District of Aveiro
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