A brisk walk brought us to the Porto Campanha railway station. A trackside bookstore was a nice diversion while waiting for the morning train up the Douro Valley.
Alighting at Peso de Regua, we headed for the pedestrian bridge across the river (1). A sign on the south side displayed a map for a series of trails leading into the hills. A quiet road climbs to a small path traversing the hillside to the right about 400 feet above Regua. Wandering past farms and vineyards, no other hikers were seen all day. Some dogs came running a considerable distance, excited to see someone on the trail.
A very wet trail section soon appeared, so we diverted through a very narrow path, lined with two high walls, to the adjacent laneway. The descent back to town was on a road a little to the east, offering sweeping views of vineyards and cheery orchards.
A nearby vineyard offered lunch. As it happens (and unknown to us), this was Michelin starred restaurant. The tomato soup was the best I ever had. Walking back along the river, we enjoyed a wine tasting in town before hopping on the train back to Porto (2).
(1) Three bridges span the Douro here: (a) the original iron road bridge, now the pedestrian bridge; (b) the stone road bridge, close to river level, and (c) the modern road bridge high above the valley.
(2) A teen got on a Regua with her father's help and sat across from us. After waving goodbye to her dad as the train departed, her boyfriend appeared from elsewhere in the railcar and they enjoyed each others' company for the ride back to the city.
We crossed the stone-arch bridge on the ascent
The morning train to the Douro Valley
View from the train with a halo around the sun
Motorcycle adapted to run on the rails (foreground), Regua station
Pedestrian bridge over the river
Trail-side finger post guides the way
On the trail
The dogs came sprinting to greet us
Vineyard views
Up to the lane to avoid a boggy trail section
Views on the descent
Cherry blossoms. Ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur) is a local specialty
Road-side cactus flower
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