Hiking lovers are well aware of the rewarding thrill that comes with a hike. Not only is this energetic walk good for your physical health but also, spending time outdoors, taking in the beauty of nature and breathing fresh air keeps you mentally fit for another day.

If your life is all about collecting trails, be sure to consider Portugal as probably the best destination for hiking. Here’s why:

1. Nature is everywhere

Portugal is a rural country. A lot of its population lives in villages spread across an agricultural landscape. Even in the suburbs, people keep a vegetable garden and other greenery.

However, if you’re looking for the true wilderness, there are several national parks and nature reserves of a unique beauty. You will not see landscapes like these, of green grass, rugged stone, and quaint oak trees.

You are free to hike in places such as Peneda-Gerês National Park, Arrábida, Estuário do Sado, Roca de Pena, Ria Formosa, Ribeiro Frio… just to name a few!

2. It’s a really safe country

Portugal is one of the world’s safest country. There shouldn’t be any problems for you the average hiker going into the wild here.  Portuguese people are welcoming and they’ll recognize you for who you are, and they might even want to chat. Just don’t steal any crops.

Feel free to pop into a cafe to ask for directions, or to be in complete solitude in nature. Chances are you won’t have problems, whether you are a male or a female solo hiker.

3. Not a lot of people know about it

Things are changing for Portugal as more and more people around the world know where it is and what it is. Still, it might not be a top 5 destination for international hikers or trekkers… you might still think of it as a summery, beach destination, a favorite with college students or surfers.

This means that not everyone knows its hiking secrets, so you will have more peace and quiet as you take on the trails.

4. It’s got amazing islands

You can definitely hike in the two archipelagos of Portugal, Madeira and Azores. In the islands, nature has a wilder, more exotic taste. It’s lush and grows everywhere due to the high humidity. You also have amazingly beautiful volcanic landscapes here, like Capelinhos in Faial, Azores.

The islands of Portugal are unforgettable, they will give you the hikes of your dreams.

5. The food is amazing

You may be wondering why this would be a point, but every hiker knows that food is extremely important to sustain this highly physical and demanding activity. Portuguese food can be argued to be some of the best comfort food you will ever taste. It’s really easy to stop by the road and have a “prego no pão”, a typical pork sandwich with mustard — it’s delicious and great hiking food.

6. The trails are respected

If you’ve seen dashes of yellow and red painted on trees, light poles and rocks, these indicate hiking trails no matter where you are in Portugal. An equal sign (=) indicates the right path, a cross (X) indicated the wrong path, while arrows pointing left or right indicate which path to take.

Curious about Portugal’s hiking scene? Be sure to check out our off-road expedition around our spectacular mountain ranges, Rota das Serras. Do keep on reading our Adventure blog for more tips and follow Start Adventure on social media so as not to miss any new trips, news and that daily dose of travel that sustains you.