Marco Pombalino – View of the Douro Valley loop from Covelinhas

Hiking trails & Routes

Portugal

Vila Real

Covelinhas

Marco Pombalino – View of the Douro Valley loop from Covelinhas

Moderate

4.5

(46)

161

hikers

Marco Pombalino – View of the Douro Valley loop from Covelinhas

04:23

13.5km

590m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 10, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.15 km

View of the Douro River and Vineyards

Highlight • Viewpoint

Particularly from the terrace of the nice restaurant, there are beautiful views of the Douro River, the village of Covelinhas and the village of Folgosa lying on the slope on the other side of the river.

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Tip by

6.36 km

Marco Pombalino

Highlight • Monument

DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada): Wines that are born in the oldest demarked regions of wine and, therefore, controled by law (ground caracteristics, castes, winemaking, bootleling).
That “demarcation” had some twists, torns and stones... Well... cornerstones, named “Marcos Pombalinos”... The duck will scrutinize it 😉

1675 - “Vinho do Porto” comes for the first time with exportation to the Netherlands;
1703 – preferentional rights for Portuguese wines to England. The English were getting out of Bordeux, because the French king was taxing to much the wines...
1756 – English were “crazy” with “Port”. Climate of euphoria degenerates into adulteration and commercial chaos. With this, very important and knowledgeable people, propose to the future Marquês de Pombal, (thats the reason for the names given to the cornerstones, “Marcos Pombalinos”) the birth of one institution that could control the quality, prices and phisically establish the DOC (with the cornerstones);
1757 – placement of 201 “marcos”, cornerstones, for the first demarcation of the land;
1761 – upgrade of the DOC, adding 134 cornerstones;
1792 – opennig of “Cachão da Valeira”. Before that, the boats could only travel “so far”. With that openning/enlargement of Douro river, the “Superior” Douro was now accessible by boat. But the expantion of the vineyards at Douro Superior only began in the 19th century;
1850 to 1893 – the Valley was whipped by many diseases (maromba, oídio, filoxera, míldio...);
1907 – the last demarcation of DOC, now including “Douro Superior”, upstream from “Cachão da Valeira”, till the border with Spain

Tip by

6.83 km

Vineyard View Over the Clouds

Highlight • Viewpoint

8.45 km

View of the Douro Valley

Highlight • Viewpoint

Definitely worth a visit

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.46 km

Saint Leonardo of Galafura Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

Beautiful vantage point in the Douro wine region. This is where the grapes for the world-famous port wines grow.

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Tip by

8.48 km

View of the Douro River

Highlight • Viewpoint

Stunning views of the Rio do Duro

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10.4 km

View of the Douro Valley

Highlight • Viewpoint

13.5 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

8.65 km

3.15 km

1.42 km

251 m

Surfaces

6.35 km

3.45 km

1.95 km

1.73 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Thursday 5 November

15°C

0°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

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Comments

May 7, 2025,Covelinhas..Rund um den Weinberg

The ascent was at times very arduous...the descent at times very dangerous...overall, it was a beautiful tour with many impressions captured in photos....

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August 14, 2025,Marco Pombalino – View of the Douro Valley loop from Covelinhas

The views of the Douro are spectacular throughout the hike. Technically easy, the ascent is nevertheless challenging due to the steepness of the slopes. In summer, you should take plenty of water with you. The toilets at the viewpoint under the chapel allow you to refill your water bottles. They were open when we visited in August. Regarding the route, …

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December 1, 2022,🇵🇹 Am Duoro, wo der Portwein🍷reift...

The Portuguese railways connect Porto directly to the Douro Valley a couple of times a day. The train ride alone is worthwhile because of the panorama that is passed through.
The water-rich river meanders through the low mountain range landscape, on whose slopes the famous port wine grows on barren soil.
Of course the weather was very kind to us …

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