Via Nova The Camino Real – Escorted
Our itinerary is built around the most impressive and interesting walking, sites and hotels found along two intersecting historical routes, providing a unique opportunity to delve deep into the history and culture of northern Portugal and Spain. The Roman Via Nova, constructed to connect Bracara Augusta (Braga in Portugal) with Asturica Augusta (Astorga in Spain) under the Emperors Vespasian and his son Titus in 79 to 80 AD, is 215 Roman miles long (199 modern miles, 322 km) and remains in an exceptional state of preservation. We will be passing the original milestones and walking extensive stretches of Roman paving on a route across hills and valleys to the mountain pass of Portela do Homem, marking the modern border between Portugal and Spain.
Descending into Galicia, we say “ave atque vale” (hail and farewell) to the Via Nova at the remarkable site of Aquis Querquennis, a mansio or official stopping point on the road-complete with military camp and thermal spring-fed baths-to join our second historic road: the Camino Real. One of the less familiar branches of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, this Camino is rich in fine landscapes and the even finer medieval and baroque architecture associated with the prosperity generated by millions of travellers.
Duration: 8 days
Trip dates:
22 - 29 Apr 2026
Itinerary
After meeting at Porto airport, we travel by road (40 mins) to Braga, where we stay at a 4* hotel, a former monastery in the old city. Time to explore the oldest city in Portugal.
Founded by Roman Emperor Augustus, Braga is the 3rd biggest city in Portugal and is considered the country’s religious capital. In the historic centre, narrow streets open on to attractive plazas and Gothic and Baroque architecture mixes with traces of its Roman beginnings. Braga’s cathedral is the oldest in Portugal and is a landmark for pilgrims following the Camino Portugues strand of the Camino de Santiago.
Restored historic convent dating back to 1508 with gardens, cloisters & pool
We drive (30 mins) to explore Citânia de Briteiros, an impressive Bronze/Iron Age site with hill fortress, and evidence also of Roman and medieval occupation. After visiting the site we walk (3 miles, 1.5 hours) to lunch. We then continue by road, and walk (3 miles, 1.5 hours) along a paved section of the Roman Via Nova en route towards the 12th century Cistercian monastery, where we spend two nights.
The Iberian peninsula’s best example of pre-Roman Castro culture, this fortified Iron Age “town” spreads across a hill-top occupied from the Bronze Age through to the Middle Ages. The extraordinary archaeology includes fortifications, residential compounds arranged on a grid pattern, a meeting hall and unique public baths.
Restored 12th century Cistercian monastery with gardens & pool
After a brief transfer we walk (7.5 miles, 4.5 hours) to explore the route of the Via Nova as it crosses the Terras de Bouro and enters the granite uplands. Optional afternoon walk (3 miles, 1.5 hours) via water mills, pastures and woods to the Baroque Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Abadia.
Amares is a charming municipality located in the Braga District. Nestled between the Cávado and Homem rivers, it is known for its scenic landscapes, historical sites and agricultural richness — especially its production of Vinho Verde wine. The area includes traditional villages, Romanesque churches and the beautiful Monastery of Rendufe. Located close to Peneda-Gerês National Park making it a peaceful, yet vibrant destination for nature lovers and cultural explorers alike.
Restored 12th century Cistercian monastery with gardens & pool
We drive (45 mins) towards the Portela do Homem (750m/2,456ft), the Portuguese/Spanish border, then walk (7 miles, 4 hours) following the Via Nova over the border and into Spain, passing Roman milestones and picturesque cascades along the way. After lunch we visit the 7th century Visigothic church of Santa Comba de Bande; and Aquis Querquennis – a 1st century AD Roman staging post, offering lodging for travellers – with thermal baths! We continue (40 mins) by road o the delightful small town of Allariz, situated on the ancient Via de la Plata, which merges with the Nova route towards Santiago.
Although the town’s origins are Celtic, Allariz was given its name in the 6th century by Swebian warlord Alaric. Its strategic position led to King Alfonso VI ordering its fortification in the 11th century and it became known at the “key to the Kingdom of Galicia”. Today the charming historic centre is still well preserved.
Rustic hotel in the historic centre of Allariz
We walk from Allariz, following the Via de la Plata, before continuing by road to the monastery of San Salvador de Celanova. Founded in 986, the impressive later Benedictine complex still preserves a small Mozarabic chapel of San Miguel, dating from 942. We walk from Celanova (2.5 miles, 1.5 hours) to Castromao, a Celtic settlement dating from the 6th century BC, then continue by road (1 hour) to Silleda.
San Salvador de Celanova: This Benedictine abbey was founded in the 10th Century, it has two cloisters, many Renaissance and Gothic features, and the nave of the main church is considered Galicia’s best example of the Baroque.
Castromao: On a hill-top above Celanova, the archaeological site of Castromao dates from the 6th century BC, another evocative example of Celtic-Iberian Castro culture.
Family-run ‘casa rural’ in lovely setting
We visit the 18th century gardens of Pazo de Oca, known as the 'Galician Versailles', with their magnificent ancient camellias. We then follow the Via de la Plata from nearby Ponte Ulla towards legendary Pica Sacro (8 miles, 4 hours) and spend the night at a unique winery eco-resort in a forest setting.
Splendid Baroque ‘court garden’ characterised by pools, fountains, boxwood parterres and camellias, designed to enhance a Duke’s residence with medieval origins but rebuilt in C18.
Luxury wooden cabins with terrace and outdoor jacuzzi
We walk from the outcrop of the Pico Sacro, following the pilgrim route (9 miles, 4.5 hours) to Santiago de Compostela, and stay in the heart of the medieval city.
Santiago is the capital of Galicia and has been the seat of a university since the 16th Century. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, centred on the three “squares” that surround the magnificent cathedral and burial place of St James. According to medieval legend, the remains of the apostle James were brought to Galicia following his martyrdom in Jerusalem. In 814 the light of a bright star guided the hermit Pelagius to the burial site. Pilgrims have been flocking ever since!
Transfer (15 mins) to Santiago airport.
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Easy to moderate walking. This is an 8-day trip, with walking offered on 6 days, plus a shorter ‘town’ walk around Braga on Day 1. The length of each day (Day 1 aside) varies from 4 to 6 hours of walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas. On some days we also travel short sections by road.
It is a surprisingly green landscape. We walk across open plains, orchards and vineyards, through woods, and across mountain ridges. The paths we use are well-made and well sign-posted throughout the trip. There is a limited amount of steep uphill and downhill. There are no vertiginous walks.
On some days our walks are in the hills and cross sections of quite rugged terrain. Please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient foot and/or ankle support. Some of our walks are highly weather sensitive: if it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
Our support vehicles allow you the flexibility to walk 'as much or as little as you like', with drop-offs and pick-ups appropriate to the given day's itinerary. The Tour Leader will tell you each evening about the following day's walking options.
Walking & Terrain
Easy to moderate walking. This is an 8-day trip, with walking offered on 6 days, plus a shorter ‘town’ walk around Braga on Day 1. The length of each day (Day 1 aside) varies from 4 to 6 hours of walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas. On some days we also travel short sections by road.
It is a surprisingly green landscape. We walk across open plains, orchards and vineyards, through woods, and across mountain ridges. The paths we use are well-made and well sign-posted throughout the trip. There is a limited amount of steep uphill and downhill. There are no vertiginous walks.
On some days our walks are in the hills and cross sections of quite rugged terrain. Please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient foot and/or ankle support. Some of our walks are highly weather sensitive: if it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
Our support vehicles allow you the flexibility to walk 'as much or as little as you like', with drop-offs and pick-ups appropriate to the given day's itinerary. The Tour Leader will tell you each evening about the following day's walking options.
Your Personal ATG Route Manager
Route Book
The ATG Route Book is a detailed, day-to-day guide. The book anticipates your needs with easy-to-follow instructions, maps, plans and other information that will guide you to discover the best that the area has to offer and is the key to the success of an independent holiday with us.
Walking App
Your Route Manager can provide you with a link to download an app to your smartphone. This app provides the GPS track for your route on your phone. You can use this digital support to find your position and navigate the route, even without an internet connection or mobile phone reception.
Accommodation & Meals
The hotels we stay in are characteristic of the area and the towns we visit.
All evening meals are included and are taken either in the hotel or in local restaurants.
At dinner the Tour Manager will tell you about the evening’s menu and if there is anything else that you would prefer, you only have to ask. There are no particular dress requirements in the restaurants we use, although some are obviously smarter than others.
Each day the Tour Manager will meet you with one of ATG’s celebrated picnic lunches. You will be greeted with mineral water and a starter followed by wine and an abundant lunch of local organic produce and specialities. Picnics are colourful, varied and nutritious. Buffet-style, there is a choice of meats, cheeses, substantial salads, bread and fruit…and pudding. If it is cold there will be a hot dish.
Food & Wine
This trip features rustic, wholesome cuisine: sumptuous stews accompanied by potatoes or rice; hearty fish and vegetable soups, often enhanced by aromatic herbs and always prepared with the best of olive oils. Fish and seafood are basic to the Portuguese cuisine and ‘bacalhau’ (salted cod) is still a firm favourite. Galician food is simple, using good local ingredients to complement the robust wines of the region. It is seasonal food, usually prepared with home-grown ingredients. Whilst it is a traditional cuisine, it is not a poor one – meat, game and seafood feature strongly alongside the more simple dishes, e.g. Caldo Gallego. The Galicians have a sweet tooth, producing a variety of almond cakes and light biscuits and are a dairy-producing people, providing a varied and interesting cheeseboard. This trip passes through areas renowned for their interesting wines, including Ribeira Sacra which is cultivated on steep terraces along the Sil River valley, and Crego e Monaguillo from Monterrei. Another famous Portuguese wine worth sampling is, of course, Port.
Frequently Asked Questions
Escorted trips are accompanied by two of ATG’s fully trained Tour Consultants, from the moment they welcome you at the airport, through to the end-of trip airport transfer. The Tour Manager looks after the practical side of the trip – luggage transport, hotels, food and drink. The Tour Leader will lead each day’s walk, and after dinner each evening will tell you about the following day’s itinerary. Both Tour Consultants will explain their role, and how the trip will run, on the first evening at dinner.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Tour Consultants can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Tour Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.
The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.
Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.
Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.
Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.
Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently. We will advise you of the group meeting time at the destination airport and return transfer time to the airport at the end of your trip to enable you to book compatible flights.
Yes. All of our escorted trips can be booked privately, you can book a set departure or a date to suit you (subject to availability). In most instances if the group is 13-16 clients we will offer the trip at the published price. For 12 or fewer clients we would provide a bespoke costing.
On escorted trips everything is included (per the published itinerary) apart from items of a personal nature and snacks or drinks outside of the set meals.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:
Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters
Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.
Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.
Sustainability
ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.
Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.
Other trips you may be interested in
