Page 263 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

Striking river views
from a restaurant
terrace in Pinhâo

p promenade. Many of these from verdant, cultivated
eateries boast superb views
lowlands to bleak heights that
Pinhão of the steep terraced slopes reach 1,339 m (4,393 ft) at Alto
where the vines are cultivated. das Caravelas. Despite hunters
! F2 £ Pinhão
and habitat encroach ment,
Attractively set by a broad hawks, dippers and otters can
stretch of the Douro river, 21 still be spotted here. Be tween
pretty Pinhão is a major stop the picturesque hamlets of
for cruise boats. But don’t let Parque Natural Ermelo and Lamas de Olo,
this put you off – this town is do Alvão where maize is still kept in
a gateway to Port country. ! E2 @ From Ermelo espigueiros (p270), the Olo
Close to some of the region’s via Campeã n Lago dos river drops in a spectacular
best port producers, this is Freitas, Parque Natural cascade known as the Fisgas
the perfect place to pause if do Alvão; 259 302 830 de Ermelo waterfalls. This
you are visiting a vineyard for area is one of the most
a tour or staying at a quinta Within the 72 sq km stunning parts of the park.
(wine-growing estate). (28 sq miles) of this nature From Alto do Velão, just
The wonderful Linha do re serve between the Corgo southwest of the park, are
Douro – one of the country’s and Tâmega rivers, the splendid views west over the
most spectacular rail routes – scenery ranges dramatically Tâmega valley.
passes through Pinhão on its
way from Porto. Even if you
don’t arrive by train, take a
look at the town’s pretty little
station, which is decorated
with 24 dazzling azulejo panels.
These blue-and-white scenes
depict local life, including the
grape harvest.
Pinhão may be sleepy, but it
does have a few restaurants
and bars near the riverside

The rugged, untouched
landscape of the Parque
Natural do Alvão
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