For the year 2025, AGA – Arouca Geopark Association is presenting a series of interpreted visits to the Arouca Geopark, organized between March and December, with the aim of making the territory known in a different and enriching way.

Walks on firm ground and water walks, rafting or float trips down the river, jeep tours, evening outings to the Weather Radar, S. Pedro Velho and the 516 Arouca Bridge and visits to farms and an apiary are some of the interpreted activities included in this program.

This programme is organized by AGA, in partnership with the Municipality of Arouca and some of AGA’s associates, such as Clube do Paiva, Just Come, NaTour Way, Rotas no Paiva, Why Not On Nature and the Trilobites Museum.

 

PROGRAMME

March 29 (Saturday) – On the Route of Man in the Historic Center, 09h30 – 13h00

Interpreted tour of the Iter Hominis sites in the Historic Center of Arouca: Brandão de Vasconcelos Square, Misericórdia Chapel, Arouca Pillory, Arouca Monastery (Church, Cloisters, Kitchen, Jail and Chapter Room) Arouca Municipal Museum, Marialva River, Casa dos Malafaias and Calvário).

Meeting point: Praça Brandão de Vasconcelos

Cost: 7.5€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide-interpreter, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement.

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until March 27, 2025

 

April 6 (Sunday) – Jeep Tour and walking tour interpreted by the flavors and aromas of the land – Routes in Paiva, 09h00 – 14h00

Interpreted tour: Espiunca – Vila Cova and interpreted pedestrian tour between the villages of Vila Cova and Espiunca, along the PR10 – Aromas Route, over 4 km and an accumulated gradient of 289m. It ends at the Espiunca mill with the making and tasting of corn and rye bread in a wood-fired oven and entertainment by the Singing Group of the S. Martinho de Espiunca Cultural and Recreational Association.

Meeting point: Espiunca

Cost: 25€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement.

Group size: Maximum 14 people and minimum 6 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until April 4, 2025

 

April 12 (Saturday) – On the Ore Route and the Magic Village with Natourway, 09h30 – 12h30

Interpreted tour: Jeep tour visiting the Regoufe and Rio de Frades mining complexes, which are of scientific, cultural, archaeological and landscape interest. For the more adventurous, we suggest entering the mines (included), and for the rest, experiencing the rural life that still persists there.

Meeting point: Avenida 25 de Abril, in front of the Monastery of Arouca

Cost: 35€/participant

Includes: Transportation in a 4×4 Jeep, with an interpreter guide; Safety equipment (helmet and flashlight) for entering the mines; Offer of water and local snacks; Photo report; Personal accident insurance.

Group size: Maximum 24 people and minimum 5 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until April 9, 2025

 

April 19 (Saturday) – On the Geosites Route in Serra da Freita, 09h30 – 12h30

Interpreted visit to the following sites on the Serra da Freita Plateau: EBIO do Merujal, Mizarela Lithological Contact, Frecha da Mizarela, Marmitas de Gigante de Caima and Marco Geodésico de São Pedro Velho.

Meeting point: Merujal Campsite

Cost: 7,5€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide-interpreter, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement.

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until April 17, 2025.

 

May 24 (Saturday) – Being a Beekeeper in Arouca Geopark – Itinerary Arouca Agrícola, 10h00 – 13h30

Interpreted visit to an ApisFreita apiary

Meeting point: Chapel of Senhora da Mó

Cost: 7,5€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement.

Group size: Maximum 12 people and minimum 6 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until May 22, 2025.

 

May 25 (Sunday) – On the Freita Botanical Treasures Route, 09h30 – 13h00

Interpreted tour: Observation and identification of endemic and endangered plants along part of the PR 16 route (around 10km).

Meeting point: Vale da Raíz Park – Albergaria da Serra

Cost: 7,5€

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark biologist, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement.

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until May 23, 2025.

 

June 8 (Sunday) – Tour of the Levadas Trail with WhyNot – On Nature, 09h30 – 13h00

Interpreted tour: 11 km circular route with an accumulated gradient of 400 m, along the PR11 – Levadas Trail, with interpretation of the mills of the Barrosa Valley and its network of levadas, the agricultural fields of Reguengo and the Casa dos Camossas.

Meeting point: Church of Santa Cristina in Mansores

Cost: 15€/participant

Includes: Guide interpreting Why Not – On Nature throughout the tour

Registration: Registration is compulsory here, until June 6, 2025

 

June 21 (Saturday) – On the Route of Man in Serra da Freita, 09h30 – 13h00

Interpreted visit to the Iter Hominis sites in Serra da Freita (Portela da Anta Dolmen, Monte Calvo Mamoa 2 and Casa das Pedras Parideiras – Iter Hominis documentary)

Meeting point: entrance to Aldeia da Castanheira

Cost: 7,5€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide-interpreter, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is compulsory here until June 19, 2025

 

July 5 (Saturday) – Astronomy at Serra da Freita, 21h30 – 00h00

Interpreted tour: “A walk through the sky” with the naked eye and observation with the STELLINA Digital Telescope

Meeting point: Arouca Weather Radar

Cost: 12,5€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by a FISUA specialist and insurance

Group size: Maximum 40 people and minimum 15 people

Registration: Registration is compulsory here, until July 3, 2025

 

July 6 (Sunday) – On the Geosites Route through the mines and unknown corners of Paiva, 09h30 – 13h30

Interpreted tour of the village and mining complex of Regoufe

Meeting point: Rua de Santo Amaro (Regoufe)

Cost: 7,5€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is compulsory here until July 4, 2025

 

July 26 (Sunday) – The red fruits of Quinta de S. Lourenço – Arouca Agrícola Itinerary, 08h30 – 13h00

Interpreted tour: From the chapel of Senhora do Monte, along the PR1 Caminhos de Montemuro, to Quinta de São Lourenço, identifying the seasonal products of the red fruit harvest

Meeting point: next to the chapel of Senhora do Monte (Alvarenga)

Cost: 7,5€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide-interpreter, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement

Group size: Maximum 18 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is compulsory here until July 24, 2025

 

August 9 (Saturday) – Moonlight Geosites Route in Serra da Freita, 18h00 – 22h00

Interpreted walking tour: S. Pedro Velho, Mizarela Lithological Contact, Frecha da Mizarela

Meeting point: Merujal Campsite

Cost: 10€/participant
Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide-interpreter, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here until August 7, 2025

 

August 30 (Saturday) – Astronomy at the Trilobites Museum, 21h30 – 00h00

Interpreted tour: “A walk through the sky” with the naked eye and observation with the STELLINA Digital Telescope

Meeting point: Trilobites Museum

Cost: 12.5€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by a FISUA specialist and insurance

Group size: Maximum 40 people and minimum 15 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here until August 28, 2025

 

September 6 (Saturday) – Canyoning in Rio de Frades with Clube do Paiva, 09h30 – 16h30

Interpreted tour: Rio de Frades Mines, “Postman’s Path”, Rio de Frades Fauna and Flora, waterfall at poço do 8

Meeting point: Arouca Town Hall

Cost: 65€/participant

Includes: neoprene suit, vest, harness and helmet, photographs

Group size: Maximum 16 people and minimum 2 people

Registration: Registration is compulsory here until September 4, 2025

 

September 20 (Saturday) – On the Route of Man in the Arda Valley, 10h00 – 13h30

Interpreted visit to Iter Hominis sites in the Arda Valley: Memorial of Santo António, Casal Romano da Malafaia, exhibition at the Sanfins Cultural Center and Chapel of São Lourenço (Várzea).Meeting point: St. Anthony’s Memorial

Cost: 7.5€/participant

Includes:Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide-interpreter, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until September 18, 2025

 

October 4 (Saturday) – On the Route of the Geosites in the Paiva Valley, 09h30 – 13h30

Interpreted tour of the Paiva Walkways geosites: Paiva Gorge, Aguieiras Waterfall, Gola do Salto, Vau and Espiunca Fault

Meeting point: Areinho Recreation and Leisure Area (transfer at the end of the route is not included)

Cost: 10€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide-interpreter, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until October 2, 2025

 

October 18 (Saturday) – Wild Mushrooms: from the field to the laboratory, 09h00 – 12h30 / 14h00 – 17h00

Interpreted tour: Observation, collection and identification of wild mushrooms

Meeting point: Granja – Moldes

Cost: 15€/participant

Includes: Specialist accompaniment, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement

Group size: Maximum 25 people and minimum 15 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until October 15, 2025

 

October 25 (Saturday) – Visit to Quinta da Fonte do Souto – Arouca Agrícola route, 09h00 – 12h00

Interpreted tour: Do you believe you can protect your fruit trees from various insects without using chemicals? Do you know how to improve and fertilize the soil naturally, enhancing its properties? Can you imagine a farm whose production is based solely and exclusively on organic practices? Here, at Quinta da Fonte do Souto, you’ll find an environment in total respect for nature, with organic certification (since July 2022) of all production and processed products.

Meeting point: Quinta da Fonte do Souto

Cost: 15€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by the Quinta’s owners, insurance and snack

Group size: Maximum 15 people and minimum 5 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until October 23, 2025
(full program of the Chestnut Festival)

 

October 26 (Sunday) – Ecovia in Autumn, 09h00 – 13h00

Interpreted tour: Part of the Arda Ecovia route, with an interpretation of the bio and geodiversity found, as well as the most relevant cultural aspects.Meeting point: Arouca Municipal Museum

Cost: 7,5€/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide-interpreter, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement.Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is mandatory here, until October 23, 2025

 

November 9 (Sunday) – Rafting Discovery with Just Come, 10h00 – 13h00

Interpreted tour: Meitriz-Areinho route (Class II on a scale of IV), with interpretation of the landscape in terms of biodiversity, geological phenomena and historical-cultural context.

Meeting point: 10h00, in AreinhoCost: 55€/participantIncludes: Experienced and certified rafting guides, all the necessary equipment, energy boost, photo report, personal accident insurance.
Group size: Maximum 30 people and minimum 4 people

Registration: Registration is compulsory here, until November 2, 2025

 

November 23 (Sunday) – From pumpkins to sweet boroa – Arouca Agrícola Itinerary, 09h15 – 13h00

Interpreted tour: Walk along part of the GR28, from the Chapel of Senhora da Laje to Souto Redondo, until you reach the Boroas & Companhia company. In the vegetable garden and in the factory, pick seasonal produce and take part in the day-to-day tasks of this family business.Meeting point: Cruzeiro in Lourosa de Matos

Cost: 7,5€/participantIncludes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide-interpreter and by the entrepreneurs Vitor Fernandes and Claudia Pinho, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is compulsory here, until November 21, 2025

 

December 6 (Saturday) – Twilight at the Radar, 16h00 – 17h30

Interpreted tour of the Arouca Weather Radar and surrounding landscape

Meeting point: Casa das Pedras Parideiras

Cost: €7,5/participant

Includes: Accompaniment by an Arouca Geopark guide, insurance and Arouca Agrícola reinforcement

Group size: Maximum 20 people and minimum 10 people

Registration: Registration is compulsory here, until December 4, 2025