AGA – Arouca Geopark Association presents its Annual Interpretive Visits Program for 2025, a diverse and enriching set of guided experiences aimed at showcasing the unique natural, geological, and cultural heritage of the Arouca Geopark. Taking place between March and December, the program offers more than 20 guided activities that invite participants to discover the territory from multiple perspectives.

From hiking and canyoning to astronomy sessions, 4×4 jeep tours, agricultural experiences, and evening visits to iconic sites like the Meteorological Radar, the São Pedro Velho viewpoint, or the 516 Arouca bridge – this program has something for everyone. The activities are designed and guided by certified interpreters and local partners, including Clube do Paiva, Just Come, NaTour Way, Rotas no Paiva, Why Not On Nature, and the Trilobite Museum, in collaboration with Arouca Municipality.

Highlights include:

• Walking tours through the historic centre of Arouca and Serra da Freita, exploring cultural and archaeological landmarks;
• Jeep and walking tours through Regoufe and Rio de Frades mining villages, with opportunities to enter old mines;
• Botanical hikes, focusing on endemic and endangered plant species;
• Agricultural itineraries, including visits to organic farms and honey production units;
• Night-time astronomy sessions, using the STELLINA digital telescope;
• Canyoning and rafting adventures along the iconic Paiva River;
• Mushroom foraging experiences, combining fieldwork with lab identification;
• Seasonal food-based experiences, such as berry picking or pumpkin bread baking with local producers.

Each activity includes interpretive guidance, insurance, and a local tasting or snack (Arouca Agrícola), offering participants an authentic connection to the region’s landscapes, traditions, and flavours.

Get to know the full programme and plan your journey through the heart of Arouca Geopark!

PROGRAMME

March 29 (Saturday) – On the Route of Man in the Historic Centre
🕘 09:30 – 13:00
Interpretive tour of the Iter Hominis sites in the Historic Centre of Arouca: Praça Brandão de Vasconcelos, Misericórdia Chapel, Arouca Pillory, Arouca Monastery (church, cloisters, kitchen, choir stalls and chapter house), Arouca Municipal Museum, Marialva River, Casa dos Malafaias and Calvary.
Meeting point: Praça Brandão de Vasconcelos
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, until March 27, 2025.

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April 6 (Sunday) – Jeep Tour and Walking Tour: Flavours and Aromas of the Land – Rotas no Paiva
🕘 09:00 – 14:00
Interpretive tour: Espiunca – Vila Cova and a 4 km guided walk between the villages via PR10 – Rota dos Aromas, with 289 m elevation gain. Ends at the Espiunca mill with traditional corn and rye bread baking and tasting, and musical entertainment by the Group of Singers from the Cultural and Recreational Association of S. Martinho de Espiunca.
Meeting point: Espiunca
Cost: €25/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 6 to 14 participants
Registration required here, until April 4, 2025.

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April 12 (Saturday) – On the Route of the Mines and the Magical Village, with Natourway
🕘 09:30 – 12:30
Jeep tour of the mining complexes of Regoufe and Rio de Frades, featuring scientific, cultural, archaeological, and scenic interest. Adventurers can enter the mines (equipment provided), while others enjoy the surrounding rural experience.
Meeting point: Avenida 25 de Abril, in front of Arouca Monastery
Cost: €35/person
Includes: 4×4 Jeep transport with interpreter-guide, safety gear (helmet and torch), local snacks and water, photo coverage, personal accident insurance
Group size: 5 to 24 participants
Registration required here, until April 9, 2025.

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April 19 (Saturday) – On the Route of Geosites in Serra da Freita
🕘 09:30 – 12:30
Interpretive visit to several geosites of the Serra da Freita plateau: Merujal EBIO, Mizarela geological contact, Frecha da Mizarela waterfall, Giant’s Kettles of Caima, and the São Pedro Velho Geodesic Landmark.
Meeting point: Merujal Campsite
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, until April 17, 2025.

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May 24 (Saturday) – Beekeeping in the Arouca Geopark – Arouca Agrícola Itinerary
🕘10:00 – 13:30
Interpretive visit to an ApisFreita apiary.
Meeting point: Senhora da Mó Chapel
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 6 to 12 participants
Registration required here, by May 22, 2025.

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May 25 (Sunday) – On the Trail of Freita’s Botanical Treasures
🕘 09:30 – 13:00
Interpretive walk to observe and identify endemic and endangered plants along part of PR16 trail (approx. 10 km).
Meeting point: Vale da Raíz Park – Albergaria da Serra
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark biologist, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, by May 23, 2025.

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June 8 (Sunday)    | Along the Levada Trail with WhyNot – On Nature
🕘09:30 – 13:00
Interpretive circular walk (11 km with 400 m cumulative elevation) along PR11 – Levada Trail. Includes interpretation of the Barrosa Valley mills, irrigation channel system, Reguengo farmland, and Casa dos Camossas.
Meeting point: Santa Cristina Church in Mansores
Cost: €15/person
Includes: WhyNot – On Nature interpreter-guide, snack with locally made sweet potato cakes, and insurance
Group size: 5 to 20 participants
Registration required here, by June 6, 2025.

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June 21 (Saturday) – On the Trail of Humanity in Serra da Freita
🕘09:30 – 13:00
Interpretive visit to the Iter Hominis sites in Serra da Freita: Portela da Anta Dolmen, Monte Calvo Mound 2, and Casa das Pedras Parideiras (includes Iter Hominis documentary).
Meeting point: Entrance of Castanheira village
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, by June 19, 2025.

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July 5 (Saturday) – Astronomy in Serra da Freita
🕘 21:30 – 00:00
Guided skywalk and stargazing with the STELLINA digital telescope.
Meeting point: Arouca Meteorological Radar
Cost: €12.5/person
Includes: FISUA specialist guide and insurance
Group size: 15 to 40 participants
Registration required here, until July 3, 2025.

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July 6 (Sunday) – On the Route of Geosites: Mines and Hidden Corners of Paiva
🕘 09:30 – 13:30
Interpretive tour of Regoufe village and mining complex.
Meeting point: Rua de Santo Amaro (Regoufe)
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, until July 4, 2025.

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July 26 (Sunday) – The Red Berries of Quinta de S. Lourenço – Agricultural Itinerary
🕘 08:30 – 13:00
Interpretive walk from Senhora do Monte Chapel via PR1 Caminhos de Montemuro to Quinta de São Lourenço, with seasonal berry picking.
Meeting point: Senhora do Monte Chapel (Alvarenga)
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 18 participants
Registration required here, until July 24, 2025.

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August 9 (Saturday) – Moonlit Geosite Route in Serra da Freita
🕘 18:00 – 22:00
Evening walk through São Pedro Velho, Mizarela geological contact and Frecha da Mizarela waterfall.
Meeting point: Merujal Campsite
Cost: €10/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, until August 7, 2025.

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August 30 (Saturday) – Astronomy at the Trilobites Museum
🕘 21:30 – 00:00
Guided skywalk and stargazing with the STELLINA digital telescope.
Meeting point: Trilobites Museum
Cost: €12.5/person
Includes: FISUA specialist guide and insurance
Group size: 15 to 40 participants
Registration required here, until August 28, 2025.

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September 6 (Saturday) – Canyoning in Rio de Frades with Clube do Paiva
🕘 09:30 – 16:30
Interpreter-led canyoning route: “Caminho do Carteiro”, exploring flora, fauna and Rio de Frades waterfall.
Meeting point: Arouca Town Hall
Cost: €65/person
Includes: Neoprene suit, life jacket, harness, helmet and photos
Group size: 2 to 16 participants
Registration required here, until September 4, 2025.

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September 20 (Saturday) – On the Route of Man in the Vale do Arda
🕘 10:00 – 13:30
Interpretive visit to Iter Hominis sites: Santo António Memorial, Roman Mansion of Malafaia, Sanfins Cultural Centre exhibition, and São Lourenço Chapel (Várzea).
Meeting point: Santo António Memorial
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, until September 18, 2025.

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October 4 (Saturday) – On the Route of Geosites in Vale do Paiva
🕘 09:30 – 13:30
Interpretive tour of Paiva boardwalk geosites: Paiva Gorge, Aguieiras Waterfall, Salto Gorge, Vau and Espiunca Fault.
Meeting point: Areinho Recreation Area (no return transport included)
Cost: €10/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, until October 2, 2025.

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October 18 (Saturday) – Wild Mushrooms: From Field to Lab
🕘 09:00 – 12:30 & 14:00 – 17:00
Interpretive mushroom foraging and identification workshop.
Meeting point: Granja – Moldes
Cost: €15/person
Includes: Specialist guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 15 to 25 participants
Registration required here, until October 15, 2025.

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October 25 (Saturday) – Visit to Quinta da Fonte do Souto – Agricultural Itinerary (part of Chestnut Festival)
🕘 09:00 – 12:00
Explore certified organic fruit production, and learn natural pest and soil management on this biological farm.
Meeting point: Quinta da Fonte do Souto
Cost: €15/person
Includes: Farm owners’ host, insurance, and a snack
Group size: 5 to 15 participants
Registration required here, until October 23, 2025.

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October 26 (Sunday) – Ecovia in Autumn
🕘 09:00 – 13:00
Interpretive walk along part of the Ecovia do Arda, highlighting bio- and geodiversity and cultural insights.
Meeting point: Arouca Municipal Museum
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, until October 23, 2025.

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November 9 (Sunday) – Rafting “Discovery” with Just Come
🕘 10:00 – 13:00
Interpretive rafting trip from Meitriz to Areinho (Class II in the IVA scale), with insights into biodiversity, geology, and cultural history.
Meeting point: 10:00 at Areinho
Cost: €55/person
Includes: Certified rafting guides, all gear, energizing snack, photo coverage, and accident insurance
Group size: 4 to 30 participants
Registration required here, until November 2, 2025.

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November 23 (Sunday) – From Pumpkins to Sweet Boroa – Agricultural Itinerary
🕘 09:15 – 13:00
Walk part of GR28 from Senhora da Laje Chapel to Souto Redondo, visiting Boroas & Companhia to harvest seasonal produce and participate in daily farm tasks.
Meeting point: Lourosa de Matos Crossroads
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, until November 21, 2025.

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December 6 (Saturday) – Twilight at the Radar
🕘 16:00 – 17:30
Interpretive visit to the Arouca Meteorological Radar and surrounding landscape.
Meeting point: Casa das Pedras Parideiras
Cost: €7.5/person
Includes: Arouca Geopark interpreter-guide, insurance, and Arouca Agrícola tasting
Group size: 10 to 20 participants
Registration required here, until December 4, 2025.