Arouca Geopark: The Complete Visit Guide to Explore Trails, Attractions and Geosites [2025] with Map

Arouca Geopark offers several routes and walking trails that explore its rich geological and natural diversity. These trails are ideal for those looking for an immersive experience in nature, with stunning views and the opportunity to discover the region’s geological and cultural heritage. Here are some of the main routes and walking routes:

1. Geosites Route
   The Geosites Route is a new way of looking at tourism, science and culture in the Arouca Geopark. Starting from hard work in the area of ​​qualification and valorization of the Geological Heritage of Arouca, a route was structured through the history of the Earth’s time, so well written in the rocks, fossils, minerals, soils and landscapes of this unique geopark and which, today, is an indelible mark of this territory!

   Enter this journey through the history and time of Planet Earth, which takes you to discover 31 geosites in this UNESCO World Geopark, spread across three itineraries.

   Designed to be done by car, the Geosites Route also has some sections designed to be covered on foot;
   
   

2. Route of Man
   The experiences of human beings who inhabited the territory of the Arouca Geopark guide this guide, of a touristic nature, whose main objective is to invite tourists/visitors to get to know them, in space and time, from Pre-History to the Contemporary Age, promoting the discovery of sites of notable cultural interest – here called Iter Hominis sites – many of them of high scientific, archaeological, historical, architectural or artistic value. At the same time, some information is shared about the intangible cultural heritage, which tells us so much about Man’s passage through Arouca;
   
   

3. Pedestrian Routes
   There is no better way to discover the most beautiful corners of the Arouca Geopark than on your own feet. The Arouca Geopark brings together a network of 14 short-route (PR) and one long-route (GR) walking trails that have, since 2001, played an important role in promoting the natural and cultural richness of this UNESCO World Territory. During 11 of the 14 walking routes, you can easily access 18 of the geosites in this territory, these being considered geotouristic walking routes;
   
   

4. Paiva Walkways
   Since June 2015, the Paiva River has stopped being so mysterious and distant, only within the reach of fishermen and those who venture into the wild waters. The Paiva Walkways brought us closer to the shore, to the unique fauna and flora, to the geological outline that its route traces. Your steps, your footprint and your images help us to value and preserve the natural resources that develop here. With each trip along this route, we seek to educate about sustainable development, guiding the eye along the landscape, the shore, every detail that, until recently, was inaccessible;
   
   

5. Water and Stone Route
   The discovery of the Magic Mountains® is made through a kind of metro line, with stops consisting of places to visit, in the immensity of the mountains, between the Douro and Vouga. This guiding line is A Rota da Água e da Pedra® (RAP), a tourism and nature route in which, from south to north, the lines of Vouga (V), Arestal (T), Arada (A), Freita (F), Caima (C), Paiva (P), Montemuro (M), Bestança (B) and Douro (D) follow each other.

   This route, across the 7 municipalities of the Magic Mountains (Arouca, Castelo de Paiva, Castro Daire, Cinfães, São Pedro do Sul, Sever do Vouga and Vale de Cambra), consists of 9 routes and 114 panels with 200 must-visit tourist attractions;
   
   

6. Industrial Tourism
   Discovering Industrial Tourism is an initiative of Turismo de Portugal, made up of a set of activities that provide the discovery of industrial heritage and living industry, and that characterize and differentiate the territories of our country.

   Arouca Geopark is betting on a new tourist segment, both in terms of live industry and industrial heritage. Arouquense gastronomy takes the lead in this type of tourist offer, which will feature guided tours and presentation of the cooking processes.
   
   

These trails are excellent for those who want to explore the Arouca Geopark on foot, with different levels of difficulty, and are ideal for all types of adventurers. Furthermore, the routes provide an enriching experience in communion with nature and the region’s fascinating geology.