The Great Outdoors in Portugal

Information on the facilities in Portugal for outdoor activities: walks, hikes, cycling, horse riding, canoeing and more, including details of national associations and clubs...

Information can be found below on walking and hiking, cycling, horse riding, canyoning, canoeing and on the Portuguese sports federations.

Walking and Hiking

There are so many sites to go walking in Portugal and the list is literally endless. Portuguese tourist offices (Postos do Turismo) in each area have suggested lists of pathways and routes.

The Portuguese Camping and Mountaineering Federation (Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal) has information on clubs and hiking areas in Portugal.

• Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal (in Portuguese)
  At: Avenida Coronel Eduardo Galhado 24D, 1199-007 Lisbon 
  Tel: 218 126 890 
  Fax: 218 126 918
• Further information on hiking in Portugal from the European Ramblers Association

Cycling and Mountain Biking

• Portuguese Cycling Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Ciclismo) (in Portuguese)
  At: Rua de Campolide, Nº 237, 1070-030 Lisbon
  Tel: 213 802 140 
  Fax: 213 802 149
  e-mail

Horse Riding

Portugal has a strong riding tradition and there are private companies, clubs and stables all over the country.

• Portuguese Equestrian Federation (Federação Equestra Portuguesa) (in Portuguese)
  At: Avenida Manuel da Maia, 26 -4º Dtº, 1000-201 Lisboa
  Tel: 218 478 774/5/6
  Fax: 218 474 582 
• Portuguese Lusitanian Horse Breeder’s Association (Associação Portuguesa de Criadores Cavalo Lusitano)
  At: Rua Sebastião José Carvalho e Melo, 157-1 Dtº, 2750-483 Cascais
  
• Portuguese Association of Dressage (Associação Portuguesa de Dressage) 
  At: Rua do Alcaide 50, Acaidana, 2400-881 Milagres 
  Tel: 244 852 383
  Fax: 244 852 383

Canyoning

There are several fast-flowing rivers suitable for this sport: for example Rio Fafião (Braga), Rio Teixeira (Oliveira de Frades), Rio Âncora (Viana do Castelo), Rio Vez (Arcos de Valdevez), Rio Castro Laboreiro (Melgaço) and Rio Caima (Arouca).

Canoeing and Kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking are popular sports on the many rivers in Portugal. The Canoeing Online website has a list of clubs in Portugal.

• For a list of canoeing clubs: Click here (in Portuguese)

Further Information

• Portuguese Camping and Mountaineering Federation (in Portuguese)
• Portuguese Federation of Orienteering (Federação Portuguesa de Orientação) (in Portuguese)
  At: Rua José Valentim Mangens, lote 3 - r/c A, Apartado 2, 2644-909 Mafra
  Tel/Fax: 261 819 171
• Portuguese Mountain & Rock Climbing Federation (Federação de Montanhismo e Escalada) (in Portuguese)
  At: Apartado 226, 4501-910 Espinho
• Portuguese Speleological Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Espeleologia - FDE) 
  At: Praça Manuel Henriques Jr, 24-1Esq., 3100-500 Pombal
• Portuguese Federation of Underwater Activities (Federação Portuguesa de Actividades Subaquáticas, FPAS) (in Portuguese)
  At: Rua José Falcão n.º 4, 2º, 1170-193 Lisbon
  Tel: 218 166 547
  e-mail