Melgaço: a tourist destination for sports and nature
Sport and Nature
In Melgaço, Portugal's northernmost municipality, sport and nature come together in an ideal setting for those seeking adventure, freedom, and genuine connection with the environment. Between the Minho River and the mountains of Peneda-Gerês National Park, every trail and landscape invites discovery and self-improvement, in a region that embraces active and sustainable tourism, offering unique experiences to those who explore it with an active body and an open mind.
Inspires nature, lives sport.
Melgaço offers a diverse network of trails for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, road cycling, and gravel cycling, nestled in stunning landscapes and suitable for all levels. The trails traverse forests, traditional villages, and viewpoints, providing contact with local biodiversity and technical challenges for cyclists. With national and international races and supporting infrastructure, Melgaço is an ideal destination for active and sustainable tourism, where nature, culture, and gastronomy combine to make each experience unique and memorable.
Current infrastructure and network
Melgaço boasts a network of 16 circular hiking and biking trails, totaling 172.3 km, primarily in the south of the municipality and in the highlands of the Minho River basin. Many of these trails follow ancient rural paths, offering direct contact with local culture. The Cycling Portugal – BTT Center, in Porta de Lamas de Mouro, is located in a well-equipped leisure area and offers five routes with four difficulty levels, totaling 170 km. It is currently in pre-approval for the national network of MTB Centers.
Future Projects
Melgaço is committed to the growth of nature tourism and outdoor sports, with a planned cycling network of approximately 1,065 km, including mountain biking, gravel, and road cycling, starting at the Lamas de Mouro Cycling Center. A new "gateway" will also be created in the riverside area, offering more routes in all aspects, strengthening the municipality's sports offerings. Melgaço invites you to explore its nature, culture, and gastronomy, providing unique experiences for all levels and disciplines.
Points of interest
Come discover Melgaço: an authentic journey through Portugal's roots.
Melgaço: Where History, Nature and Alvarinho Meet
Melgaço, Portugal’s northernmost municipality, is a true treasure trove of mountains, rivers, and vineyards. Here, every corner tells a story, every landscape invites contemplation, and every glass of Alvarinho celebrates a unique tradition.
Historical and Cultural Heritage
Begin your journey in Melgaço’s historic center, where the medieval walls and imposing Torre de Menagem (Keep Tower) preserve centuries of history. Visit Melgaço Castle, built in the 12th century, and discover the town’s strategic importance in defending the border. Not far away, you’ll find Romanesque bridges like the Cava da Velha bridge, testaments to ancient ingenuity that still impress today.
Mountain Landscapes and Rural Traditions
Climb to the brandas and inverneiras—typical transhumance villages on the slopes of the Serra da Peneda, where shepherds still follow the cycle of the seasons. These enchanting places, like Branda da Aveleira, reveal a deep connection between man and nature, in a way of life virtually untouched by time.
Nature in its Pure State
Melgaço is part of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only national park in the country. Here you can explore mountain trails, such as the Lamas de Mouro trail, visit crystal-clear waterfalls like the Laboreiro River, and breathe the pure air of ancient forests. Megalithic sites, such as the Castro Laboreiro dolmens, reveal human occupation since prehistoric times.
Wellness and Thermalism
For relaxation, there’s nothing better than a visit to the Melgaço Hot Springs, located in a lush natural park. Known since the 19th century for their waters rich in bicarbonate and iron, they are ideal for respiratory and digestive treatments, also offering a peaceful environment for rest and recreation.
The Flavor of Alvarinho
No visit to Melgaço would be complete without sampling the famous Alvarinho wine. Produced in the vineyards that shape the landscape, this aromatic and fresh white wine can be enjoyed at the region’s many wineries and estates. Solar do Alvarinho, in the town center, offers tastings and information about this Minho wine gem.
Sustainable
Melgaço has taken an increasingly sustainable path, with a purpose and enormous impact on the future of this unique territory and our community.
This vision underpins Melgaço’s certification as a sustainable tourism destination by EarthCheck, an accredited entity based on the criteria defined by the GSTC. Melgaço is renewing its certification for another year: 2025/2024/2023/2022.
Your adventure playground