Passadiços do Paiva: Overview

The Passadiços do Paiva trail is a 5.3 mi / 8.6 km one-way trail over a winding wooden boardwalk that follows the scenic Paiva River valley, and ascends up and over hills using wooden staircases in Northern Portugal.

At the Passadiços do Paiva trail, you’ll follow a wooden boardwalk alongside the Paiva River in northern Portugal and through the Paiva River’s forested river valley. The boardwalk ascends and descends labyrinth-like wooden staircases built to navigate the hilly terrain, and then meanders through a mostly shade-less route. There are three beaches along the trail – one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one at the end to cool off in the water.

One additional experience that you’ll want to write home about is the 516 Arouca suspension bridge, which is accessed from the trail on a separate ticket near the Areinho trailhead. It spans the river gorge at 175 meters (574 feet) above the ground, is 516 meters (1693 feet) long, and is one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in the world.