Ecopista do Tâmega (Greenway Cycling/Walking)

The Ecopista do Tâmega begins at Amarante's former railway station, reachable by an hour-long bus from Porto's Campo 24 de Agosto terminal for around 6.50 euros, with a return bus available from Chaves at the northern end; no permit is needed to use the greenway. The trail follows a decommissioned rail line for 55 km one-way along the Tâmega River valley, with minimal elevation change throughout, making it accessible to cyclists in a single day or walkers over two days broken into sections. The surface is compacted gravel and former rail bed the entire way, flat and largely open with intermittent shade from riverside trees, and there is no technical difficulty or exposure at any point. Landmarks along the route include former railway stations converted into rest stops, several old rail bridges and tunnels crossing the Tâmega, and the towns of Celorico de Basto and Cabeceiras de Basto roughly at the midpoint, which serve as convenient turn-around points for a shorter half-day outing. Water sources are available at cafés in the trailside towns rather than natural springs, and there are no refuge huts, though the former stations along the way often house small cafés or picnic areas. Mountain bike hire is available in Amarante through Bikeibérica for those not walking the full distance.