The city of Aveiro and the surrounding region, embraced by Aveiro Lagoon, is absolutely perfect for walking and cycling fans! Either on foot or by bike, Aveiro will fascinate you with its countless charms.
The 7 km-long Aveiro wooden paths follow the Aveiro Lagoon, inviting to the discovery of this breath-taking ecosystem so rich in avifauna and flora. A new way of feeling Aveiro Lagoon.
The track of Aveiro wooden paths can start in Cais de São Roque at the heart of Aveiro, in Cais da Ribeira de Esgueira away from the city or at the end of the track, in Rio Novo do Príncipe, in Vilarinho, parish of Cacia. There is also a short track connecting Cais de São Roque to Cais da Ribeira de Esgueira, which is approximately 2 km long, ideal for persons with less physical resistance or families with children.
Either on foot or by bike, at sunrise or at sunset, Aveiro Lagoon offers truly memorable images to its visitors. Along the track there are many wooden benches, engraved with local sayings, where visitors can rest or simply contemplate the amazing surrounding natural landscape.
Birdwatching aficionados can expect to spot several bird species: sea swallow, stilt, dunlin, western osprey, black kite, heron and flamingo. During Winter time, Aveiro Lagoon welcomes more than 20 thousand migrating birds.
Walking upon the waters of Aveiro Lagoon is diving in the identity of Aveiro, in a truly memorable experience.
There are many ways to explore all the endless beauty of the Aveiro Lagoon. Taking a boat trip on board of a traditional moliceiro can be a great way to feel the uniqueness of this dazzling lagoon. However you can enjoy this one-of-a-kind ecosystem by taking part on the Great Route of Aveiro Lagoon that has recently opened 2 additional walking and cycling routes: the golden and the green routes that lead visitors across the surrounding region.
The blue route is 130,8 km-long along its shoreline and paths as diverse as the landscapes and the biotopes of a unique lagoon ecosystem in Portugal. From the salt marshes to the habitat of "Bocage", from the pine forests planted in the dune cords that hold the Ocean, to the farming fields of villages that have lived with the Ria for centuries, this is a route that unveils us the diversity and richness of the relationships that human beings establish with the natural world.
The golden route is the longest and the most diversified of the 3 great routes of the Ria de Aveiro. This 234 km-long route goes deep into the sea, the mountains and the Vouga Valley, where visitors will find the most scenic and spectacular waterfalls of the country. Ideal for bike tours, this route covers the Vouga Ecotrail, crossing some of the most distinguishing towns of the region.
The green route is 194 km-long that can be explored on foot or by bike, as well as boat. The green route takes you across the most diverse landscapes, such as the Vouga Valley, the endless vineyards of Bairrada wine region, the riverside woods of Alfusqueiro River or the urban heart of Aveiro.
Travellers who want to cross the Ria de Aveiro in order to get to São Jacinto beach can take the ferry that departs from the Barra Fort and take their own bikes. A quick and comfortable way to discover the coastal charm of Aveiro !
