Portugal is a region full of the wonders of nature, where you can find tons of fantastic excursions.

The most famous is certainly the Rota Vincentina, a network of walking trails in SW Portugal, totalling 450 km along the most beautiful and best preserved coastline of Southern Europe.

However there are a lot of wonderful alternatives we wanted to share here.  

Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos: located in the extreme south of Portugal in the area of Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes, the path winds along the coast between high cliffs and unforgettable coves.

Praia Fluvial de Loriga: located in the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela, you will find routes with breathtaking views that wind through natural pools of crystal and fresh water. Where you can rest in natural beaches between the rocks and refresh yourself by swimming in the pools.

25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco: Located in the interior of the island of Madeira, this excursion will take you on a magical walk to the beautiful Risco waterfall, where you have access to 25 waterfalls. For this excursion it is essential to have food and water in the backpack because there are no refreshments along the way. Even if the sun is very hot along the way, you will always be covered by the shade of the trees. If you love to swim in the icy water, take your costume with you dip in any one of the 25 ponds.

Excursions in Madeira: Madeira island is completely green and full of hills and real mountains, there are a multitude of paths that cross the most beautiful areas. There are also several specialised agencies that organise excursions or are able to advise you on the most beautiful excursions.

When you go hiking in the mountains you must never forget safety, the clothing must be suitable for the climate of the place where you are and you must always bring a good hiking backpack to store all the necessary equipment. Even if Portugal is not a cold region, hiking in the mountains or in any case in nature can always hide pitfalls.

The first rule is to choose routes with a degree of difficulty suited to your level of training and fitness. The second fundamental point is to analyise the path well beforehand. Check it is well marked and understand if there are any refreshment points or if it is necessary to bring water and food for the entire trip.

Besides this, do not forget to check the weather forecast and move in stable weather conditions. The weather conditions in the mountains change very quickly and within a few hours you can go from beautiful sun to an awful storm, with strong wind and a sharp drop in temperatures.

We report this infographic, originally published on the site 10silove.it, where you can find a list of the 10 essential elements you should have in the backpack when you go hiking in the mountains.

Happy hiking.