We’re proud to see GPX Viewer helping travelers and companies around the world make outdoor adventures simpler. One great example is Portugal Green Walks — a travel company that organizes self-guided hiking and cycling holidays across Northern Portugal and nearby Galicia. Their trips combine nature, culture, and authentic local life, allowing travelers to explore at their own pace with detailed GPX tracks provided for every route. To make navigation simple and reliable, Portugal Green Walks recommends using GPX Viewer, helping their guests follow trails confidently.
We asked Portugal Green Walks to share more about their region, how they use GPX Viewer in their tours, and about their favorite outdoor routes across Northern Portugal and Galicia:
Who we are (and why we care about GPX)?
Portugal Green Walks(PGW) is a Northern Portugal–based operator creating self-guided hiking and cycling trips across the Minho, Douro and Peneda-Gerês regions — and just over the border into Galicia. Our travellers get curated GPX tracks, route notes, luggage transfers, well-located stays, dinner suggestions, and 24/7 support. Because GPX Viewer is simple, reliable and free, we’ve recommended it for years — it makes following our tracks as easy as pressing “open”.
Our mission is to create authentic and seamless walking and cycling experiences in Northern Portugal and Galicia. Over the past decade, we’ve learned that a successful trip is not only about breathtaking landscapes and cultural encounters — it is also about giving our travellers the right tools to feel confident and independent while exploring.
One of the key elements in our self-guided tours is navigation. We design detailed itineraries and provide GPX tracks for every stage of the journey. To ensure our clients can follow these routes with ease, we recommend using the GPX Viewer app. It is a reliable, and intuitive tool that works perfectly on both iOS (PRO version only) and Android devices, allowing travellers to open our GPX files directly on their phones.
For all our clients who walk or cycle the Camino de Santiago, GPX Viewer has become the go-to solution. The routes load quickly, the maps are accurate, and the interface is straightforward even for those who are not very tech-savvy. Many participants tell us that knowing exactly where they are and how far they still need to go makes them feel secure.
By recommending GPX Viewer, we are not just providing a navigation app. We are enhancing the overall Camino experience, ensuring that our guests spend less time worrying about directions and more time enjoying the landscapes, food, and culture that make our region so special.
For anyone planning to hike or cycle the Camino de Santiago, GPX Viewer is an essential (and free) companion — and for us at Portugal Green Walks, it has become a trusted part of our tours.
Why choose Northern Portugal & Galicia
Wild coastlines & island-like beaches: From Porto’s Costa Verde to Caminha and into Galicia’s Rías Baixas, boardwalks and cliff paths serve Atlantic views without technical exposure.
Green mountains & granite villages: The Peneda-Gerês National Park blends ancient wolf trails, Roman roads and crystalline lagoons with stone hamlets that feel timeless.
Camino heritage, modern comfort: The Portuguese Coastal Way delivers waymarked paths, lively plazas, and the magic of arriving in Santiago de Compostela — with better coffee breaks than you’d expect mid-stage.
Year-round friendly climate: Spring and autumn are gold; summers bring long light by the sea; even winter can be crisp, clear and quiet.
Cuisine that rewards every mile: Atlantic seafood, Minho’s green wines (Vinho Verde), Galician pulpo, wood-oven broa bread — all dangerously “carb-loading”.
Signature routes our guests love (with GPX tips)
1) The Portuguese Coastal Way: Porto → Galicia → Santiago
Best for: Coast lovers, Camino first-timers, mixed hiking/cycling groups. Highlights: River mouth promenades (Douro, Lima, Minho), wooden boardwalks over dunes, ferry across the Minho River, historic old towns like Viana do Castelo and Pontevedra. Stage feel: Flat to gently rolling; frequent cafés; sea breezes. Using GPX Viewer: Open our stage file, start from the pier or cathedral square, keep an eye on the shoreline bends — the blue dot makes wayfinding effortless even when the scallop shells briefly vanish.
2) Peneda-Gerês Classic Loops
Best for: Mountain scenery without technical alpinism. Highlights:Mata da Albergaria Roman road, Arado waterfalls, Lindoso granaries and castle, wild horses (garranos). Stage feel: Moderate ascents with panoramic ridge walks; summer swims in natural pools. GPX tip: Zoom the elevation profile before you set off; pace your water stops around the climbs.
3) Minho River Greenways (Ecopistas) by Bike
Best for: Scenic, low-traffic cycling. Highlights: Riverside paths between Monção and Valença, fortress towns, easy gradients. Stage feel: Relaxed pedalling; picnic-friendly. GPX tip: Switch to the terrain basemap to anticipate bends near the river.
4) Douro Vineyards Balcony Routes
Best for: Winery-to-winery walking or e-biking. Highlights: Terraced hills, scenic trains along the river, golden evening light. Stage feel: Short but punchy ups/downs; rewards include a chilled white at day’s end. GPX tip: Use waypoint notes for miradouros (viewpoints) and café stops.
5) Rías Baixas Coastal Paths (Galicia)
Best for: Island-like beaches, seafood villages, gentle cycling. Highlights:Combarro, O Grove, Arousa; granite horreos on the waterfront. Stage feel: Breezy and undulating; plenty of swim opportunities. GPX tip: Mark tide-friendly swim spots as favourites for the afternoon.
How GPX Viewer makes self-guided simple
Import: Open the GPX file we share (email/WhatsApp/drive); choose “Open with GPX Viewer”.
Follow: Keep your location on; the map snaps your position to the line so junctions are clear.
Battery basics: Start with 100%, reduce screen brightness, and carry a small power bank for peace of mind. (Tip: download offline maps on your device before you head into remote valleys.)
Practical planning
Best seasons: April–June and September–October for mild temps and clear views.
Getting there: Fly into Porto (OPO); Galicia trips often finish near Santiago de Compostela (SCQ).
Gear: Lightweight hikers or breathable trail-runners, sun protection, swimwear for coastal days, and a small power bank for your phone.
Cuisine to try: Bacalhau à Braga, caldo verde, polvo á feira, Albariño and Vinho Verde.
Why go with Portugal Green Walks
Curated GPX routes with clear daily logistics — plug-and-play with GPX Viewer.
Luggage transfers every stage so you hike/ride light.
Accommodation in small, authentic stays near trailheads and town centers.
Bike rental (MTB/e-bike) sized to your height, set up before you arrive.
Local know-how for detours, swims, viewpoints, and dinner suggestions.
24/7 support — real humans, based in the region, always a call away.
