27/06/2024
A couple of days ago, I received the following from a very happy paddler. The writer is David Pisaneschi, who Paddled the Douro earlier this June.
Twelve intrepid paddlers embarked on a kayak journey across Portugal on the Douro River.
Written by David Pisaneschi
Friday, May 31: At 4:00 pm, We met our guide Rui, at our hotel in Porto. After settling accounts and brief introductions, we were treated to a 3-hour walking tour of Porto, including the old city, which is a UNESCO site and dinner at a 5-star restaurant.
Saturday, June 1: Boarding our train in Porto, we sat back and took in the rural countryside , which was reminiscent of the Southwest ( without the rattlesnakes), including flowering prickly pear cactus. After a brief stop for lunch ( which was more like dinner), we journeyed to our lodge at Barca d' Alva near the border with Spain. After settling in, our guides took us on a brief trip along the Douro and up the Agueda River, a tributary of the Douro, which served as the border between Portugal and Spain. A headwind on the Douro made things interesting. We paddled only 1.96 miles in .75 hours.
Sunday, June 2: Barca d' Alva to Vila to Nova de Fox Coa. We paddled from the Marca River bridge to the mouth of the Coa River. Had lunch at the Coa River Ramp. Visited the museum a short distance from the ramp. The museum highlights the archaeological significance of the Coa River valley. The discovery of an ancient civilization and paintings along the valley walls led to the cancellation of a proposed dam which would have flooded the Coa River Valley. We stayed at a local farm and were treated to homemade port wine and snacks before dinner. We paddled 11.50 miles in 4.5 hours.
Monday, June 3: Vila to Nova de Fox Coa to Terre de Moncovo. After a short break in the morning, we stopped halfway for lunch ( 8.0 miles). Most of us continued on in the afternoon, stopping for a break along the way at an orange grove, where we helped ourselves to fresh oranges. Got great pics of flowering prickly pear cactus. We paddled 16.83 miles in 7 hours.
Tuesday. June 4: Sao Joao da Pesqueira to just past the Valeira Dam
We paddled out of the tributary where we finished the prior day out onto the Douro. We paddled into a picturesque canyon where we waited for over an hour to gain access to the lock at the Valeira Dam. Since the wind picked up in the afternoon, we packed up after lunch and drove 1.5 hours to our lodge. This day, we only covered 6 miles in 4 hours.
Wednesday, June 5: Peso da Regua to Emida Beech. The river became wider with more development. We were leaving the remote, rural upper valley. The day started out with a headwind and chop. Most folks stayed close to shore where the chop and wind were less severe. Rui paddled in the middle of the river to ride the chop and take advantage of the current. We stopped for lunch at the 7-mile mark. Continuing further downstream, we stopped after 2 miles at a local cafe. Continuing on, we took a side trip up a tributary to view a waterfall. Enroute, we paddled under an RR bridge and an ancient Roman bridge
( 2, 000 + ?? years old). Our lodge was just down the river. Nice rugs and hardwood floors for yoga and stretching. We paddled 11.50 miles in 7.0 hours.
Thursday, June 6: Emida Beech to Porto Antigo Ramp. Paddled only in the morning . Took an interesting local hike in the afternoon. Paddled 8.65 miles in 4.0 hours.
Friday. June 7: Porto Antigo Ramp to Amores Love Island. Calm, sunny day. Glass like water. Past through the Carrapatelo Dam. This lock was quicker than the previous lock. No delay. We got in at our appointed time of 11:15am. We stopped for lunch further down at the halfway point (6 miles). After lunch, we continued downriver to take out at Amores Love Island. Our group enjoyed the bar while our guides loaded boats and gear. We paddled 12.6 miles in 5.15 hours.
Saturday, June 8: Crestuma Dam to Porto. Starting just below the dam, we encountered headwinds. The incoming tide was now a factor. Our plan was to cover most of the miles before lunch. We stopped for lunch at a local park in Porto. After lunch we paddled the last 3 miles which was quite interesting. Lots of boat traffic which created cross wakes. Shore fishing activity was another factor. Very bumpy ride, requiring constant paddling and attention. Took out at Gaia across the river from Porto ,just before the Atlantic. We paddled 11.28 miles in 5 hours.
Sunday , June 9: After breakfast we bid farewell to our guides and new found paddling friends. Joining me on this trip were Jim, Charlene, Chistiane, Trace, Denise, Jim, Collen, Dave, Julie, Paula and Kevin. Thanks to our guides extraordinaire: Rui, Pedro and Miguel.
Final Notes: The most dangerous part of this trip is the cuisine. With 5 star accommodations , it's hard not to gain weight. We only paddled 80 miles out of the entire river length of 130 . The reason being it would require 3 lock crossings which presented logistical issues. Since I've been through locks before this trip, I didn't feel like I missed anything. I think others got the idea after going through 2 locks.
If interested contact Douro Kayak Expeditions at :
https://www.dourokayak.com/itineraries/itinerary-i #
Douro Kayak Expeditions. Kayak across Portugal in 10 days or only do the upper Douro Valley in 6 day
