Vale do Tua

Vale do Tua is a protected area in northern Portugal covering the valley of the Tua River, a tributary of the Douro. It stretches between Vila Real and Bragança, and the area around Mirandela is part of it. The place combines a rugged landscape, a historic railway and proximity to a famous wine region.

What is Vale do Tua?

The Vale do Tua Regional Natural Park covers roughly 25,000 hectares. Quartzite ridges and gentler, low-relief plateaus dominate the scenery, with the river valley cut between them. The reference point sits at about 41.33° N, 7.32° W, deep in Trás-os-Montes, east of the Douro.

Why visit?

The valley lies right next to the Alto Douro, a wine region inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2001. For travellers this means a trip can mix several things: walking through river gorges, looking at terraced vineyards and following the traces of an old railway.

The Tua railway line

The valley is tied to the Tua Line, a branch of the Douro Line. Services ended in 2008 during construction of the Foz Tua dam. The dam, about 100 metres high, drew opposition from wine producers among others, who wrote to UNESCO fearing the flooding of the historic route. Today the story of the line is one of the central threads in the valley's identity.

Historic train and the Interpretive Centre

In the 2026 season, CP runs a heritage train between Régua and Tua, with a stop at Pinhão. The Vale do Tua Interpretive Centre is among its stops. The journey takes about three hours, with departures on Saturdays, Sundays and selected Wednesdays. The Douro Line is the only railway in the world linking three World Heritage Sites: the historic centre of Porto, the Alto Douro wine region and the Vila Nova de Foz Côa rock art sites.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Vale do Tua? In northern Portugal, in Trás-os-Montes, near Mirandela, between Vila Real and Bragança.

Can I get there by train? Yes, a heritage train runs between Régua and Tua during the season. Check CP for the current timetable and prices, as fares have differed from year to year.

What landscape will I see? Quartzite ridges, flat plateaus and deeply cut river valleys.

Is it part of UNESCO? The neighbouring Alto Douro is UNESCO-listed since 2001; the Vale do Tua park is a separate protected area.

Practical tips

Plan ahead, especially if you want the heritage train, which only runs on certain days. Bring comfortable shoes for the trails and combine the valley with a visit to Douro vineyards. Mirandela works well as a base, close to the valley and offering local Trás-os-Montes cuisine. Check opening hours of the interpretive centre and the condition of the trails before you go, as these can change with the season.