IRON BRIDGES tour

CITY CENTER - THEME RUNNING TOUR

overview

This is the right choice if you enjoy some off-the-beaten-path-city-running or if you want add some steep slopes to your training log. As you might have seen from photos, Douro riversides can be quite steep... Also, we will be crossing Douro back and forth, on two different bridges, which will give you great perspectives of the river and both margins! Please understand that the full route was designed for experienced runners. If you want to try this kind of route but you're not certain of your fitness level, we can adjust the distance and spare you from some of the heavy 'climbs'!

WHY CROSS THE RIVER?

Porto is in fact a 'tale of two cities'. Separated by the Douro, the opposite city of Vila Nova de Gaia is where the original Port families stored and aged their wine and the landscape remains dominated by their lodges, each emblazoned with a different family’s name. A couple of impressive metal structures stood over time - and the river: two bridges, one beautifully engineered by Eiffel, the other by his German associate (later his competitor) Théophile Seyrig and their 'gang' of engineers back in the 19th century. These are even older than the Eiffel tower! We have the opportunity to run on the Luis I bridge and admire the older one, Maria Pia, which is out of commission but carefully preserved.

Do expect lots of interesting insights on Porto's history, mainly about old means of transport and structures, also about wine making, local gastronomy - plus - breathtaking sights from both margins' viewpoints! Also be prepared for some amusing stories about city folks and fun facts about Portuguese ancient monarchs (what a bunch!).

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