Our storystory

It all began with a sense of wonder and reverence for nature. And what’s the best way to experience at first hand the marvels that Mother Nature has to offer us? Through direct contact with it... and why not on a walk? Since the beginning of time, man has walked in search of food, a place to live or shelter from bad weather, looking for other human beings, on a journey seeking wisdom or enlightenment or merely to enjoy the wonders of nature. When I started walking in a professional capacity, I was fascinated by this simple yet profound line from one of Antonio Machado’s poems, “Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar” - “Traveller, there is no path, paths are made by walking.”

With the current tourism boom in Portugal, I never lose sight of my personal mission in this field: to provide a pleasant experience walking or hiking - whether in the countryside or in the city - and hopefully make my customers return to their homes richer inside and happier.

*The complete poem
Caminante, son tus huellas
el camino y nada más;
Caminante, no hay camino,
se hace camino al andar.
Al andar se hace el camino,
y al volver la vista atrás
se ve la senda que nunca
se ha de volver a pisar.
Caminante no hay camino
sino estelas en la mar.

Our missionmission

We believe that tourism should serve as a means to improve the local economy, and preserve nature and the unique local culture. We believe in responsible and sustainable tourism. We also believe that one of the best ways to explore a region, culture or countryside is by foot. Active tourism has the potential to do all this, and helps maintain and improve the health of our customers.

In practical terms, we aim to:

• Offer tours by local experts.
• Make you feel more like a local and a less like a stranger.
• Make you feel guided by a friend.
• Explore areas and show you places - as far as possible - that only locals know.
• Support the local economy, and consume local/national products, in order to promote and preserve the unique culture of a region.
• Leave no trace in nature or the city.
• Promote and teach people about the local countryside and culture.
• Try - as far as possible - to use ecological/organic products and avoid the use of disposable plastic.
• Provide an exceptional walking experience.

Our Team team

Filipe Carmo Passos

Filipe Passos was born in Oeiras, a suburban town on the Lisbon coast, in 1974, the year of the carnation revolution, the last great political revolution in Portugal. He studied environmental and natural resources at Odemira Technical College on the Alentejo coast, which is where he fell in love with nature.

He started his path on outdoor activities, working as monitor at the renowned local outdoor association “Desnível”, taking rock climbing, trekking and rope courses. A few years later, he began working as a trip leader at different active tourism companies. He has had the opportunity to work in other destinations in Europe, such as Provence and the Loire Valley (France), Galicia and the Basque Country (Spain).

In Portugal, his favorite destinations and work places are the Alentejo Coast and Lisbon and Sintra Coast, which is where he lives now, in a quaint village just outside Sintra called Colares, a place famous for its wine. Filipe also loves rock climbing, surfing, swimming (in wild places) and gardening. His special passion for organic farming and permaculture led him to join a group of pioneers who founded a food coop in the region of Colares.

Anna Loutsenko

Anna was born in Russia in 1977, but she grew up in France. During her studies at the Paris Institute of Political Sciences, she had the opportunity to study in the United States and in Chile, and also to travel in Europe. She graduated in political and social sciences and worked as an immigration officer in France. She's been living in Portugal for more than ten years. She learned Portuguese and post-graduated in Tour-Guiding, a professional course for guides, her current main occupation.

She also studied aromatherapy and medicinal plants. Her passion for alternative therapies led to her becoming interested in local plants and essential oils produced from endemic Portuguese plants.

Julia Snajdr

Julia was born in 1985 in a town near Munich and grew up practising various sports. Hiking became one of her favourites.

She studied forestry and regional development and worked as a tour guide in Central and Eastern Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia).

Her love for Portugal has grown since 2007 and two years ago she finally settled in her new home country to enjoy nature, the Atlantic, the good food and weather and endless outdoor activities. She likes to explore new places, inspire others and build bridges between people!

Today she is active as a tour guide as well as in forestry and sustainable mobility projects in the greater Sintra region.