AEPGA donkey centre and donkey walks, São Joanico

At most animal places children look. At this small centre near the village of São Joanico, in the municipality of Vimioso, they get to brush a donkey, walk beside one for three hours and, if they are between four and eight, ride one. The donkeys are Miranda donkeys, the rare, shaggy brown breed with white noses from the far north-east of Portugal.

The Centro de Atividades Lúdico-Pedagógicas (CALP), which roughly means activity and learning centre, is the newest site of AEPGA, the association that has protected the Miranda donkey since 2001. It opened in May 2018 inside the Parque Ibérico de Natureza e Aventura, an outdoor park in Vimioso. The centre has eight donkeys, four stables, a riding arena and a lot of grazing land and woodland. Its motto is “conhecer para proteger”, know them to protect them.

The donkey walk is the main event. It lasts about three hours, explores the countryside around São Joanico and looks at the wildlife and plants of the Planalto Mirandês (the Mirandese plateau). AEPGA rates it easy to moderate and open to everyone. The walk includes a visit to the centre, guides who know the donkeys and personal accident insurance.

The rules for children are clear. Children over eight who are used to walking can walk the route. Children aged four to eight may ride a donkey. So a four-year-old can manage a three-hour outing, riding when their legs give out.

Walks run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They start at 9:00, or at 8:00 from July to September to avoid the heat. AEPGA cancels walks in rain, fog, ice or snow.

The 2026 prices are per group, not per person. When we checked, one donkey with up to two people cost €60, up to three people €85 and up to four €110. Groups of five to eight share two donkeys and pay between €135 and €210. Groups of nine to twelve share three donkeys for €235 to €310. Book at least two days ahead.

The visita-oficina (visit and workshop) is open to families as well as schools. For an hour, children learn how to look after a donkey: grooming, how feeding works, and how to read a donkey’s body language and behaviour. It’s for ages four and up, and children under 12 must be with an adult. When we checked it cost €10 per person (€6 for students and scouts in a group). Sessions run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 and 15:00 and need a day’s notice.

This is a good choice for families with children too young to manage the walk on foot, or for a hot summer afternoon.

The simplest option is a one-hour guided visit to the stables. The guide talks about the donkeys’ daily routine, behaviour and characteristics, why a local breed is worth saving and what AEPGA does. Visits run on Wednesdays, Fridays and the second and fourth weekends of each month at 10:00 or 15:30, with extra weekend visits every Saturday and Sunday in July and August.

When we checked, visits cost €5 per person and were free for children aged six and under, AEPGA members and donkey sponsors. Students and scouts in a group paid €3, and groups of 25 or more €3.50 each.

AEPGA also runs donkey-assisted activities for people with special educational needs and courses for professionals. Ask the centre if that is relevant to your child.

Everything needs booking: a day ahead for visits and workshops, two days for walks. The centre closes on Mondays, from 24 to 26 December, on 31 December and 1 January, at Easter and when AEPGA runs its own events. Visits are in Portuguese and sometimes adapted into Spanish or English, so ask when you book.

For the walk, AEPGA asks you to bring comfortable closed shoes, clothes for the weather, a hat, sun cream, water and a snack. The 8:00 summer start is there to avoid the heat, so don’t be late.

AEPGA’s main donkey centre, with about 60 donkeys, is at Atenor in Miranda do Douro. It’s open on different days (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays), so on a long weekend you can visit both. In winter, the region’s masked festivals, such as the Festa dos Rapazes, are on our What’s on page.

Can young children ride the donkeys?

On the three-hour walks, children aged four to eight may ride. Older children walk alongside.

How long is the donkey walk?

About three hours, including the centre visit. AEPGA describes it as easy to moderate.

How much does a donkey walk cost?

It’s priced per group: €60 for up to two people with one donkey, €110 for up to four, and up to €310 for twelve people with three donkeys (2026 prices).

What if it rains?

Walks are cancelled in rain, fog, ice or snow. Stable visits and workshops are a fall-back, but check with the centre.

Is it different from the Atenor centre?

Yes. Atenor is the bigger centre with about 60 donkeys and guided visits only. São Joanico has fewer donkeys but offers the walks and hands-on workshops.