Peneda Gerês National Park

Hiking Tours

LENGTH

8 Days

DIFICULTY

Moderate

START & END

Porto

DISTANCE

63 Km

GROUP SIZE

Max 12

LODGING

Confort

From 655€ / per person
4.5/5
LENGTH

8 Days

DIFICULTY

Moderate

START & END

Porto

DISTANCE

63 Km

GROUP SIZE

Max 12

LODGING

Confort

From 655€ / per person
4.5/5

OVERVIEW

At the north western border of Portugal and Spain, the Peneda-Gerês National Park offers wild landscapes, granite peaks and ridges, with lakes and glacier valleys. This tour takes you on the path of the Iberian wolf, from village to village within the park´s natural environment. The tour ends in Porto by the old district of Ribeira that preserves more than 2000 years of urban settlement, offers a remarkable testimony of the city´s rich commercial past, and greets every visitor with a lively atmosphere.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Unesco World Heritage sites (Porto)
  • City of Porto
  • Portugal’s unique national park
  • Small mountain villages.

ITINERARY

Welcome to Portugal! We will meet you at the airport or another location in the city of Porto, for a briefing on the tour. A transfer will take you to the hotel located close to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda, inside the National Park, where you will stay for the first two nights.

This circular hike will allow you to discover the Peneda mountain range, following ancient trails used by locals and their cattle on the annual migrations between the summer and winter villages, and following also paths that led the pilgrims to the Peneda Sanctuary. The route starts at the Peneda Sanctuary, taking the sinuous path uphill along the crag of Meadinha towards the lagoon, a beautiful spot for a rest. It will cross the Chã do Monte plateau towards the summer village of Bouça dos Homens. This is a typical summer village where you can still see, in the summer, herds and cattle roaming around. Bouça dos Homens offers a stunning landscape, with views to five mountain peaks, including Penameda at 1268m of altitude. The trail heads back to Peneda through the Peneda river valley.

Follow a paved road, along the stream, from Peneda to Lamas de Mouro village where you will find the visitor center of the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Here you can learn about some features of the protected area, the wildlife and points of interest. After the center, follow a small shepherd’s path that will guide you to Castro Laboreiro village. An XII century Castle is well visible from the surrounding hills and the village is nested not far from it. When you finish the hike, you will have reached one of the highest villages of Portugal.
This will be a superb hike through the villages of the Castro Laboreiro region. Discover the architecture and life of the people of Alto Minho on Romanesque paths and bridges, surrounded of an amazing beauty. Make sure to visit the Castle nestle on a small ridge and learn about the Castro Laboreiro dog who helped shepherds to defend their herds from the wolfs.

Morning transfer to Campo do Gerês, a different area of the National Park . This trail is part of the new long-distance hike path of the national Park. Follow the red and white stripes to join the village of Campos do Gerês to the Town of Caldas do Gerês. In the way take time to stop at different view points and enjoy the beautifull scenery.

There is a long tradition of using the mountain as pasture for the cattle, taken into the higher land to find grazing areas from spring to the fall. The tradition is still in use, and cattle roam free along these lands. Start by hiking up the communitarian wasteland and meadows of Vilar de Veiga. You can take the opportunity to visit some corrals above Caldas do Gerês, and after take the trail up to Pedra Bela Belvedere. You will have beautiful views over the valley and lake, and towards the dam just before starting the return to Caldas do Gerês.

Morning transfer to Porto. After check-in in the hotel you will have the opportunity to visit this beautiful city of Portugal. Discover the old quarter and walk along the river in the Ribeira area that offers a testimony of the city´s rich commercial past and presents a lively atmosphere. If you enjoy wine, visit the cellars and taste the Port wine enjoying an incredible view to the city.

Our services end after your check out from the Hotel.

INCLUSIONS

INCLUDED
  • Hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Luggage transfer during day hikes(D3,D5)
  • Transfrer from Porto to Peneda and Castro Laboreiro to Campo de Gerês)
  • Briefing at the Hotel with handover of documentation
  • Tracks For Navigation with your App
  • Booklet with detailed information for your tour, including maps
  • Basic insurance
EXCLUDED
  • Reservation of dinner (where available)
  • Gps for navigation.
OPTIONALS
  • Lunch and diners
  • Personal expenses.
  • Taxi transfer and presence support during hike.
  • Municipal Tax at Accommodation (2€ Day at Porto)

DATES & PRICES 2024

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WHAT TO EXPECT

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MAP

REVIEWS

HOW TO BOOK?

PAYMENT METHODS

E-mail : info@thewaytours.com

Wire Transfer

Secure Payment: PayPal, Visa, Master Card

Phone : + 34 633 317 697

We will respond to your enquiries within 24 hours

Bookings

HOW TO BOOK?

E-mail : info@thewaytours.com

Phone : + 34 633 317 697

PAYMENT METHODS

Wire Transfer

Secure Payment: PayPal, Visa, Master Card

We will respond to your enquiries within 24 hours

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