Donkey Trekking Peneda Gerês National Park, Portugal
On our donkey trekking you can explore the Peneda-Gerês National Park in Northern Portugal, the land of Iberian wolves, deers and wild horses, many wildlife still live in the most remote areas of the Park.
Aside from the wild animals, domestic species such as cattle with long horns, goats and autochthonous sheep also inhabit the park and happen to be easily found. The history of the National Park is imprinted in the local heritage such as Lindoso castle, granaries, seasonal settlements, living testimony of human occupation over the years.
With its granite landscape, oak forests, traditional villages, streams and valleys, the Peneda Gerês National Park offers great scenery for nature lovers.
Book this tour and discover some of the most wonderful trails and picturesque villages within the park.
- Recommended for children from 4 years old.
- Maximum weight per donkey: 40 kg.
Itinerary
Parada is a rural village in Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Arriving in Parada you can walk around to explore the local restaurants, the cluster of granaries in the village and the natural pool called Poço da Gola where you can make a break to relax or swim.
Overnight stay in a country house in Parada, Peneda-Gerês National Park
On this day you will walk through Parada village.
During the walk you will enjoy nice views over the Lima Valley and you will see many rivers.
This will be a walk through farmland and you can visit some old watermills used in the past to grind the corn and make flower for cornbread and to feed the cows.
The walk starts and end at your cottage.
Overnight stay in a country house in Parada, Peneda-Gerês National Park
You follow ancient footpaths walking through oak forests and enjoy stunning views over Lima Valley. The hike ends at Lindoso.
For many centuries Lindoso played a key role in the defence of the Portuguese frontier. Its main attractions today are the old castle and the country’s largest collections of granaries (total of 54 granaries) standing around the communal threshing floor.
Overnight stay in a country house in Lindoso, Peneda-Gerês National Park
Following the footsteps of shepherds and cattle towards the high pastures of Serra Amarela (Yellow Mountain), you will visit an area rich in wilderness. In Serra Amarela there are still living the last Iberian wolves in Portugal and the garrano wild horses, an endangered breed of horse from Northern Portugal.
During this walk you can admire beautiful views over Spain or see the wild horses as well as the wolf tracks.
Overnight stay in a country house in Lindoso, Peneda-Gerês National Park
Leaving Lindoso in the morning you follow the footsteps of shepherds and cattle towards different villages inside the National Park. During this day, you go through terraced fields, oak forests and deep valleys and walking through the villages of Paradela and Cunhas you can learn about the inhabitants’ lifestyle.
Overnight stay in a country house in Soajo, Peneda-Gerês National Park
You will meet your donkey in the morning when we will show you how to treat and take care of him after which we will set off for a walk through the “Path of Bread and Faith”.
“Faith”, because it is one of the main pilgrimage routes to the Monastery of Senhora da Peneda and “Bread”, because it leads to the local watermills.
We will walk through stony paths with deep grooves used by ox-drawn carts transporting first corn from the village to the watermills and then flour on the way back. The way starts and ends at your place of stay and after our walk you can spend the rest of the day at a hidden natural pool where you can swim and relax.
Overnight stay in a country house in Soajo, Peneda-Gerês National Park
After breakfast it will be time to say good bye to your donkey and to Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Map
What´s included?
- Transfer from Ponte da Barca or Arcos de Valdevez to Parada, Peneda-Gerês National Park (day 1);
- 6 nights in country houses with a double or a twin private bedroom, private bathroom and fully equipped kitchen;
- All breakfasts;
- Briefing by a Descubra Minho tour leader (day 1);
- 5 days donkey rent – one donkey (more donkeys are available on request);
- Luggage transfers between hotels;
- Saddle and saddle bag for donkey to carry your picnic;
- Rental Garmin GPS with tracks;
- Roadbook: information pack including maps, route notes and guidebook (available in german or english);
- Emergency support (24/7).
Opcional services (on request):
- Transfer from Braga, Porto or other locations to Parada (day 1);
- Transfer from Soajo to Braga, Porto or other locations (day 7);
- Extra nights during the program;
- Guided donkey trekking: on request;
- Extra donkey: more donkeys are available on request and with an extra price.
Make An Enquiry
This trip can be enjoyed as shown, or made longer or shorter to suit you.
You can also do this trip without a donkey.
Please contact us for full details and to discuss your trip.
Our donkeys - from left to right: Linda, Carriça, Rock and João
Accommodation
This itinerary is based on bed and breakfast accommodation in hand-picked traditional country houses.
Location details are provided in the itinerary and will only be changed if unavailable at the time of booking.
