Walking holiday Gerês National Park Portugal
A centred-based walking holiday in Peneda-Gerês National Park Portugal – 8 days (self-guided).
Base yourself in one place, but take different walks every day, centre-based walking holidays are great for people who want to explore but not keep unpacking and repacking.
Explore the authentic Portugal, away from the crowds and walking through stunning landscapes in Peneda Gerês National Park.
Immerse yourself in Portugal’s wild landscape. Our centre-based walking holiday offers a relaxing way to explore wilderness and traditional villages in the Peneda-Gerês National Park whilst staying in the same accommodation each night.
In the north of Portugal, Peneda-Gerês National Park lies between northeast Minho and Trás-Os-Montes regions.
This protected area is known by its beautiful sights, diversified wildlife and flora. It also shelters more than 100 granite villages that, in many ways, have changed little since Portugal’s founding in the 12th century.
Take a look on our 8 day Self-Guided Walking Holiday hotel-to-hotel in Peneda-Gerês National Park with luggage transported, a inn-to-inn walking:
https://descubraminho.com/en/toursnorthernportugal/walking-holiday-hotel-to-hotel-geres-national-park-portugal/
Suggested route pairing: Self-Guided Walking in Douro Valley:
https://descubraminho.com/en/toursnorthernportugal/self-guided-walking-holiday-douro-valley-portugal/
Itinerary
A Descubra Minho representative will greet you at Porto (airport or city centre) and transfer you to Soajo, Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Soajo is one of the most beautiful villages in Peneda-Gerês National Park and will be your base for a centre-based 7 night walking holiday.
If you arrive earlier in Soajo you can explore the local waterfalls, narrow streets, traditional stone houses and the 25 granaries used to store grain.
In Soajo you will find 5 restaurants, 2 groceries and 2 bakeries.
Overnight stay in a Country House in Soajo
Morning transfer to Lindoso (20 min.).
Leaving the Lindoso village you walk uphill into Serra Amarela, home of Iberian wolves, golden eagles and wild horses.
During the walk you will enjoy the stunning views over the National Park and over Lima river.
At the end of the walk you can visit Lindoso castle and the sixty old granaries used to store corn.
Overnight stay in a Country House in Soajo
Morning transfer to Parada (20 min.).
From lovely Parada the walk drops down steeply through old terraces to the Lima Valley. Then climb up and down through attractive woodland and on old stone paths to reach the Parada watermills.
On the way to the village you walk through oak forests and you will get a great view over the village.
Overnight stay in a Country House in Soajo
Morning transfer to Peneda (38 min.).
A circular walk that starts and ends at Peneda mountain village. You go uphill through Serra da Peneda to reach a beautiful plateau and a small lake.
The path is mainly on rocks following old shepherd trails into the mountains. The way back you enjoy the great views over Peneda Valley.
At the end of the walk you can visit Peneda Sanctuary.
Overnight stay in a Country House in Soajo
Morning transfer to Campo do Gerês (45 min.).
This walk is one of the most beautiful in Portugal and Spain.
You start in Portugal walking through Gerês mountains. You will explore Mata da Albergaria (Albergaria woods), the heart of Peneda-Gerês National Park.
During the walk you will visit waterfalls, an old roman road with milestones and enjoy the pure nature.
On the last part of the walk you will cross the border between Portugal and Spain to explore the Spanhish Parque Natural da Serra do Xúres. The walk is on a beautiful valley and it ends at the outdoor thermal springs in Lobios.
Overnight stay in a Country House in Soajo
Morning transfer to Lindoso (20 min.).
Leaving Lindoso village you climb up Serra Amarela (Yellow Mountain) to reach Ermida.
Situated at an altitude of around 541m, Ermida is one of the many hill villages which have developed and survived in isolation. Apart from spectacular scenery, this walk gives you a glimpse of the sucessful farming techiques which have been pursued over centuries and which remain almost unchanged even today.
From Ermida you descend along Froufe river to reach Lourido café, where you end the walk.
Overnight stay in a Country House in Soajo
Morning transfer to Tibo (20 min.).
Leaving Tibo village you will walk on old paths to reach the hamlet of Adrão.
Then you walk downhill through Branda de Bordença, an old village that shepherds used in the past to live there during spring and summer.
The last part of the hike you explore Soajo watermills and you get wonderful views over Soajo village.
Overnight stay in a Country House in Soajo
After beakfast is time to say good-bye!
You can choose the pick up time from Soajo and you will be transferred to Porto or Braga.
Map
What´s included
- 7 nights in country houses,
- Breakfasts,
- Private transfer from Porto (city, airport or train station) or Braga to Soajo (day 1),
- Private transfer from Soajo to Porto or Braga,
- Transfer from accommodation to walking areas and transfer back to accommodation,
- Briefing about the tour - day 1,
- Roadbook with walking maps, walking notes and tips about atractions as restaurants,
- Mobile app to navigate and GPS tracks,
- Local telephone support - 24/7.
Not included / on request
- Extra nights,
- Packed lunches.
Accommodation
Overnight stay in a country house owned by a local family.
