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Tours

Walking & Hiking Tour in Gerês National Park

Duration 8 Days
Type Self Guided
Lodging Comfort
|Walking & Hiking Tour in Gerês National Park

Come and discover magnificent scenery while enjoying the fresh mountain air and Portugal’s only national park. Explore isolated rural communities, where traditional agricultural practices are still observed and where shepherd’s shelters and medieval castles go hand to hand. A true mountain sanctuary, filled with oak forests, wildflowers and crystal-clear waterways.

This adventure will take you to the foothills of Amarela Mountain, where picturesque villages have their tiny terraced plots with vineyards, surrounded by clusters of granite cottages. Here, age-old farming practices such as stone grain stores and ancient water mills are still very much the norm, essential for the grinding and storage of corn and wheat for these remote yet self-sufficient communities. It is time to follow ancient tracks, dating back to medieval times, that offer wonderful views of the Amarela and Peneda-Gerês Mountains, and where you may find as companions docile long-horned Cachena cows, as they wander freely to graze on the surrounding slopes.

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Gerês National Park Peneda-Gerês Walking
Daily Itinerary
Dates & Prices
More Information

Daily Itinerary

Day 01
Arrival to Ponte de Lima
(Private transfer from Porto is optional)
Arrive in this charming riverside town where, upon arrival, you will have a full briefing about your program, what you can expect and all information you require. You then have the rest of the day to explore Ponte de Lima. This attractive town has many highlights, such as the International Garden Festival, Arnado Park, the Gothic parish church, a riverside walkway and cycle path, the Roman bridge and a compact medieval centre with interesting squares, shops and cafés. Choose from one of the town’s many excellent restaurants and enjoy tasty local cuisine with a glass or two of vinho verde.
Overnight in Ponte de Lima.
 
Day 02
Stage 1: Castro Laboreiro Circular Walk (12.5 km | 7.8 mi | +440m)
Private transfer from Ponte de Lima to Castro Laboreiro
After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel lobby for a private transfer to Castro Laboreiro, where a circular track will take you outside the village and across the valley to a river where you dip your feet in the clear waters. Enjoy the stunning views of the neighbouring hills and avlleys, and arrive back at Castro Laboreiro.
Overnight at Castro Laboreiro
Day 03
Stage 2: Castro Laboreiro to Peneda (15.1 km | 9.4 mi | +311)
Leaving Castro Laboreiro, cross the rocky paths that take you to the park of Lamas do Mouro - from here, forests will accompany you towards Peneda's sanctuary.
Transfer back to Castro Laboreiro. Overnight in Castro Laboreiro.
Day 04
Stage 3: Peneda to Lindoso (21km |13.3 mi | +745m)
In the morning, a private transfer will take you to Peneda. Here, follow the river to cross several villages, reach the border with Spain and accompany the damn at Lima River to arrive at Lindoso. Here, the castle stands as a reminder of this village's historical importance to border defense.
Overnight in Lindoso.
Day 05
Stage 4: Serra Amarela Circular Walk (21.4 km | 13.3 mi | +745m)
Leave Lindoso and head into the forest through an unpaved road that leads gently uphill. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Soajo Mountains,  peace and quiet as you make your way downhill to the village of Cidadelhe. Keep follofollowingtrail to complete the circuit and go back to Lindoso.
Overnight in Lindoso.
Day 06
Stage 5: Avelar to Soajo (19. km | 12 mi | +576m)
Private transfer from Lindoso to Avelar.
Even though today has a rather steep start, you will be rewarded with striking views: the peaks and dips of the Peneda and Soajo Mountains and the lush Ramiscal Valley. You will also see rare examples of local heritage in the form of wolf traps and shepherd shelters. The rest of the walk, as you make your way down to the Mezio Park Gate, is much easier. There you can stop to learn more about the natural and cultural treasures in this part of the vast national park.
Then, you just have to make your way back to Soajo through mixed woodlands and natural and semi-natural mountain meadows. Enjoy your last evening in the Peneda-Gerês National Park with a regional dish, such as carne Cachena - a succulent steak from the long-horned mountain cows.
Overnight in Soajo.
 
Day 07
Free day in Porto
Private transfer from Soajo to Porto.
Today is your free day to get to know the Capital of the North of Portugal.
The hilly city of Porto presents a mingle of styles and eras that will enchant you. Porto is renowned all over the world for its delicious fortified wine which is specific to the region, made from grapes that have been cultivated and harvested on their designated banks of the Douro River valley and transformed into this delicious nectar at one of the area’s many Port wine estates.
Overnight in Porto.
 
Day 08
Departure
After breakfast, end of our services / Transfer to Porto Aiport (optional)
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Dates & Prices

From 785,00€/person  |  Min. 2 participants

Single supplement: 330€

More Information

Included
 
  • 7 nights with breakfast on selected accommodations (3* star or similar);
  • Luggage transfers – 1 bag per person – up to 15kg/bag;
  • 24-hour support line;
  • Private Transfer from Ponte de Lima to Castro Laboreiro (day 2), from Lindoso to Avelar (day 6) and from Soajo to Viana do Castelo (day 6);
  • Lunchboxes (from day 2 to day 6);
  • App on your phone with maps, GPS tracks and description of stages.
  • Personal Accident Insurance.

 
Extra services
 
  • Dinners at the hotels during the way (5 dinners excluding Porto and Ponte de Lima): 179€/pax
  • Extra night in Porto (Hotel 3*): 118€ double bedroom / 90€ single bedroom
  • Private Transfer Porto Airport – Porto (up to 4pax): 50€/car
  • GPS device (rental): 48€
  • Private transfer from Porto to Ponte de Lima (up to 3pax): 130€/car
  • Visit to the "Vinho Verde" Interpretation Center: 20€/pax

 
Not included
 
  • Transfers from and to the airport;
  • Dinners and Lunches not specified in "included";
  • Museum and Monuments fees;
  • Personal equipment;
  • Other personal expenses;
  • Touristic taxes;
  • All items not mentioned in “included”.

 

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