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Hiking
Overview
SelfGuided
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Hiking Peneda Geres National Park
Minho
Portugal
Enjoy fresh mountain air, magnificent scenery and observe traditional agricultural practices in the isolated rural communities of Portugal’s only national park. Discover shepherd’s shelters, a medieval castle, a mountain sanctuary, a traditional wolf trap, an enormous dam, oak forests, wildflowers and crystal-clear waterways.
Explore picturesque yet authentic villages in the foothills of the Amarela mountains where tiny terraced plots and vineyards surround clusters of granite cottages. You’ll see evidence of age-old farming practices such as stone grain stores and the ancient water mills that were essential for grinding corn and wheat in these rempte, self-sufficient communities.
Follow tracks that date back to medieval times and offer magnificient views of the Amareia and Peneda-Gerês mountain ranges. You may also encounter some docile long-horned Cachena cows as they wander freely to graze on the surrounding slopes.
Walking Tour
Meeting:
Ponte de Lima
Airport:
Porto Airport
Transfer:
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Rates and Dates for 2024
Rates include:
Accommodations, All breakfasts, Packed lunch from day 2 to 6, GPS track, Road book, Transfers on day 2, 6 and 7, Luggage transfers & 24/7 emergency support
A | 2024 | 8 day hike | 8d / 7n | €825 | $910 |
Transfer and Other Charges:
2024
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Single supplement
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€
325
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$360
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2024
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Transfer from Porto to Ponte de Lima, one way, per car (1-3 pax)
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€
160
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$175
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2024
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Transfer from Porto to Ponte de Lima, one way, per car (4-7 pax)
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€
190
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$210
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2024
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In person welcome briefing in Ponte de Lima (30 minutes)
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€
60
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$65
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A |
2024
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03/01
- 10/31
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8d / 7n
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8 day hike
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2
/8
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Reserve
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Rates do not include:
Transfer from Porto to Ponte de Lima, Airport transfer, All diners and some lunches, Gratuities & Insurance
Sample Itinerary - Subject to changes
Day 1: Arrival to Ponte de Lima
Make your way to the charming riverside town of Ponte de Lima where you will be greeted at your accommodation by a member of our team for a full briefing about your Peneda-Gerês National Park program and handover of the support documents and equipment.
Spend the rest of the day exploring this attractive town at leisure. Among the highlights are 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 wine.
Meals included: none
Overnight in 3* hotel in Ponte de Lima
Day 2: Castro Laboreiro circular walk
After a satisfyingly tasty breakfast, your private driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to drive you to the remote village of Castro Laboreiro. After leaving your luggage at the hotel, you will walk out of the village into the rugged hills and gorgeous countryside full of quirky rock formations.
Once in the valley, a pleasant area of woodland leads to an ancient bridge where you may like to bathe your feet in the untainted waters. Enjoy the shade of the trees and the sound of the stream as you climb steadily to the plateau, full of smooth granite boulders and sweeping views across the valley to other hills, valleys and ridges.
The trail ends back in Castro Laboreiro.
Hiking about 12.5 km (elevation: + 440 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in 3* hotel in Castro Laboreiro
Day 3: Castro Laboreiro to Peneda
Set off from your hotel, through the village, and cross wild rocky highlands with glorious views over the surrounding mountains on the way to Lamas do Mouro Park Gate.
From here, the enchantment of the forest takes over as you make your way towards the sanctuary at Peneda, at times following ancient stone paths built for local pilgrims.
Hiking about 15.1 km (elevation: + 311 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in 3* Hotel in Peneda
Day 4: Peneda to Lindoso
Leave Peneda Sanctuary by walking down the valley along a centuries-old pilgrim route used by people from surrounding villages to attend religious festivals at the religious complex.
Dramatic mountain scenery and enormous rock faces surround you as you follow the River Peneda through the small village of Tibo and continue down the valley to a place where two rivers converge. At this point, the river forms the frontier with Spain and it is easy to imagine the considerable flow of contraband that crossed this remote border.
From the village of Várzea it is an easy walk along a paved road beside the spectacular dam across the River Lima to nearby Lindoso, where the castle stands as testimony to its former importance.
Spend the night in a beautifully restored traditional village cottage and take a while to examine the traditional tools and examples of embroidery on display.
Hiking about 18.8 km (elevation: + 372 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in Country Hotel in Lindoso
Day 5: Serra Amarela circular walk
Walk through the ancient streets of Lindoso village and through a forest to follow an unpaved road that leads gently uphill, offering spectacular views of the Soajo Mountains opposite. Once you begin your descent, the views get even better! Enjoy the utter peace and quiet and pure mountain air as you make your way downhill to the village of Cidadelhe. At this point, you have walked 15.5km. If this is enough for the day, you can take a taxi back to your lodgings.
For those who want a longer walk, complete the circuit and walk all the way to Lindoso.
Hiking about 21.4 km (elevation: + 745 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in Country Hotel in Lindoso
Day 6: Avelar to Soajo
A scenic drive via private transfer takes you from Lindoso to Avelar, a small village of shepherds in the heart of the spectacular Soajo Mountain.
Your reward for a rather steep start to today’s walk is striking views of unparalleled landscapes; 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.
As you make your way down to the Mezio Park Gate, the going gets considerably easier and you'll be rewarded by some enchanting pools in a crystal-clear river.
Make your way to Soajo through mixed woodlands and natural and semi-natural mountain meadows. The finest views on this section extend across the Lima Valley to the Amarela Mountains opposite.
The trail ends in the village of Soajo. While you wait for your transfer to Viana do Castelo, you can pop into a local café or visit the collection of espigueiros and the unique pillory.
End the day in the small, attractive city of Viana do Castelo and explore the medieval town centre in the evening.
Hiking about 19.3 km (elevation: + 576 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in 3* Hotel in Viana do Castelo
Day 7: Free day in Viana do Castelo and Porto
You can choose to spend part of the day discovering the charms of Viana do Castelo, which has several interesting sights including the Santa Luzia Basilica, the Costume Museum and the Gil Eanes Hospital Ship.
When you are ready to leave Viana do Castelo, take the train or bus to Porto for the last stop on this Northern Portugal adventure (transfer cost not included in program).
The rest of the day is yours to explore Porto at leisure. Roam the historical streets, go souvenir shopping, admire the views or go on a port wine tour and tasting in the cellars of Vila Nova da Gaia.
With a plethora of restaurants to choose from, you can end your holiday with a fine dining experience or in a more traditional setting.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* Hotel in Porto
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast and check out, your onward journey begins.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Meeting:
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Ponte de Lima
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Airport:
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Porto Airport
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Transfer:
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Because this is a self-guided trip, participants are expected to arrive independently to their accommodation in Ponte de Lima. Private transfers can be arranged for an extra fee.
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Level:
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Moderate
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Total walking distance: 85 km
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Participants:
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Min
2
participants
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Max
8
participants
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Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.Passport Note(a) Sufficient fu. more
Branda da Aveleira area
Month
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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Average High Temperature (°F)
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44
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47
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51
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53
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57
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63
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67
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68
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64
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58
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50
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45
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Average Low Temperature (°F)
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32
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33
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35
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37
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41
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46
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49
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49
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47
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43
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37
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34
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Average High Temperature (°C)
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7
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8
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10
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12
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14
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17
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20
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20
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18
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14
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10
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7
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Average Low Temperature (°C)
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0
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1
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2
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3
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5
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8
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9
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10
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9
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6
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3
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1
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Source: NOAA
Seasons
Due to the oceanic influence, the annual average temperature in the region is around 13ºC. The highest temperatures occur between July and September, while the lowest correspond to the period between December and February. However, risk of frost remains high during almost all year long in the mountains (during early morning / late night).
The further inland you go, the more the climate tends to become 'continental' (hot in summer and cold in winter), with a decrease in rainfall. On another hand, as you gain altitude, there is an increase in precipitation risk and a decrease in temperatures.
We take care of transferring your luggage between each accommodation (limit of 1 bag per person - 15kg max per bag).
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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Accommodations
Your package includes accommodation in country hotels and 3* hotels along the way.
Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Ponte de Lima
Night 2: Hotel in Castro Laboreiro
Night 3: Hotel in Peneda
Night 4 & 5: Country Hotel in Lindoso
Night 6: Hotel in Viana do Castelo
Night 7: Hotel in Porto
Room Occupancy
Solo travelers will need to pay a single supplement fee.
Meals
All breakfasts are included as well as most lunches (from day 2 to 6). Dinners and lunch on Day 1 and 7 need to be paid extra.
Our packed lunches and picnic baskets are provided by our selected accommodations and contain fresh, tasty local products such as smoked meats, free range eggs, goat’s cheese, corn bread and seasonal fruit or jams.
Special diets and dietary restrictions:
We can cater to dietary requirements with advanced notice.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
Tack:
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--
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Horses:
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--
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Pace:
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Total walking distance: 85 km
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Level:
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(3
to
5
out of 5) Moderate to Challenging
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Riders:
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Min
2
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Max
8
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Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
(a) Sufficient funds are required for all except EU nationals. (b) Portugal is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy/consulate to check visa requirements
Passport Required? |
British |
Yes |
Australian |
Yes |
Canadian |
Yes |
USA |
Yes |
Other EU |
1 |
Visa Required? |
British |
No |
Australian |
No |
Canadian |
No |
USA |
No |
Other EU |
No |
Return Ticket Required? |
British |
No |
Australian |
No |
Canadian |
No |
USA |
No |
Other EU |
No |
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Hiking Peneda Geres National Park
Tour Code:
ZZ-HK-PTGW06
8 days /
7 nights
~$910.00
Dates: Mar-Oct
Level :
Difficulty Levels Explained
1. |
Easy
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Easy pace and an average-to-sedentary level of fitness. You should be in good health and fit enough for full day of normal sightseeing and walking.
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2. |
Easy to Moderate
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An average level of fitness or some experience with the featured
activity is recommended.
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3. |
Moderate
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Requires you to have performed the featured activity regularly, with
some periods on challenging terrain. Activities are mandatory and
you may be traveling at high elevations. You need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy these trips, with adequate muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance.
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4. |
Demanding
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You must be extremely physically fit and are expected to hike or
ride four to six hours over steep or more rugged terrain. |
5. |
Strenuous
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Prolonged hiking/biking on moderate to difficult terrain (five to nine hours a day).
May include high altitude, rugged terrain etc.. |
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Airport:
Porto Airport
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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