Villages & Trails of the Peneda Gerês Mountains Northern Portugal Portugal Peneda Gerês National Park is located in northern Portugal, at the border with the region of Galicia in Spain. It is considered one of the wildest places in Portugal and features some stunning landscapes. Due to its unique characteristics and its considerable nature conservation efforts, this park has been declared a Biosphere reserve by UNESCO. In this mountain territory, we travel from the old Oak forests in the valleys, full of creeks and old Roman bridges, to the high pics where the mountain landscapes are populated with herds of wild horses grazing peacefully in the natural pastures. From the valleys to the summits, we ride on ancient paths used for centuries by smugglers and shepherds, when they moved the cattle between the winter and the summer pastures. This tour caters to good riders ready to spend long hours in the saddle. If you are looking to explore this area with shorter riding days, we suggest you have a look at the Peneda Gerês National Park Ride. Family Vacation Center-based ride Meeting: Castro Laboreiro Airport: Porto Transfer: Porto Airport Riders: Min 1 riders Max 6 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Porto Airport. On Day 1, the transfer is scheduled for 3 pm. On the last day, you should be dropped off at the airport around 12 pm.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Note: Please note, the following itinerary description might change due to the weather or other conditions.

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival 
Transfers from the airport to the village of Castro Laboreiro, where our guesthouse is located. Welcome dinner.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 2 (Monday): Discover Peneda Gerês National Park
This morning, we match horses and riders and go for our first ride in the beautiful pathways of the Peneda Mountain. We stop for lunch in a typical local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit of the reception center of the National Park for better knowledge about the region and the biodiversity of this natural area.
In the evening, we will go for a sunset ride to track and follow a wild Garrano horses herd.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 3 (Tuesday): Laboreiro Valley Ride
We start our ride from the top of the mountain where the horses are stabled and we ride in the direction of the valley where the spring of the Laboreiro River can be found. We will pass by Rodeiro village, a typical mountain village of the region, on our way to the valley. After reaching the beautiful valley of Laboreiro, we will explore the South side of the mountain and make our way downhill, passing several abandoned hamlets on the way. We will then cross the Laboreiro river, already a large mountain creek at this point, using a old and beautiful bridge from the 18th century.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 4 (Wednesday): Historic Ride & Wine Tasting
Morning ride in the winter valley, surrounded by the Oak forest. This ride will lead us from hamlet to hamlet, riding on old Roman paths allowing us to discover a truly fantastic region with unique historical characteristics and the way of life of its inhabitants. Our lunch break is taken in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we visit the historical Melgaço village with its castle and old churches. On the way back to the stables, we stop in Alvarinho presentation center to try out their wonderful fresh local white wine.
A typical Portuguese wine, the Alvarinho cast is both one of the most important varieties of the Tart Wine Region and one of the most internationally prized.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 5 (Thursday): Ride to Castro Laboreiro
Today, we leave the winter valley behind and make our way back to Castro Laboreiro village, passing by Barreiro lake. It will be a ride full of fantastic views over the mountains and the oak forest. After lunch, our climb continues. We have chances of spotting birds of prey.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 6 (Friday): Ride to the border
Our goal for the day is the border with Spain. We should spot some herds of wild Garrano horses as well as some megalithic monuments which constitute the largest megalithic necropolis of the Iberian Peninsula. We will stop for our lunch break in the mountain. We should have some opportunities for long canters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 7 (Saturday): Valley of the Wolves Ride
Our trail for the day leads us towards the fabulous Valley of the Wolves. During our ride, we will discover one of the most beautiful valleys of the mountain. Full of biodiversity, this area is rich in rare sightings of wild animals. In this valley, we can also spot some herds of wild Garrano horses.
We will stop for our lunch break in the mountain.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
Transfer to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

                                                      Arcos de Valdevez area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	58	60	63	65	69	76	79	79	76	69	63	59
Average Low Temperature (°F)	42	43	46	48	52	57	60	59	57	52	47	44
Average High Temperature (°C)	14	15	17	18	21	24	26	26	25	21	17	15
Average Low Temperature (°C)	5	6	8	9	11	14	15	15	14	11	8	7
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	14	12	10	12	11	6	4	3	7	11	12	14

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 suggest that you bring:
- Comfortable clothes for riding
- Good boots and/or shoes to walk and ride (the best are the trail ride boots). If you buy them new for this holiday make sure that you use them the most you can before you came.
- Helmet (not mandatory but recommended). Some available to lend but we recommend you use your own.
- Light raining clothes. Our tours only run between April and November to avoid the bad weather but we are in the mountains, so changes can occur quickly.
- Water bottles. If possible, bring 2 smaller bottles instead of one big bottle.  Your saddle bags will be more balance in the saddle.
- Some warm clothes for the evenings
- Swimming suit. We have a beautiful natural pool in the river at 2 minutes walk from the house.
- Sun cream
- Hat

To avoid any possibility of spreading some horse disease, please don´t bring any riding clothes that haven't been washed before your stay with us.
We also ask that you do not bring spurs or whip. If, for some reason, your guide decides that you need to use a whip he will give you one.
 

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Cotton shirts with long sleeves (protection against the sun!)

Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)

Riding boots + Minichaps

Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection

Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Jogging suit / Pyjama

Light summer jacket

Comfortable shoes/sneakers

Swimsuit and towel

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films

Small bag to buckle on (for small items needed during the ride)

Spur straps (to tie sweater or parka onto the saddle)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Flash light

** No trip reports found with the tour ID you provided.

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
You will sleep in a traditional mountain house, located in the historic village of Castro Laboreiro in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, and surrounded by pure nature. The house was built in the early 20th century and recently restored. The owners maintained the original features of the house (stonewalls, wooden doors...), but they equipped it with all modern comforts (central heating, fireplace, free WIFI & TV with cable channels) to enable visitors a pleasant stay.
There are 6 bedrooms (all with private bathrooms) featuring homemade toiletries made with local goat milk and lavender.



In the garden, surrounded by a beautiful Oak forest, you will find the ideal place for your morning breakfast or to read a good book.

Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, the single supplement fee does apply.


Meals
The package includes all meals. 
We serve gourmet Portuguese traditional recipes accompanied by an excellent selection of Portuguese wine.

Breakfasts feature our locally produced honey and homemade jams and marmalades as well as many other delicious foods.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with advance notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Lusitano and Garrano horses
Pace:		Approx 2 to 4 hours per riding day | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3.5 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 14
Weight:		Max 185 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 6 riders

Your hosts are both journalists with a passion for the environment and nature conservation. In 1999, they decided to broaden their horizons and began a long-term project to study a family of Iberian Wolves and produce a documentary on the species for Portuguese television. They provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere and look forward to sharing their passion for this magnificent region with their guests.

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

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.