Hiking Peneda Geres National Park

Introduction
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.

Accomodation

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 Peneda
Night 3 & 4: Country Hotel in Lindoso
Night 5 & 6: Country Hotel in Soajo 
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.

Riding

Itinerary

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: Walk from Branda da Aveleira to Peneda
After a satisfyingly tasty breakfast, your private driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to drive you to the small village of Branda da Aveleira to start the walk over Peneda Mountain along an ancient shepherd’s trail.
Cross wild rocky highlands with sweeping views over the surrounding mountains. At a plateau in this majestic landscape, you’ll encounter an isolated reservoir, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
After relaxing by the water, a steep descent along a dramatic stone stairway and path brings you to the sanctuary of Peneda, completely hidden and almost beneath your feet.
A comfortable overnight stop awaits you in the modern hotel that has been tastefully installed in the former pilgrims’ quarters alongside the sanctuary.
Hiking about 11 km (elevation: + 239 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in 3* hotel in Peneda

Day 3: Walk from 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 Peneda river 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 19 km (elevation: + 445 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in Country Hotel in Lindoso

Day 4: 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 then take a taxi back to your lodgings.
For those who want a longer walk, you can complete the circuit and walk all the way back to Lindoso.
Hiking about 21.5 km (elevation: + 761 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in Country Hotel in Lindoso

Day 5: Walk from Lindoso to Soajo
As you leave Lindoso, and its incredible collection of 54 espigueiros (grain stores) and castle behind, you’ll walk through varied countryside with moss-covered boulders, oak forests, streams and small waterfalls. You’ll also pass through the village of Parada, once one of the most important in the area, before returning to Cidadelhe.
From here, you’ll make your way along paths and back roads to another village where you can see the hydro-electric power station that locals depend upon. Cross the River Lima then a final climb brings you into the village of Soajo where you will spend two nights in a wonderfully restored traditional stone house.
Spend the rest of the day exploring this village and reward your efforts with a chilled beer sitting in the shade of a tree outside a local café.
Hiking about 14.5 km (elevation: + 432 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in Country Hotel in Lindoso

Day 6: Transfer from Soajo to Avelar for a self-guided linear walk back to Soajo
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. Stop here to learn about the natural and cultural treasures in this part of the vast national park.
Make your way back 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.
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.
Hiking about 19 km (elevation: + 622 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed lunch
Overnight in Country Hotel in Lindoso

Day 7: Free day in Porto
Your private driver will meet you at your country house accommodation to take you to a 3-stars hotel in Porto city centre for the last night of this Northern Portugal adventure.
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

Rates and Dates for Hiking Peneda Geres National Park

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Ponte de Lima
Airport: Porto Airport
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                    Branda da Aveleira area