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 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.

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: 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

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