Peneda-Geres National Park, 8-day Guided walking tour in northern Portugal

Your certified guides from Be Cool Travel will lead you on this fascinating, fun and beautiful 8-day guided walking tour through the Peneda-Geres National Park in Portugal, one of the true wild frontiers of Europe full of breathtaking scenery, diverse flora and fauna and rich culture.

 
 
 

Details

 

Trip Duration

8 days

Mountain Range

Serra do Geres

People per Guide

Trip Level

Easy

Offer Period

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Type of Trip

Private

Highlights

 
  • Walk through the glorious beauty of the Peneda-Geres National Park!
  • See a wide and richly diverse array of flora and fauna
  • Witness spectacular panoramic views of the mountains and valleys
  • Learn about the history and culture of the local area and people
 

The Peneda-Geres National Park in Northern Portugal is a truly epic, awesome and special area to discover, and I will lead you on this 8-day guided walking tour through the park, as we wind our way past and through the various lakes, rivers, mountains and ridges close to the border with Spain, not to mention the downright gorgeous and pretty flowers and plants that frame the scenery.

Peneda-Geres National Park is Portugals only national park, and is located just 100km from the bustling metropolis of Porto. It is renowned for its raw natural beauty, containing half of Portugal’s biggest nature reserve, and a wide variety of animals such as wild horses, wolves, boars and eagles inhabit the area.

The trip starts on day 1, where we will pick you up from Porto airport and take you to our base hotel for the week. Over the subsequent 5 days we will leave the hotel early each morning and head out to the park to begin our walks.

There is much variation to the walks we will do each day, with some days involving walking through small villages where animals roam freely around, others including meandering along idyllic and tranquil lakes, forests and woods, and others exposing us to some brilliant sweeping panoramic views over the rocky mountain-tops and the vast valleys.

Along the way we will also learn about the history and culture of the area, including a visit to the settlement of Calcedonia, containing signs of human habitation from as far back as 6000 BC.

We finish on the last day by heading back to Porto airport, having experienced the best nature that Portugal has to offer and memories to last a lifetime.

This is an 8-day adventure full of astounding sights and sounds – book now to experience!

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Price per person

 
 

Price includes

 
  • Guiding fee
  • Accommodation
  • All meals during trip
  • Transport to the start of the trip
  • Transport during the trip
 Does not include: - Any services not listed as included - Flights to and from Portugal - Meals, tips/gratuities, baggage or personal insurance (except as outlined) - Admission fees to castles & attractions or events (except as outlined) - Personal expenses - Supplements - Guide services inside monuments
 Cancellation Policy
 

Itinerary

 
  • Day 1: Arrival in Porto

    We’ll meet you at Porto airport and bring you to the Hotel.

  • Day 2: Monte Walk
    A scenic and varied walk. A series of fascinating villages and their field systems to walk through.
    The high villages are some of the few in the north where animals can be seen wandering free, in and around the villages.
    Our descent through wooded slopes in the afternoon gives tremendous views over the mountains and lakes stretching out in front of us.

     

  • Day 3: Caniçada

    Relatively easy walk as a contrast to the mountains. Today is a gentle stroll meandering around the Shore of Caniçada Lake. Shaded by the mixed woodland sheltering innumerable smallholdings where people tend immaculate plots of vines, fruit trees & vegetables.

  • Day 4: Ermida
    Spectacular walk, over varying terrain and through ever changing scenery.
    An ancient trail used by the goats from the village of Ermida leads us to dramatic boulders & outcrops.
    We visit Cascata do Arado, one of the most iconic waterfalls in the National Park and winding wooded trails lead us to Pedra Bela a high rocky viewpoint towering above the valley of Gerês and our hotel far below.

     

  • Day 5: Calcedonia (Option: free day)
    Attractive walk through the village of Campo do Gerês then tremendous open rocky scenery.
    Our mountain trail visits the ancient and evocative settlement of Calcedonia going back to Celtic times and before. The oldest signs of human habitation in the park date back to 6000 years bc. We then return to civilization with a welcoming café in the village of Covide.

     

  • Day 6:  Vilarinho Walk
    A walk through the lush Mata da Albergaria, the richest area of the park for trees and vegetation.
    We crisscross the cascading Rio Homen and then enjoy the views as we stroll above the lake of Vilarinho das Furnas. If weather permits we can enjoy a swim in the crystal clear waters.

     

  • Day 7: Hidden Valley
    A big walk in every way, one of the classics of the Gerês. Bleak and dramatic high mountain scenery.
    An ancient trail leads us up into the mountains and the high Hidden Valley within, passing through timeless mountains pastures set amongst the harsh mountain terrain.

     

  • Day 8: Departure
    After breakfast transfer to Porto airport.

     

 
 

Other details

 
Skill level required

First time

Fitness level required

Open to everyone

Meeting point

Porto Airport

Accommodation

We will stay at the Beleza Serra Guide Hotel situated right on the edge of Caniçada reservoir, surrounded by the rare beauty of the Peneda-Gerês National Park.

More info

The land only option allows you to book your own transport to and from the holiday. You will normally meet the group at the arrival airport at 12 a.m as long as you arrive there no later than the group. Similarly, on the way home you can return to the airport with the group as long as your departure time is no earlier than that of the group.

This guided tour already includes a transfer departing from Porto airport at 12 a.m. on arrival day and returning to Porto airport at 12 a.m. on last day.

Departure dates on request.

 

About the Guide

 
Becool Travel

Becool Travel

 

We are Portugal's most trusted walking and cultural company and have been providing services to clients from all over the world for more than 10 years.

All of our trips are fully customisable. We can always work with you to put together exactly what you had in mind. We will listen to you and take care of all the planning and logistics using our local expertise and contacts.

Based on experience, we know that many groups like to mix their activities with some more leisurely aspects, such as good food and cultural highlights. We are happy to put that together for you as well.

Contact us for a truly memorable experience in Portugal!

 
 
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