The Peneda-Gerês National Park, simply known as Gerês, is the only National Park in Portugal. It’s a magnificent 700 km2 park in the Northern part of Portugal, in the border regions of Minho, Trás-os-Montes and Galiza, about 100 km from Porto.
Gerês National Park was recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve and is one of Portugal’s most visited natural attractions.
Gerês has over 20 amazing hiking trails that will guide you through colourful paths, breathtaking 360º views, magical waterfalls, valleys and river trails. Some hiking trails can be quite challenging (from 5 up to 20 km) but the reward of swimming in a pristine clear waterfall is totally worth it.
The many waterfalls are definitely the soul of Gerês but there’s so much more to discover – Middle Age castles, ancient villages and of course the local gastronomy!
Gerês National Park is famous for its untouched nature, crystal clear waterfalls, breathtaking views and more than one hundred small villages. The villages were partly renovated in the 1970s but still remained its original character. If you like spending time in nature, enjoy breathtaking views and discover extraordinary landscapes, then Gerês will be perfect for you!
We went to Gerês by car and it was around 4 hours from Lisbon. When we arrived, we directly felt like we’ve stepped into a different time. Some of the ancient villages, like Soajo and Lindoso, will show you exactly how it was back in the days. It was incredible to see how mankind achieved to build those villages and castles on the most epic landscapes.
While exploring Gerês we crossed paths with wild horses, cows, goats and other animals that definitely made our experience better.
The Peneda-Gerês National Park is a vast cross-border florestal area intrinsically connected to Spain. You should definitely try to make a stop in the Spanish village of Torneiro. Here you’ll find Caldas de Lobios, an ancient roman bath where you can enjoy the natural open-air hot waters for free. Since there’s a lot of driving involved, make sure to fill up your gas in Spain. It’s much cheaper and there’s a gas station close by.
Gerês is magical all year, but if you want to explore the river trails and waterfalls, the best time to visit would be in the Spring. During Summer the weather can be too warm and the waterfalls a bit dry.
In Winter you can expect low temperatures and maybe even snow. It’s good if you like to come home after a nice walk through the woods and enjoy the warm fireplace.
Checklist:
- Make sure you get a good pair of waterproof hiking shoes. You will need them for sure!
- Bring a hat for sun protection. And don’t forget your sunscreen!
- Bring water and snacks for the road. You’ll not find anyplace to buy it for miles.
- Try to get up early!
