Pedro DominguesPeneda Gerês National Park is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Portugal, especially if you are looking for a nature experience. It is essentially sought after for its landscapes and viewpoints, mountain villages, but also for its numerous waterfalls and natural lagoons where it is possible to bathe in cold waters.
Places such as Soajo, Lindoso, Castro Laboreiro, Pitões das Júnias or even Fafião are already well known, being excellent starting points for an itinerary in Gerês. Likewise, people already know very well how to get to the 7 Lagoons of Xertelo, the Tahiti or Arado Waterfalls, or even the idyllic Poço Azul.
I’ve been to Gerês several times, and I’ve done a bit of everything, even some of the most difficult mountain trails. I never get tired of the National Park!
In this article I will present you with a 7-day itinerary to visit Gerês, but of course there is much more information on this blog if you want to spend more time in the north of Portugal.
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Gerês Itinerary | Where is the National Park located?
You can get to know better the location of Peneda-Gerês National Park through the images below. It is located in the north of Portugal, right on the border with Spain, namely with the autonomous region of Galicia, province of Ourense. It is the only national park in Portugal.
Peneda Gerês National Park is made up of 5 municipalities, 3 in the district of Viana do Castelo (Melgaço, Arcos de Valdevez and Ponte da Barca), 1 in the district of Braga (Terras de Bouro) and another in the district of Vila Real (Montalegre).
With regard to the mountains that make up the national park, there are 4 in total, which are also identified in the images below: Serra da Peneda, Serra do Soajo, Serra Amarela and Serra do Gerês.
Gerês Itinerary | Useful Tips
Before presenting you with the itinerary to visit Gerês in 7 days, I leave you some tips that I consider very useful, especially for visitors who have never been to the region. In the following sections you can read about when to visit Gerês, what to eat in Gerês, which are the best restaurants, and even where to sleep in the different days of the itinerary.
1. When to visit Gerês?
You must visit Gerês in spring, honestly. This is my main tip, both to find fewer people doing the same as you, and to find less heat hiking in the mountains. Gerês can be very hot in the summer months, and if you want to do longer trails, be prepared for that.
I recommend the month of May as the ideal month to do an itinerary in Gerês, but for those who only have availability in July or August, my tip is to focus only on the places accessible by car, or on the shorter trails.
2. Festivities when visiting Gerês and surroundings
With regard to festivities in the region, on my last visit to Gerês (in May), I participated in an event in Vila do Gerês called Subida da Vezeira. I loved seeing the typical cows moving through the center of the village towards the mountain meadows where they would remain for the next few months. This event is also gastronomic, being possible to eat several typical dishes of the region for only 10€.
You have other events, however:
- Alvarinho and Fumeiro Festival, in Melgaço (April). It’s not exactly in Gerês, but it might be a good reason to discover more of Northern Portugal. This is an excellent gastronomic event that you can combine with the perfect Green Wines from the region while visiting the surroundings of the national park.
- Soajo Handicraft Fair, in July.
- The Pilgrimage of Nossa Senhora da Peneda, in early September.
- The Burial of the Old Father, during Carnival, in Lindoso.
- Malhada Traditional do Centeio, also in Lindoso in July.
- The Carnival of Tourém, very traditional in Portugal, with many masked “caretos”.
- And any Friday the 13th in Montalegre!
3. Rent a Car for your itinerary in Gerês + Travel Insurance
For an itinerary in Gerês like the one I am going to recommend in this article, you must have a car, otherwise it will be impossible to do what I propose in just 7 days.
Also take out travel insurance to visit Gerês, mainly because of all the trails and mountain activities, which are much more susceptible to accidents and setbacks. In Gerês accidents happen every year, and not just with less experienced people!
>>> Rent a Car with Discover Cars to visit Gerês
>>> Travel Insurance with World Nomads
4. Entrance Gates to PNPG
I believe that this article will have all the necessary information to prepare a complete itinerary in Gerês, but of course I need to tell you about the 5 entrances to the PNPG, each located in one of the park’s municipalities. They are a kind of tourist offices, dedicated to receiving visitors, letting them know all things to do in Gerês, in the municipality in question.
If you have any extra questions, you can always ask me in the comments below, and in parallel you can also get in touch with these PNPG “entrance doors”:
- Entrance at Lamas de Mouro, in the municipality of Melgaço.
- Entrance at Mezio, in the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez.
- Entrance at Lindoso, in the municipality of Ponte da Barca.
- Entrance at Campo do Gerês, in the municipality of Terras de Bouro.
- Entrance at Montalegre, in the municipality of Montalegre.
All are located in strategic locations in the national park.
5. Code of Conduct for visitors to Gerês
Before setting out on the Gerês trails, carefully read the ICNF code of conduct, so that you are aware of all the basic rules for safety and nature preservation in the protected areas of the PNPG.
6. PNPG Protected Areas + Authorizations
The PNPG Protection Areas, referred to in the ICNF Code of Conduct, can be of three types, as can be read below.
- Total Protection Zone – can be visited on trails (maximum 10 people per group), but requires ICNF authorization, to be obtained via email to [email protected] at least one week in advance. In this email you must send:
- Your address and contact.
- The number of people who will take the trail.
- The date you will do this with the estimated start and end time.
- And also the .kml file of the route.
- Type 1 Partial Protection Zone – ICNF authorization is required, by the same means, but only for groups of over 10 people.
- And Type 2 Partial Protection Zone – ICNF authorization is required, through the channels indicated above, but only for groups of over 15 people.
Of all the trails I walked in Gerês, only two crossed the total protection zone: the 7 bridges trail, in Mata de Albergaria, and the Messe Meadows trail. In this itinerary to visit Gerês in 7 days, I do not include the second one, and in the case of Mata de Albergaria, I do not recommend that you take the route beyond Ponte Feia, so as not to cross this Total Protection Zone.
Note that any area of Gerês may be closed during periods of high risk of forest fire, regardless of whether or not it is a total protection zone. Also note that in the image below, the darker color is related to Total Protection Zone. The lighter color of green is type II, and the other is type I.
7. Other precautionary advice for visiting Gerês and hiking
- Don’t walk alone. Always take someone with you, especially on the more difficult and unofficial routes in Gerês. Prepare and carry a first aid kit with you, which we hope will never be needed.
- Do not visit Gerês on rainy days or shortly after it rains. Or, at least, don’t do trails in these conditions, as the rocky terrain (which is very common around here) can be slippery and cause a fatal fall in certain places.
- Never risk your safety for a simple photo!
- Always consider your experience and fitness in any decision.
- Do not do the trails in shorts, so that the vegetation does not bother or scratch your legs. You can always change your clothes in the lagoons or next to the waterfalls, to bathe in their waters. 😉
- Apply plenty of sunscreen, especially in summer. Take a bathing suit and towel with you, obviously.
- Choose the ideal footwear for your itinerary in Gerês. The mountain is no place for flip flops.
- Take plenty of water and enough food for the trails, especially if you are going to do the longer ones. Canned food is an excellent option for mountain hikes.
- Start the hardest activities or long walks early in the morning, at the crack of dawn.
- Take a power bank with you, so you don’t run out of battery on your cell phone.
- Walk as light as possible!
Please do not leave rubbish along the mountain trails or near the natural waterfalls and ponds of Gerês. Preserve the beauty of Portugal’s unique National Park!
8. Offline or Wikiloc maps to visit Gerês
I recommend that you pay a subscription to wikiloc, so that you can follow the trails directly in the app, and in offline mode. However, you can download the .kml and .gpx files for free and load them into any free offline map application. In my article about the best trails in Gerês, I describe how to use offline and wikiloc maps, and how to download these files.
9. Guided Tours to visit Peneda Gerês National Park
How about taking guided tours, or even canyoning tours or just accompanied trails? Below I leave some possibilities available.
- From Porto: Guided Tour to Gerês in a small group.
- From Porto: Guided Jeep Tour to Gerês with lunch.
- From Porto or Braga: Guided Tour to Gerês with Kayak activity.
- From Porto: Canyoning Experience in Peneda Gerês
- From Porto: Guided trail in Gerês.
- Trail next to Sistelo village.
- Kayak Experience at River Vez
- Paddle Experience at river Vez.
- Guided Tour through the Villages of Northern Portugal.
9. What to eat when visiting Gerês?
The gastronomy of the Gerês region is fabulous and very diverse.
- In Melgaço you have Fumeiro and Alvarinho wine. You also find good lamb there.
- In Arcos de Valdevez, especially in Soajo, you can eat very well, and Cachena meat has to be your choice. Be sure to try also Pão de Ló!
- In Ponte da Barca, Cabrito and Papas de Sarrabulho stand out. But you can also find excellent lampreys, trout or shads in the Lima River.
- Moving on to Terras de Bouro and Montalegre, the highlights are the barrosã veal, the chanfana, the barrosã stew and the typical bean stew from Minho.
- Delight yourself with Pudding Abade de Priscos, traditional from Braga, but which can be found all over the district.
10. Restaurants in Gerês
The best restaurant where I ate in Gerês was Saber ao Borralho, in Soajo. It’s the place to go, without fail! I also ate very well near Albufeira da Caniçada, and in Vila do Gerês, namely in the following restaurants:
- Lurdes Capela (Vila do Gerês) – there is a craft beer to try!
- Petiscos da Bó Gusta (Vila do Gerês)
- Adega do Ramalho (Vilar de Veiga)
- Cávado Restaurant (Rio Caldo)
In the Montalegre area, don’t miss Casa do Preto, in Pitões das Júnias, and Fojo dos Lobos, in Fafião.
11. Where to sleep when visiting Gerês?
Here are tips for sleeping in several key places in Gerês, such as Castro Laboreiro, Soajo, Vilar de Veiga, Vila do Gerês, Ermida, Fafião and Pitões das Júnias.
Accommodation tips in Castro Laboreiro
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| House Fonte do Laboreiro | 9.6 | Castro Laboreiro |
| Hotel Miracastro | 7.6 | Castro Laboreiro |
| Just Natur GuestHouse | 8.9 | Castro Laboreiro |
Accommodation tips in Soajo and surroundings
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| House Rautau | 9.3 | Soajo |
| House Riobom | 9.3 | Soajo |
| House of Raposeira | 9.3 | Soajo |
| Houses of Cavaleiro | 9.7 | Soajo |
| House Gandarela | 9.5 | Soajo |
| House of Bairros | 9.2 | Soajo |
| House of Pereiró | 9.4 | Soajo |
| RH Country House | 9.5 | Lindoso |
| House Fecha | 9.1 | Lindoso |
| Cerca dos Passais | 8.9 | Entre Ambos os Rios |
| Houses of Peneda | 8.8 | Gavieira |
| Houses of Cabecinhos | 8.8 | Paradamonte |
Accommodation tips in Vilar de Veiga and Vila do Gerês
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Pôr do Sol Lodge | 8.9 | Vilar da Veiga |
| Lake House | 8.6 | Vilar da Veiga |
| Verde Pinho | 8.7 | Vilar da Veiga |
| Beleza da Serra | 8.7 | Vilar da Veiga |
| Hotel Eco Salvador | 8.7 | Vilar da Veiga |
| Galicia Guesthouse | 8.7 | Vilar da Veiga |
| EIDO House | 9.0 | Vilar da Veiga |
| Blue Lagoon of Gerês | 8.5 | Vilar da Veiga |
| Hotel Central Garden | 8.7 | Vila do Gerês |
| Águas do Gerês Hotel | 8.2 | Vila do Gerês |
| Horizonte do Gerês | 8.9 | Vila do Gerês |
| Residencial Ribeiro | 8.9 | Vila do Gerês |
Accommodation tips in Fafião and surroundings
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Retiro do Gerês | 8.8 | Fafião |
| Hotel Rural Misarela | 8.8 | Sidros |
| Oficina do Joe | 9.5 | Outeiro |
| House Albelo do Gerês | 9.4 | Outeiro |
| House Baranda | 8.9 | Ermida |
| Encosta de Louredo | 9.2 | Louredo – Vieira do Minho |
| DOBAU Village | 9.1 | Louredo – Vieira do Minho |
Accommodation tips in Pitões das Júnias
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Casa do Preto | 9.3 | Pitões Das Júnias |
Gerês itinerary in 7 days | Things to do and see
With regard to what to do in Gerês in a 7-day itinerary, I start by sharing a map with all the tourist attractions to mention. These are just the really essential places, as 7 days are too few to visit this region and discover all its secrets. Consider this as an itinerary to do on your first visit to Gerês.
I organized this travel guide in the following structure:
- Day 1 | Gerês Itinerary – Serra da Peneda
- Day 2 | Gerês Itinerary – Serra do Soajo and Serra Amarela
- Day 3 | Gerês Itinerary – Mata de Albergaria and Serra do Xurés
- Day 4 | Gerês Itinerary – Hike from Arado Waterfall to Poço Azul + Caniçada Dam
- Day 5 | Gerês Itinerary – Ermida, Fafião and Pincães
- Day 6 | Gerês Itinerary – 7 Lagoons of Xertelo and Cela Cavalos Waterfall
- Day 7 | Gerês Itinerary – Pitões das Júnias and surroundings
Map | Gerês Itinerary
Day 1 | Gerês Itinerary – Serra da Peneda
On the 1st day of this itinerary to visit Peneda Gerês National Park, you will discover its Serra da Peneda, from Castro Laboreiro to Soajo, passing by the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda and also by the mountain villages of Gavieira and Tibo.
Itinerary for the 1st day in Gerês
1. Castro Laboreiro
In Castro Laboreiro, visit the main church and the pillory, then head to the Alborreca Viewpoint to admire the successive waterfalls of the village. Don’t forget to go up to the Castle, for an impressive view of Serra da Peneda.
All the previous places must be visited on foot, and for that I recommend this wikiloc route, not forgetting the detour to the aforementioned waterfalls. It’s an easy hike, about 3 km long. The viewpoint from the castle is fabulous at sunrise!
2. Cava da Velha Bridge
Another place not to be missed is the Cava da Velha Bridge, on the outskirts of Castro Laboreiro. It is a bridge of Roman origin, dating from the 1st century, which blends in perfectly with the landscape. There is a natural lagoon there, where you can bathe, but I recommend you skip it, as better places await you later. 😉
3. Trail to Pontes Waterfall and Poço do Contador
On the way to the village of Pontes you will pass by Dorna bridge, less imposing than the previous one. The village itself is the most beautiful in the Castro Laboreiro region, in my opinion, and its short 3km trail allows you to pass by an old aqueduct, a waterfall and even a lagoon (Poço do Contador), ideal for a swim.
4. Hike to Malho Waterfalls
You can reach Malho Waterfalls from Ribeiro de Baixo, in Castro Laboreiro region, although this is not the most common route. These waterfalls also have spectacular lagoons, accessible only by canyoning. On this walk you will find its impressive viewpoint, which is totally worth the effort.
- Hike on Wikiloc – only 6 km (round trip) from Ribeiro de Baixo. No marks, you need to bring an offline map with you.
5. Cainheiras Viewpoint and Lady of Numão
Depending on what time of day you arrive at this part of the itinerary, you may have to make a few choices. If you feel like you don’t have much time, skip these two places.
- Lady of Numão is reached by a dirt road, but you can drive there, or at least it was possible the last time I visited the place. It has a picnic area, a small sanctuary and brutal landscape surroundings, with large rocky cliffs.
- Cainheiras Viewpoint, in turn, is one of the best panoramas in Castro Laboreiro region, being easily accessible on the following coordinates: 42.02664, -8.13707.
6. Rodeiro Waterfall
Closing Castro Laboreiro region is Rodeiro Waterfall. It is imposing, at least in spring, and is only half a kilometer from the village with the same name.
7. Nossa Senhora da Peneda Sanctuary
Consider the Entrance Gate of Lamas de Mouro just as a passing point, unless you want to gather more information there for your itinerary.
Just head to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda, next to which you will find the Peneda Waterfall. In the Sanctuary, the Staircase of Virtues undoubtedly stands out, with statues representing Faith, Hope, Charity and Glory.
8. Gavieira and Tibo Viewpoints
To end the first day of this itinerary in the Peneda Gerês National Park, nothing like watching a sunset at Tibo Viewpoint, one of the most spectacular in the PNPG, and from where you can see the entire region from Gavieira to São Bento do Cando and also to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda.
A simpler but equally beautiful viewpoint is that of Gavieira, between the aforementioned Sanctuary and Tibo Viewpoint. It’s just optional.
Where to sleep on the 1st day of Gerês Itinerary?
My recommendation is clearly Soajo. You can take the opportunity to visit the village of Soajo at night, and eat at Saber ao Borralho Restaurant.
Casa Rautau | Casa de Riobom | Casinha da Raposeira | Casas do Cavaleiro | Casa da Gandarela | Casa de Bairros | Casa de Pereiró
Day 2 | Gerês Itinerary – Serra do Soajo and Serra Amarela
Your 2nd day will start in Mezio, followed by a visit to the village of Soajo, Lindoso, Ermida, Germil and finally Campo do Gerês.
Itinerary for the 2nd day in Gerês
1. Mezio Swing and Porta do Sol Viewpoint
At sunrise, head to Mezio, and visit its Swing and Porta do Sol (sun’s door) Viewpoint. Mezio has another entrance gate to the national park, and in addition to the two sites mentioned, you can optionally also visit the megalithic monuments.
2. Lagoons of Travanca
For a morning swim, there’s nothing better than the Travanca lagoons, also in Mezio. They have wooden walkways that allow you to get closer to the stream, making better use of the landscape.
3. Viewpoint of Coto Velho and Soajo (lagoons and granaries)
On the way back to Soajo, pass by the Viewpoint of Coto Velho, which allows an unobstructed view of the village and the surrounding region.
In the village itself, you will at least have to walk through the historic center next to Eiró Square, and visit Granaries of Soajo (Espigueiros, in Portuguese), dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
You will visit many nice lagoons throughout this day, and in Soajo you have 4 to choose from for a bath in the Adrão River:
- Poço das Mantas, artificial, but prepared for everyone! It’s the easiest to access and is perfect even for kids!
- Poço Negro do Soajo, with easy access but many stones next to the lagoon. It’s pretty, but it’s not my favorite.
- Poço das Canejas or Poço do Bento, which I like the most.
- Or the lagoon next to the old Ladeira Bridge. For this and the previous one, it is necessary to walk a little.
4. Lindoso – Granaries, Castle and Poço da Gola
Lindoso’s granaries are arguably more impressive than Soajo’s, as there are many more. They are located next to Lindoso Castle and the entrance to the PNPG in the municipality of Ponte da Barca.
Be sure to stroll through the center of Lindoso, getting to know some of its picturesque alleys and also its main fountains.
Still in the region, you can optionally visit Poço da Gola. Another good lagoon to discover if you have time, with easy access and no need for trails.
5. Ermida Waterfalls and Lagoons
Next is the region of Ermida, which can be reached via Entre Ambos-os-Rios. As with the visit to Soajo and Lindoso, you will have several waterfalls and lagoons at your disposal:
- Poço da Baraceira, more difficult to reach, but much superior, in my opinion. Access is via the small path at these coordinates. Get ready for dense vegetation (approximately 2-3 km round trip).
- Poço da Carcerelha.
- And Ermida Waterfall and Poço Negro.
For the last two, access is easier, as they are on the side of the road. However, I recommend that you limit yourself to the viewpoints and use those in Soajo for bathing. 🙂 Don’t forget to go up to the viewpoint of Ermida, and visit the village that for me is one of the most authentic of this Itinerary in Gerês.
6. Village of Germil
Another very beautiful village in Serra Amarela is Germil. In spring, the streets are filled with fragrant flowers. 😉 Be sure to admire Fojo do Lobo de Germil, a V-shaped construction that was used to capture the Iberian Wolf in the past, when the species was not yet protected.
7. Cutelo and Dam of Vilarinho das Furnas
Cutelo is another very typical village in the region, so you should visit it if you have time. The day is coming to an end, so a long stop at the Vilarinho das Furnas dam is unlikely, but be aware that the reservoir takes its name from the village that was submerged when it started operating in the early 1970s. It may be possible to see the ruins of the old village if you follow the trail that starts next to the reservoir, in times of less water.
Where to sleep on the 2nd day of Gerês Itinerary?
Go to sleep in Campo do Gerês or Vilar de Veiga and surroundings. I, for one, really enjoyed staying at Pôr do Sol Lodge, which could be a great base for the next three days!
Day 3 | Gerês Itinerary – Mata de Albergaria and Serra do Xurés
On the 3rd day you will visit the ancient Roman Geira that crosses Mata de Albergaria, and the best lagoons and waterfalls that the forest has to offer. You will then follow this ancient route to Galician lands to discover more spectacular lagoons in Serra do Xurés, one of which has hot waters. 😉
Itinerary for the 3rd day in Gerês
1. Campo do Gerês and Geira Romana Museum
Start the day with a visit to the center of São João do Campo do Gerês, a very beautiful village in the national park. Afterwards, head to the Entrance Gate in Terras de Bouro, where you can visit some museum spaces, of which I highlight:
- A museum about the history of Vilarinho da Furna, the aforementioned underwater village.
- And a museum related to the Roman Geira with several interesting models representing the road in Roman times.
2. Viewpoints of the Caniçada Dam
After visiting Campo do Gerês, head towards Mata de Albergaria and Portela do Homem, until you find Geira Romana. Along the route, I recommend that you pass by Mirante Velho, with a privileged view of Caniçada Dam.
Of course, there are other spectacular viewpoints to Caniçada, but focus on them only if you have more time at the end of this day, for a beautiful sunset:
- Junceda Viewpoint
- Boneca Viewpoint – the only one that really requires a longer walk.
- Viewpoint of Voltas de São Bento
- And Fraga Negra Viewpoint
3. Laja and Leonte Waterfalls
As with the previous viewpoints, consider Laja Waterfall as an option, as there are other much more impressive places to discover on this day. Leonte Waterfall, however, is right next to the road, so you can’t miss it when heading to Portela do Homem. If you really want to walk to them, follow this trail called “sloth trail”.
4. Mata de Albergaria and Waterfall of Portela do Homem
First of all, I should mention that crossing Mata de Albergaria by car requires paying a toll between June and September. It is also worth mentioning that parking inside the forest is very restricted, and if the national park rangers catch you parking incorrectly, you will be fined for sure! Pay attention to the information panels available!
The route by car to Portela do Homem will be, in itself, visually very appealing, but of course it does not surpass the route that can be done on foot.
I recommend that you take the trail that goes from Portela do Homem to Ponte Feia, returning to the starting point by making a detour to São Miguel Waterfall. In this way, authorizations are not necessary because you will not need to enter the Total Protection Zone. 😉 It’s a walk through the ancient Roman Geira, and along the way you’ll see historical landmarks from that era!
5. Lobios Thermal Pool
The mentioned Roman Geira connected Braga to Astorga, that is, the ancient Bracara Augusta to Asturica Augusta, having 215 miles of extension. For this reason, the Roman Geira crosses the border to Galicia at Portela do Homem, and I recommend that you do the same, driving to Os Baños, where the public (and free!) Thermal Pool of Lobios is located. The water is really hot and access is really free! 😉
6. Pozo da Seima
Even if you don’t have the courage to go for a swim there, it is mandatory to visit the huge Pozo da Seima, or Dark Lagoon, which is reached by a trail of about 2 km (round trip) from the village of A Cela. The path is always downhill until you get there, and always uphill on the way back, with enough slope to leave you breathless! 😉
7. Pozo Caído
Pozo Caído is another natural jewel of Serra do Xurés. Access is very easy, being at a short distance from the River Beach of the Pacín River. In this one you really have to go for a swim, and if you have time, try to know other lagoons in the vicinity, namely the ones called Pozas de Cirolos.
8. Village of Aceredo
Finally, go for a drive along the Lima River, even if Alto Lindoso dam is full of water and the ruins of the village of Aceredo are covered. You will always find good viewpoints.
Where to sleep on the 3rd day of Gerês Itinerary?
Return to Vilar de Veiga to stay in the same accommodation as the day before. For example, Pôr do Sol Lodge, where I really enjoyed staying, overlooking the Caniçada Dam.
Day 4 | Gerês Itinerary – Hike from Arado Waterfall to Poço Azul + Caniçada Dam
On the fourth day of your itinerary in Gerês, I recommend that you take my favorite hike in the national park, which starts at Arado Waterfall and continues to Poço Azul, but making a long detour to Rocalva Meadow.
This hike is difficult and technical, so I recommend that you prepare carefully and do a self-assessment to decide whether or not you have the necessary physical capacity and experience to do it.
It’s an unmarked and unofficial hike that you’ll have to follow on an offline map! It is a trail with a positive slope of about 700 meters and is about 14km long! It’s a trail to start early, as you’ll need a whole day to complete it.
Along the way, it passes through several beautiful meadows in Serra do Gerês, such as the meadows of Giesteira, Coriscada, Arrocela (near which I saw mountain goats), Cando, Rocalva and Vidoeirinho. It also allows a visit to one of the most idyllic lagoons in Gerês, Poço Azul (blue lagoon, in english), which is actually green. 😉
If you feel that you are not prepared to do this, below are other tips to occupy this 4th day of Gerês Itinerary:
- You can choose to go only to Poço Azul, taking a shorter and easier version of the trail, avoiding the climb to Rocalva. It’s not quite as spectacular, however.
- If you don’t feel comfortable doing the trail to Poço Azul, consider this day as an opportunity to discover the river beaches of Caniçada Dam, such as Alqueirão River Beach.
- How about taking a boat trip on the Caniçada Dam, or even canoeing or SUP?
- Visit Vila do Gerês, in particular the fabulous Thermal Park.
Regardless of your final decision, end the day with a visit to the Sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta, the most important and visited religious site in the National Park, and be sure to visit Pedra Bela Viewpoint.
Below I leave you with some pictures of the places I mentioned.
Itinerary for the 4th day in Gerês
1. Arado Waterfall
2. Meadow of Arrocela
3. Meadow of Cando
4. Meadow of Rocalva
5. Meadow of Vidoeirinho
6. Poço Azul in Gerês
7. Pedra Bela Viewpoint
8. Thermal Park of Vila do Gerês
9. River Beach of Alqueirão
In the image below you can see Caniçada dam with a lot of water, so the beach sand was covered. It is a picture taken on a May visit.
10. São Bento da Porta Aberta
Where to sleep on the 4th day of Gerês Itinerary?
On the 4th day of this itinerary in Gerês, go back to sleep in Vilar de Veiga area, in the same accommodation as the 2 previous nights, if you so wish. I already gave you my main recommendation: Pôr do Sol Lodge, where I stayed and I really enjoyed it!
Day 5 | Gerês Itinerary – Ermida, Fafião and Pincães
On the 5th day, you will visit the most impressive waterfall in Gerês (that I know): Tahiti Waterfall. But there are two other waterfalls to discover, and some more natural lagoons in Gerês. Let’s do it?
Itinerary for the 5th day in Gerês
1. Rajada Waterfall in Ermida
The Rajada Waterfall is really beautiful, and to visit it you can take a trail of about 7 km. This walk allows you to discover the viewpoint of Ermida, the village itself, but also the viewpoints of Vela, Silhas and Fraga do Justo. The trail is relatively easy and is well marked!
2. Tahiti Waterfall
The Tahiti Waterfall is for me the most spectacular of this itinerary, but it is also known for being very dangerous, and a place where people have died. Therefore, you must be very careful there, following all the rules of not entering the lagoons to swim! Despite the waterfall being on the side of the road that goes from Ermida to Fafião, access to its base is very complicated, do not do it if you see the rocks wet, as a fall there can be fatal!
3. Fafião – Poço Verde, Poço da Cancela and Pigarreira Bridge
Of these three places that you can discover by visiting Fafião, only Poço Verde (green lagoon) needs a trail to reach it: about 3km from Fafião Viewpoint. However, I recommend that you take a longer route that unites all these places, which is approximately 7km long, starting from the center of the village. The route also passes through Fojo do Lobo de Fafião.
4. Pincães Waterfall
Another of the villages on this 5th day itinerary through Gerês is Pincães, from which you can access the small hike to Pincães Waterfall, about 3.5 km long (round trip). It’s an easy walk.
5. Misarela Bridge
End the day at Misarela Bridge, also known as Devil’s Bridge. This is a place of many legends, and very strong waterfalls that will impress you for sure! 😉 I recommend walking to the bridge from the entrance on Vieira do Minho side.
Where to sleep on the 5th day of Gerês Itinerary?
Ideally, stay in Fafião area, for example at Retiro do Gerês, or at the Hotel Rural Misarela.
Day 6 | Gerês Itinerary – 7 Lagoons of Xertelo and Cela Cavalos Waterfall
On the 6th day of this Gerês Itinerary you will do another of my favorite hikes in the national park: the 7 Lagoons trail, in Xertelo. You will also discover another spectacular spot of the region known as Cela Cavalos Waterfall.
Itinerary for the 6th day in Gerês
1. Hike to the 7 Lagoons of Xertelo + Teixo Lagoon
As far as the 7 Lagoons are concerned, I recommend taking the shortest and easiest hike, which follows a linear route from Xertelo. That way you can spend more time enjoying them, and even walk to Teixo Lagoon which is very close (optional), and still return to the starting point in time to have almost an entire afternoon of activities elsewhere.
In total, it will be about 11 to 12km to reach the lagoons and return, but the hike is relatively easy, with only about 270 meters of positive slope.
2. Cela Cavalos Waterfall
I would also love to recommend the hike to Poço Dola, however, you won’t have time to do it in just 7 days. If you have more time, you should definitely do it, but consider it difficult.
The first part of this hike to Poço Dola consists of visiting the impressive Cela Cavalos Waterfall, just 5 km from Cela (round trip). This you must do even with only 7 days.
3. Sirvozelo, Paradela Waterfall and Paredes do Rio
The mandatory points of this 6th day are the previous ones. You might even prefer to ignore these next 3 to stay longer next to the Cela Cavalos Waterfall, which has a small lagoon for a swim.
- Sirvozelo and Paredes do Rio are two very interesting villages in the region, and very rural. The second has a set of recovered mills that you can visit.
- In Paradela I discovered by chance a beautiful waterfall, but much less impressive than the previous ones. You must also stop next to Paradela Dam Walls.
Where to sleep on the 6th day of Gerês Itinerary?
Choose to sleep in Pitões das Júnias, which you can visit in detail the next day. My suggestion is Casa do Preto.
Day 7 | Gerês Itinerary – Pitões das Júnias and surroundings
On the 7th day, you’ll start by walking very early in Pitões das Júnias, but it will be a calmer day than the previous ones, so you can prepare your trip back home, or to another region of Portugal.
Itinerary for the 7th day in Gerês
1. Hike to the Chapel of São João da Fraga + Caldeiras do Pereira
If there is a place that I loved visiting the most in Pitões das Júnias, it was the Chapel of São João da Fraga, with an impressive view from the top of the large rocky mountain where it is located, in the middle of nowhere.
The walk I took was the one from this link, with the variation of the photo below to go through Curral de Vergaças and Curral de Rebolo da Porca. We are talking about 12km with more than 500 meters of positive slope, which is a bit difficult.
As a reward, on the way back to Pitões das Júnias, you can stop at Caldeiras do Pereira, excellent lagoons for a swim when the sun starts to hit hard.
2. Pitões das Júnias Waterfall
Much easier than the previous route is the one to the viewpoint of Pitões das Júnias Waterfall. You will find there nice wooden walkways. 😉
3. Monastery of Santa Maria das Júnias
The same goes for the Monastery of Santa Maria das Júnias, which dates back to the 9th century, and where monks of the Cistercian Order lived until 1834, when religious orders were extinguished in Portugal.
4. Tourém and Encoro de Salas
Optional is Tourém, although I really enjoyed the surrounding landscape, especially as I approached Encoro de Salas. Next to the dam wall, on the Spanish side, there are several megalithic monuments.
Gerês Itinerary in 5 days | Things to do and see
What if you have less time to visit Peneda Gerês National Park? How to prepare your 5-day itinerary?
Day 1 | Gerês Itinerary – From Castro Laboreiro to Soajo
- Visit Castro Laboreiro Castle, the town center and the Laboreiro Waterfall. Ignore all other locations in the surroundings, which I mentioned in the 7-day itinerary.
- Proceed to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda.
- Pass by the Tibo Viewpoint.
- Visit Mezio (swing, Porta do Sol viewpoint and Travanca Lagoons).
- Visit Soajo, ending the day in one of the mentioned lagoons there: Poço das Mantas, Poço Negro, or Poço das Canejas.
Day 2 | Gerês Itinerary – Lindoso, Serra do Xurés and Mata de Albergaria
- In this 5-day itinerary, you will ignore the region of Ermida, Germil, Vilarinho da Furnas and Campo do Gerês, despite being incredible.
- Visit Lindoso, its granaries and the castle.
- Cross the border to Galicia, visiting the best lagoons in Serra do Xurés: Pozo Caído and Pozo da Seima.
- Relax in the open-air public thermal baths of Lobios, in Os Baños.
- Hike through Mata de Albergaria, passing by Ponte Feia and the Portela do Homem Waterfall.
- Pass by Leonte Waterfall towards Vila do Gerês.
Day 3 | Gerês Itinerary – Hike to Poço Azul + Caniçada Dam
- Hike from Cascata do Arado to Poço Azul, passing by Rocalva meadow, as this is the best walk to do in Gerês (in my opinion).
- If you don’t have the experience or the right characteristics to do so, then opt for a day to discover the tourist attractions of Caniçada Dam: river beaches, water activities, and viewpoints.
- Visit Pedra Bela Viewpoint.
- Visit São Bento da Porta Aberta.
Day 4 | Gerês Itinerary – Ermida, Fafião and Pincães
It will be a day of waterfalls!
- Visit Rajada Waterfall (take the fastest route, just to the waterfall and back – approximately 4km, without going to the viewpoints).
- Visit the Tahiti Waterfall.
- Visit Fafião: Poço da Cancela, Fojo dos Lobos, village, viewpoint and Poço Verde.
- Visit Pincães Waterfall
- Visit the Misarela Bridge.
Day 5 | Gerês Itinerary – 7 Lagoons of Xertelo, Cela Cavalos Waterfall and Pitões das Júnias
- Visit the 7 Lagoons of Xertelo (ignore Teixo Lagoon mentioned for the 7-day itinerary in Gerês).
- Visit Cela Cavalos Waterfall.
- Continue to Pitões das Júnias, and visit only the monastery and the waterfall viewpoint.
- If you find that you don’t have time to go to Pitões das Júnias, leave it for a future opportunity, and take advantage of the two previous places.
Gerês Itinerary in 3 days | Things to do and see
With only 3 days you should focus only on Serra do Gerês and Caniçada area, leaving the other locations of the national park for a future trip.
- Do the hike to Poço Azul, passing by Rocalva, as I’ve already mentioned! 😉 It’s spectacular!
- Walk the 7 Lagoons trail from Xertelo.
- Do water activities in Caniçada Dam and visit some of its viewpoints.
- Visit São Bento da Porta Aberta.
- Visit the Tahiti Waterfall and also the ones located in Mata de Albergaria.
Gerês Itinerary | Things to do if you have more than 7 days?
If you have more than 7 days to visit the Peneda Gerês National Park, below are some good options to follow. 😉
1. Sistelo Viewpoints and Walkways
Go visit Sistelo, which despite not being part of the national park, is a point of great interest next to it, with agricultural terraces that are a landscape monument in Portugal. Sistelo is also one of the 7 villages classified as wonders of the country.
- Visit the center of Sistelo, paying attention to the granaries, to the church and to the Viscount House, where the Sistelo Landscape Interpretation Center is located.
- Stroll along the Sistelo Walkways, with a total of 2km, which pass next to the Sistelo River Beach, where you can bathe.
- Do the entire Ecovia do Vez, if you have time.
- Admire the landscape full of agricultural terraces from the two main viewpoints in Sistelo: Estrica Viewpoint and Socalcos Viewpoint.
- With more availability, how about walking the Brandas do Sistelo trail?
2. Brandas da Aveleira, Santo António de Vale de Poldros and São Bento do Cando
These 3 “brandas” are close to each other and to the limits of the national park, less than 10km from Gavieira. “Brandas” were settlements used in the warmer months, as they were located at the top of the mountain range, where pastures for cattle abounded. In the winter months, “Inverneiras” were used at the base of the mountain. 😉
They are spectacular places to sleep, for example, due to the rural and isolated environment in which they are located. You’ll love discovering the Cardenhas, rudimentary houses that were used by shepherds in the summer.
3. Lagoon of the Druids in Tibo
I haven’t mentioned Druids Lagoon in this article yet, but it is absolutely spectacular and is about 5km from Tibo.
- Access: moderate difficulty.
- Link to the walk on wikiloc.
- Coordinates: 41.934790, -8.233060
4. Lagoons of Grade
Other brutal lagoons are those of Grade, not far from Mezio. They are on the Ázere River and access is relatively easy.
5. Ecovia do Ermelo
You can also take the Ecovia do Ermelo, an easy route along Lima river, which allows you to visit the Romanesque monastery of Ermelo, and even go for a swim in the ponds next to the old bridge. It’s about 10km in total, if you do it all.
6. Chão de Além Lagoon in Entre Ambos-os-Rios
I did not mention this lagoon in the 7-day itinerary, as I think there are better ones in the Ermida region, but you will find it easily accessible, and it deserves to be highlighted as an extra point for a broader itinerary.
7. Germil Waterfall
About 500 meters from the village of Germil you will find its waterfall. This one I haven’t visited yet, but it’s on the list for when I return to Gerês in the future.
8. Vilarinho das Furnas trail
This trail is linear and goes from the Vilarinho das Furnas dam to its river beach. Highlight for the Waterfall of Gemesura River that you will find along the way.
9. Hike to the Messe Meadows
The Hike to the Messe Meadows requires authorization from ICNF (see Total Protection Areas section of this article). It has no lagoons or waterfalls, but it has some of the most impressive landscapes in the national park, such as the Viewpoint to Teixeira Valley, and the Meadows of Vidoal, Lomba de Pau, Conho and Messe.
10. Mines of Carris and Pico da Nevosa
Pico da Nevosa is another place that I haven’t been to yet, but which is among the places I most want to visit in the near future. It is the highest point in Peneda Gerês National Park, and very difficult to reach. Check this link, but pay attention to the fact that it also needs authorization from ICNF.
11. Vezeira de Fafião Trail
Another one I haven’t done yet. Check this link.
12. Corga do Sobroso Lagoons and Waterfalls
These lagoons and waterfalls are spectacular, but much more difficult to reach than the 7 lagoons of Xertelo already mentioned, or even Teixo Lagoon. They are, in fact, available on a longer route that passes through them all. It is a really, really difficult hike to do.
13. Poço Dola and Biduiças Meadow
You really have to go to Poço Dola after visiting the Cela Cavalos Waterfall. I already told you about it, and next is a picture. 😉
14. Barrondas Waterfall
The Barrondas Waterfall is not as interesting as others already mentioned in this article, but if you have time, you can reach it from the village Travassos do Rio, in the municipality of Montalegre. There is clear marking there, indicating 5km round trip.
15. Municipal Centers: Melgaço, Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte da Barca, Terras de Bouro and Montalegre
- Melgaço has a pleasant historic center with a castle.
- Arcos de Valdevez has the medieval bridge and the river beach of Valletta, for example.
- Ponte da Barca has the fabulous bridge! 😉
- Terras de Bouro has walkways along the river called Homem (man, in english).
- Montalegre has its castle and its traditions. And on the outskirts of Montalegre, don’t forget Vilarinho dos Negrões and the 2nd highest mountain in mainland Portugal: Serra do Larouco!
16. More places in Baixa Limia Natural Park (Serra do Xurés)
On the Galician side, in Serra do Xurés, you can consider even more places, such as:
- Corga da Fecha Waterfall Trail
- Fervenza das Olas
- Aquis Querquennis and the Public Thermal Baths of Bande.
Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal
- N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
- Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
- São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Pico Itinerary in Azores
- Faial Itinerary in Azores
- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Porto Itinerary and Travel Guide
- Things to do In Braga (Minho)
- Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Things to do in Leiria
- Things to do in Fatima
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
- Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
- Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
- Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
- Things to do in Portimão (Algarve)
- Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
- Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)
I hope enjoy doing this Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary in the North of Portugal as much as I did. 😉 If this article was useful for you, please send me your feedback below, in the comment section.
