Walking holiday from hotel to hotel in Peneda - Gerês National Park Portugal 8 days / 7 nights
During this holiday you hike from hotel to hotel, amid magnificent mountain sceneries and rural communities of the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Discover a secret part of Portugal rich in wildlife and nature and climb some of the main mountain ranges in the National Park, such as the Serra de Laboreiro, Serra da Peneda, Serra Amarela and the Serra do Gerês.
Book this holiday to explore an undiscovered part of Portugal and encounter an age-old rural way of life.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrive in Castro Laboreiro, Peneda-Gerês National Park (Portugal)
Castro Laboreiro is the first village in the northern part of the Peneda-Gerês National Park (930 m).
If you arrive early in Castro Laboreiro, you may have the opportunity to explore this wonderful village. You can also climb the mountain (1033m), to visit the Castelo de Castro Laboreiro, an old castle that dates back to the 12th century. The views from the castle are incredible!
Overnight in Castro Laboreiro.
DAY 2: Roman bridges and wildlife in Castro Laboreiro
This hike takes you through some old trails that link villages to their summer pastures, where temporary summer settlements bear testimony to the harsh conditions endured by the local farmers and shepherds. Hiking in the mountains, you may come across the ibex (wild goat) and spot some wolf tracks.
Moderate hike: 12 km Hard hike: 16.86 km Overnight in Castro Laboreiro.
DAY 3: Crossing Serra de Laboreiro and Serra da Peneda
You start hiking on an old pilgrimage route, used by people from Castro Laboreiro to cross the Peneda mountains to arrive at the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda. You end the hike at your hotel close to the Sanctuary.
Moderate hike: 11.83 km Hard hike: 21 km Overnight in Peneda.
DAY 4: Hiking along the Portugal-Spain border
Following some old shepherd trails, you will walk near the Portugal-Spain border. On your way to Lindoso you will hike on the banks of the Laboreiro river, to join the Lima river. This is a scenic hike with traditional villages along the way.
Moderate hike: 15 km Hard hike: 21 km Overnight in Lindoso.
DAY 5: Serra Amarela – ancient shepherd shelters and oak forests
Leaving Lindoso village you hike in the Serra Amarela, one of the main mountain ranges in the National Park. Along the hike, you can enjoy great views over Spain and you can visit several ancient shepherd shelters in the mountain. The last part of the hike takes you on a scenic route through old oak forests, to reach Ermida, a small village in the mountain.
Moderate hike: 15 km Hard hike: 18 km Overnight in Lourido.
DAY 6: From Germil to Campo do Gerês
From the village of Germil, you ascend the Serra Amarela mountain to enjoy the views over the Gerês mountains. You then go downhill while enjoying the views over the Vilarinho das Furnas dam. On the last part of the route, you walk through an oak forest and cross an old roman bridge towards Campo do Gerês, where you finish your hike.
Moderate hike: 13.41 km Hard hike: 18 km Overnight in Campo do Gerês.
DAY 7: Roman roads and thermal springs in Parque Natural da Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés, Spain
Leaving Campo do Gerês, you can enjoy the great views over the Vilarinho das Furnas dam. The hike takes you through Mata da Albergaria woods, one of the most protected areas in the National Park. At Albergaria, some trees are more than 200 years-old. On the second part of the hike, you start hiking on a Roman road to cross the border towards the Parque Natural da Baixa Limia - Serra do Xurés in Spain. The hike ends at outdoor natural hot springs in Xurés, Spain.
Moderate hike: 15 km Hard hike: 21 km Overnight in Lobios, Spain
DAY 8: Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred from Lobios to Porto airport/city.
Trip information
Luggage transfers: The luggage is transferred from hotel to hotel, leaving you free to travel with a small bag to carry your own picnic.
Included:
- 7 nights in double/twin room; (2 and 3 star hotels);
- All breakfasts;
- Private transfer from Porto airport/city to hotel in Castro Laboreiro;
- Private transfer from Lobios to Porto airport/city;
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel;
- Booklet: local maps, hiking notes and recommendations about restaurants;
- Rental Garmin GPS device with tracks for each hiking day;
- Local telephone support.
Optional:
- Extra nights on the tour (on request).
- 7 days / 6 nights holiday: you can miss the hike on day 2 and have a program with 7 days / 6 nights.
