Inn to inn walking holiday Gerês National Park North Portugal
During this holiday you hike from hotel to hotel, amid magnificent mountain sceneries and rural communities of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only National Park in Portugal!
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 tour 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.
Easy hike: 8 km Moderate 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.
Easy hike: 11.83 km Moderate hike: 21 km
Overnight in Peneda.
Day 4: From Peneda to Soajo - pleanty of views over Gerês N.P
Following some old shepherd trails, you will walk through many traditional villages.
On your way to Soajo you will discover many viewpoints from where you can enjoy the stunning views over Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Easy hike: 8 km Moderate hike: 21 km
Overnight in Soajo.
Day 5: From Soajo to Lindoso
Leaving Soajo, you can enjoy the great views over the Lima Valley. This hike takes you through several traditional villages in the National Park.
Easy hike: 6 km Moderate hike: 21 km
Overnight in Lindoso
Day 6: From Lindoso to Germil (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.
From Ermida you climb to finish the hike at Germil, here our taxi will pick you up to drive towards the hotel in Campo do Gerês.
Easy hike: 10 km Hard hike: 21 km
Overnight in Campo do Gerês.
Day 7: From Campo do Gerês to Vila do Gerês
From the village of Brufe, you ascend the Serra do Gerês 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.
Easy hike: 9.41 km Hard hike: 18 km
Overnight in Vila do Gerês.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, we offer a private transfer from Gerês to Braga or Porto.
Included:
- Welcome briefing by a Descubra Minho tour leader (day 1);
- 7 nights in double/twin room with ensuite bathroom (2 - 3 star hotels);
- All breakfasts;
- Private transfer from Porto airport/city to hotel in Castro Laboreiro;
- Private transfer from Gerês to Braga or Porto;
- Private transfer from Germil to Campo do Gerês (day 6);
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel;
- Booklet: hiking maps, hiking notes and recommendations about restaurants;
- Garmin GPS device with GPS tracks;
- Local telephone support.
Make An Enquiry
This trip can be enjoyed as shown, or made longer or shorter to suit you. Please contact us for full details and to discuss your trip.
