The Peneda-Gerês National Park is a protected area in Northern Portugal. It’s the largest natural park in Portugal and one of the best national parks in Europe. It covers an area of over 200 square kilometers (77 square miles).
The national park was created in 1958 and it’s home to some amazing activities and beautiful hiking trails that will make you feel like you’ve entered another world. If you are looking for some great hikes, look no further than this list of the best 10 hikes and trails in Peneda-Gerês National Park!
1. Pico do Gerês
Pico do Gerês is the highest point in Peneda-Gerês National Park, at 1,834 meters (6,007 ft). It’s a challenging hike but well worth it for the views of this rugged landscape.
The trail begins at Penhas da Saúde and follows an old military road up to Portela do Homem pass. From here you’ll have great views over the Montejunto mountain range and down into Vale de Janelas valley before making your way along a ridge towards Pico do Gerês summit. This part of the route is steep and rocky so make sure you wear appropriate footwear with a good grip on loose surfaces that may become slippery when wet. The final stretch involves climbing up steps carved into rock faces – these can be quite exposed so hold onto ropes provided by park rangers if needed!
Once you reach this lofty peak there are plenty more adventures waiting for you further down below: Go rafting on Rio Cabeço de Vandoma or hike through some of Europe’s oldest forests around Lagoa Comprida lake – just remember to stay hydrated throughout your trip!
2. Cascata do Arado
The Cascata do Arado is a waterfall in the municipality of Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal. The cascade is formed by water falling from an altitude of about 100m and has a height of 20m.
This hike takes you from Vilarelho da Raia to this beautiful waterfall that can be seen from several viewpoints on the way down to it. It’s also possible to get close enough for some great pictures!
The difficulty rating for this hike depends on how to fit you are – if you’re not used to walking long distances or walking uphill then it might take longer than expected! If so we would recommend taking some breaks along the way (which will allow time for photos). Distance wise: it’s around 7km round trip but could be slightly more depending on which path we take at each junction point (there are many). Duration wise: We estimate around 2 hours but again this depends on fitness levels!
3. Portela do Homem
Portela do Homem is a mountain pass in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, located on the border between Portugal and Spain. The pass is at an altitude of 1,839 meters and is known for its panoramic views of mountains and valleys.
The trail starts at Portela does Homem village and follows a path that leads through forests before reaching Portela do Homem mountain pass. The trail continues along the ridge until it reaches another viewpoint where you can see Spain’s highest peak, Aneto (3404 m).
The difficulty rating for this hike is moderate to difficult because it has steep sections but shouldn’t be too difficult for hikers who are fit enough for some climbing involved here! If you want to avoid steep sections then go ahead with some other options from this list 🙂
4. Pedra Bela
This trail is one of the most popular in Peneda-Gerês National Park, and it’s easy to see why. The trail begins at Pedra Bela and winds through a forested area with beautiful views of the Serra da Estrela mountain range. There are also several waterfalls along your journey, so bring your camera!
This hike is rated as moderate difficulty because there are some steep sections where you’ll be walking on rocks or dirt paths–but don’t worry, there are plenty of flat parts too! It’s about 5 kilometers (3 miles) long with an elevation gain of 500 meters (1,640 feet). You should plan on taking anywhere from 2-3 hours depending on how fast you walk and whether or not there are other people on the trail at any given time; this hike can get crowded during peak season because it offers such great views without having to drive very far out into nature yourself.
The best time to go here would be early spring when everything first starts sprouting new leaves; winter wouldn’t be ideal either because snowfall could make some areas inaccessible until after January when temperatures begin warming up again
5. Miradouro da Pedra Bela
If you’re looking for a place that offers sweeping views of Peneda-Gerês National Park, then look no further. The Miradouro da Pedra Bela is a perfect spot to admire the beauty of this rugged landscape from above.
To get there, take N230 from Amares towards Vila Verde until you reach a small town called Fonte Arcada; from there follow signs for Pedra Bela (you’ll see them on your left). There are two ways up: one is shorter but steeper; the other is longer but more gradual. Both offer amazing views so don’t worry about which one to choose!
The best time of year to visit would be during the summer months because there will be less fog than usual – although even in wintertime it can still look pretty good if there isn’t much snow yet! If you plan on hiking any trails within Peneda-Gereis National Park then make sure they stay open until November 30th because this area often closes early due to snowfall by then.”
6. Fenda da Calcedónia
Fenda da Calcedónia is a narrow gorge carved out by the Rio Homem and it’s a popular hike in Peneda-Gerês National Park. It’s only a short walk from the village of Fonte do Homem, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning views along your way to this amazing spot. The trail starts out relatively flat, but there are some stairs that take you up through rock formations and into the gorge itself. There are also some bridges along the way so don’t worry about getting wet!
It’s not recommended during high water levels (when there may be flooding), but otherwise, this hike is suitable for all skill levels year-round. The distance is 3 km (2 miles) round trip with an elevation gain of 200 meters (656 feet). You can expect it to take 2 hours at most–the perfect amount of time if you’re looking for something short yet challenging enough to make it feel like more than just another walk in nature!
7. Serra Amarela
The Serra Amarela trail is 6.5km long and it’s not very steep, so it can be done by anyone who’s in good shape. It also has well-marked signs along the way to help you find your way. The trail passes through a pine forest, so bring some waterproof shoes or sandals if you go during the rainy season (June to September).
This hike is moderate in difficulty, but if you’re carrying anything heavy or have little kids with you then it might be difficult for them to climb up some parts of the mountain where there are steep switchbacks on narrow trails with loose rocks underfoot!
The best time to go hiking here is during springtime when temperatures are milder than summer months (June-September).
8. Mata da Albergaria
This trail is 8km long and is mostly flat, but there are some steep sections. It’s mostly through the forest, so it’s shaded and cool in the summer months. However, the trail can be challenging for those with a fear of heights as there are some high points along the way that offer amazing views of Peneda-Gerês National Park. The best time to go on this hike is during spring or fall when temperatures are moderate and crowds are lightest (if you want to avoid crowds altogether).
The average duration for this hike is 5 hours; however, if you’re looking for something faster paced then add another hour onto your return trip by taking one of two shortcuts at either end–both involve steep climbs up rocky terrain so don’t try them unless you’re confident in your ability!
9. Fojo do Lobo
The Fojo do Lobo is a small lake with a picturesque waterfall, located at an altitude of 1,220 m. It’s a great place to spend some time relaxing and enjoying the scenery. To get there, you’ll need to take the trail from Peneda-Gerês National Park (you can book this online). The hike will take about 2 hours, so make sure you leave early in the morning if you want to catch the best light for photos!
The best part? You won’t be alone on this walk–there are many other hikers who also enjoy this particular trail! If you’re looking for solitude and quietness in nature though, then maybe try somewhere else…
When planning your trip make sure that it doesn’t coincide with any holidays or festivals because they often attract large crowds which could interfere with your experience at Fojo do Lobo.
10. Rio Homem
The Rio Homem is one of the most important rivers in Peneda-Gerês National Park. It’s a tributary of the Douro River, which runs through southern Portugal and northern Spain. The banks are lined with tall trees and shrubs that create shade for visitors who want to cool off by taking a dip in the water.
Rafting is one popular activity here–you can take a trip down this fast-moving stream on an inflatable raft or canoe (or just swim). If you’re looking for something more relaxing, there are plenty of spots along the riverbank where you can sunbathe or picnic under a tree before heading back home with your new friends from other countries!
