Only on foot or astride a garrano pony can one appreciate the vast expanse and diversity of Peneda Geres. Walk along narrow shepherd trails or on the ancient cement of Roman roads. From lush river valleys to bare rocky mountain peaks, from golden gorsefields to sweeping oak.
Peneda Geres is the refuge of some of Europe’s last surviving great predators. A transition zone between the Mediterranean and the Euro-Siberian regions with a hotch potch of microclimates and new plants on every new trail.
Wild boars, otters, roe deers and foxes exist side by side with badgers, eagles and the last surviving wolves on the continent. Ancient megaliths, rock carvings and old dolmen graves lie scattered in the park. The ruins of Celtic “castros” and medieval castles rise above little hill towns, where modern life has not yet intruded and oxen are still used to plough the fields.
The 300-million-year-old granite rocks are an amazing contrast to the sharp and bare relief of the granite of Geres. Important climate changes formed the typical steep sided U-shaped valley and boulder clay, which reveal the action of the ancient glaciers.
Among the most characteristic habitats of the National Park one can point out the oak forests of Albergaria and Palheiros, Cabril, Ramiscal, Beredo and Barreiro.
The peat-bogs of Castro Laboreiro and Mourela Plateaus and Lagoa do Marinho are habitats of high priority conservation.
Peneda Geres National Park is full of water resources like waterfalls, which are common at every mountain slope, and several rivers flow through this region.
• Garrano ponies
Garranos are native to the Northern part of Portugal. The wild ponies are of Celtic origin and can be seen on many ancient rock carvings. Due to domestication, the wild garrano herds almost became extinct in the middle of the 20th century. In the 1940s Portugal started an extensive program to re-establish the herds, mainly in the area of today’s national park.
Megalithic, Celtic and Roman monuments are plentiful in Peneda Geres. Dolmen graves from the 3rd century can be found on the Castro Laboreiro plateau, in Portela do Mezio, Chã da Serra Amarela or in the high plateaus of Mourela Mezio, Paradela, Cambezes and Pitoez. Celtic Castros (fortified settlements) stand on the hills of Pitoues, Tourem and Cidadelhe. The most interesting relic from Roman times is the ancient “Geira” – road, a Roman military road from the 1st century that crosses the park. One of its best preserved parts runs between Campo de Geres and Portela do Homem, an area where also Roman milestones and other archeological remains can be found.
Espigueiros are corn granaries, which are elevated on pillars and covered with straw or flat granite stones to make them inaccessible to rats and mice. On the top of each “espigueiro” stands a cross, which symbolizes God’s protection over the harvest. The most impressive granaries are in the towns of Soajo and Lindoso and were built in the 18th and 19th century.
The mineral springs of Calda de Gerês were already known and used by the Romans. Today the town also has more modern spas.
Peneda Geres’ medieval age is evident in the castles of Castro Laboreiro, (10th century), Castelo do Lindoso (12th century) as well as in the monastery Santa Maria dos Pitões (9th century) and in the abandoned settlements of Pomba (Gaviera) and Vincente do Geres (Beredo).
The 18th century Sanctuário da Nossa Senhora da Peneda and the Sanctuário São Bento, three kilometres northwest of Rio Caldo are popular pilgrimage sites.
Watch the swoop of the great golden eagle! There are more than 137 species of birds in the park, many of them migratory. The best place for bird watching is the Mourela plateau.
Test your limits and climb the granite rock faces in the park. Various companies offer canyoning and climbing tours and rent out professional equipment.
Follow the old shepherd trails and explore the park’s more remote corners. There are 31 marked trails in Peneda Geres which vary from short strolls to treks taking several days across whole sections of the national park. Maps and brochures are available at the park offices or under (www.adere-pg.pt) The office also keeps a list of officially approved guides.
Before you start off always check the latest conditions, as trail markings can get worn. The best hiking season is in April and May when the park is in full bloom.
Cycle the old Roman road and count the ancient milestones you have passed.
Mount a garrano pony and gallop through the windswept Serra landscape.
Pamper yourself after a long day’s hike in the mineral thermal spas of Gêres.
Take a swim under the bridge of a flooded ghost town. Plenty of lakes, rivers and reservoirs offer good swimming in the park. Most refreshing is a freshwater shower under a waterfall after a strenuous hike.
Windsurf in a mountain landscape! Surfboards, canoes, kayaks and boats are available at Lake Canicada, Salamonde, Lindoso and Touvedo. Rafting is only possible in the surroundings of the park.
The highlands have an average temperature of about 10 °C, ranging from 4 to 14 °C; and an average precipitation of more than 2,500 mm/year with more than 130 rainy days per year. Snow is common in winter. The Homem and Cávado river valleys have a much milder climate, with temperatures of 8 to 20 °C, with an average of 14 °C; and an annual precipitation of 900 mm and around 100 days with rain.
Use adequate clothes and shoes and prepare for the unexpected: carry a jacket, food, water and a lighter. A cell phone can also be handy, although many areas do not have service.
Other equipment and materials recommended:
- Leaflet of the route or other support information;
- Topographic maps of the route;
- Camera and binoculars;
- Hiking stick and other mountaineering equipment (compass, ropes, etc.).
http://www.adere-pg.pt/site2/mapa.php
The nearest international airport to Peneda-Gerês National Park is the Airport of Oporto. From here it is only a two-hour drive to the closest entrance of the park by private transport. Cars can be rented at Oporto Airport.
Distances from the closest big cities:
• Lisbon - Braga: 370 km
• Oporto - Braga: 53 km
• Faro - Braga: 630 km
• Braga – Campo do Gerês (by Terras de Bouro): 42 km
• Braga - Caldas do Gerês: 43 km
• Braga - Mezio: 51 km
• Braga – Entre Ambos-os-Rios: 42 km
• Braga - Lamas de Mouro: 90 km
• Braga - Fafião: 45 km
The access to the Park can be made by the following roads:
• Entrance from Lamas de Mouro, coming from Melgaço, by EN 202
• Entrance from Mezio, coming from Arcos de Valdevez, by EN 202
• Entrance from Entre Ambos-os-Rios, coming from Ponte da Barca, by EN 203
• Entrance from Covide, coming from Terras de Bouro, by EN 307
• Entrance from Rio Caldo, coming from Póvoa de Lanhoso, by EN 103 and 104, and coming from Amares by EN 308
• Entrance from Sezelhe, coming from Montalegre, by EN 308
• Entrance from Paradela, coming from Venda Nova, by EN 308-4
• Entrance from Fafião, coming from Salamonde, by 103 EN
From Braga (bus station – Largo de S. Francisco) the following localities can be reached: Melgaço, Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte da Barca, Terras de Bouro, Campo do Gerês , Caldas do Gerês, Montalegre.
There are several bus companies, two of them are listed here so that you can contact them for further information regarding the bus services:
1. Transdev Braga
Praça Estação Rodoviária
4704-510 Braga
Tel: 253 209 400 Fax: 253 209 410
2. Salvador
Rua Soares Pereira 80, 1º
4970-465 Arcos de Valdevez
Tel: +351 258 521 504 Fax: +351 258 513 310
http://www.salvador-transportes.com.pt/salvador/
empsalvador@net.sapo.pt
The access to Braga also can be made by train. The railway station is located about 500 meters away from the national park headquarters. You can call the following numbers for time schedules: Call Center (07/23h) 80820820 and +351 213 185 990 (for international calls).
Entrance/access points
From Portugal (southern and western limits of the park) there are eight main access points: Lamas de Mouro, Mezio, Entre Ambos-os-Rios, Campo do Gerês, Covide, Rio Caldo, Salamonde, Paradela and Sezelhe. On the border with Spain (the northern boundary of the park) there are four access points: Ameijoeira, Madalena, Portela do Homem and Tourém.
The National Park Gates are located at the main entry points (one gate located at the main entrance of each municipality), which act as centres for reception, information and management of the flow of visitors.
Gates:
- Lamas de Mouro Gate (municipality of Melgaço);
- Mezio Gate (municipality of Arcos de Valdevez);
- Lindoso Gate (municipality of Ponte da Barca);
- Campo do Gerês Gate (municipality of Terras de Bouro);
- Paradela Gate (municipality of Montalegre).
The Park Gateways and the Vidoeiro Environmental Education Centre offer a wide range of exhibitions and information about the nature, culture and geography of the region.
1 - Vidoeiro Environmental Education Centre
Location: Lugar do Vidoeiro, 99 4845-081 GERÊS
Contacts: Tel./Fax: + 351 253 390 110 / + 351 253 391 496
Opening hours: Weekdays: 09.00-12.30h; 14.00-17.30h
Short description:
Besides information about the natural and cultural values of the National Park, visitors can collect suggestions of routes and footpaths as well as other useful information during their visit to the park (housing, environmental and sports activities and enterprises; permits, etc.).
Schools have the opportunity to participate in several environmental education activities, through which they learn about the national park’s values as well as applying the knowledge that they bring from the classroom.
In addition to the Reception and the Exposition Room (where we can find the “Biodiversity dynamics” exhibition), this Centre has an Auditorium (where you are able to see a short film about the Park), a Library, a Multimedia Room and an Environmental Education Activities’ Room.
Outside the Centre, there is a Medicinal and Aromatic Plants’ Garden, where the main species of the flora of this area are represented (with an emphasis on aromatic and medicinal plants).
2 - Lamas de Mouro Gateway
Location: Porto Ribeiro 4960-170 MELGAÇO
Contacts: Tel./Fax: + 351 251 465 010 / + 351 251 465 014
E-mail: portadelamas@cm-melgaco.pt
Opening Hours:
- Winter hours: Monday to Sunday, 10.00-12.30h; 14.00-17.00h
- Summer hours: Monday to Sunday, 10.00-12.30h; 14.00-19.00h
Short description:
Starting from the Lamas the Mouro Gate, visit the oak forests of the Peneda (Great Stone) Mountain Range or the peat bogs of the Castro Laboreiro plateau. With luck spot a wolf or watch a squirrel in the woods surrounding the Gate. Walking along the Mouro River in search of the Schreiberi’s green lizards, hike through the birch woods and rest under the shade of a Scots pine tree. A short drive away is the Castro Laboreiro castle, and medieval trails such as the Peneda and the Castrejo Trail, which connected the summer villages (“Brandas”) to the winter villages (“Inverneiras”). Going further back in time visit the underground dolmens (“mamoas”) of the Castro Laboreiro Plateau, and admire the granite domes that mark the mountaintops of Serra da Peneda.
3 - Campo do Gerês Gateway
Location: 4840-030 CAMPO DO GERÊS
Contacts: Tel./Fax: + 351 253 351 888
E-mail: museu@cm-terrasdebouro.pt ou museudevilarinhodafurna@gmail.com
Opening Hours: Winter hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00-12.30h; 14.00-17.00h
Summer hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00-19.00h Weekends: 10.00-17.30h
Short description:
From the Campo do Gerês Gate walk on the Roman road (Geira), finding milestones until the Albergaria forest. This forest is the most remarkable remnant that in the past covered all north-western Portugal. Here, the Homem (Man) river forms crystal clear lakes, and idyllic waterfalls which descend the glacial valley. Early in the morning it is possible to hear roe deer barking. Starting from the Vidoeiro Environmental Education Center, climb to the Pedra Bela peak and admire the Gerês valley. Alternatively, one can hike the opposite slope, using the Preguiça Trail or the Cidade da Calcedónia Trail. Boating activities can be practiced in Caniçada reservoir.
4 - Montalegre Gateway
Location: Av.ª D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, Edifício Multiusos, 445
5470-203 MONTALEGRE
Contacts: Tel./Fax: + 351 276 518 320 / + 351 276 518 322
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 09.00-12.30h; 14.00-17.30h
5. ADERE-PG Reservation Center
Largo da Misericórdia, 10, 4980-613 Ponte da Barca
Tel./Fax: +351 258 452 250/ +351 258 452 450
E-mail: aderepg@mail.telepac.pt
Web page: www.adere-pg.pt
Entrance to the park is free.
The park offers several environmental education activities such as guided visits and thematic activities. For more information:
http://portal.icnb.pt/ICNPortal/vPT2007-APGeres/Visitar+Area+Protegida/Educacao+Ambiental/
The Park offers a network of paths for different types of visitors. There are several interpretation trails (thirty blazed trails). Most of these trails have individual leaflets with detailed information, which are available in the Gates and other Information Centers of the national park.
Most of the trails and other pathways can be hiked with the support of a GPS.
To see the full list of trails of the national park and to download the GPS files please visit: http://www.adere-pg.pt/trilhos
Visitors can make use of companies to hire sports equipment (for example, bicycles and canoes). Tents are usually only in camping sites and not always available. Other types of equipment (such as climbing gear) is provided by the companies and also with guided activities.
PDA/GPS to 10 trails and binoculars are available at the main gates.
In case of accident or disorientation, call the emergency line (112). If you are not able to call the emergency line in an accident, place the victim in a safe place protected from the cold and the sun, then search for help.
In case of being bitten by a viper – which only happens if a viper is directly disturbed – you should keep calm (a viper bit is rarely fatal) and avoid unnecessary movements. You should go to the closest hospital and call the Intoxication Centre (808 250 143)
There are 3 entrances of the park, which are accessible for the disabled as well: Lamas de Mouro Gateway, Mezio Gateway, Paradela Gateway.
- Do not damage, remove or disturb any plants, lichens, mushrooms, animals, rocks and minerals. They are protected by law. Do not feed the wildlife.
- Do not disturb or collect any cultural or historic artefacts.
- Avoid noise and activities that disturb the natural environment.
- Respect the signboards and the information given by the park rangers and other staff
- Use existent trails and roads.
- Respect private property and inhabitants activities.
- Carry your litter until you find a rubbish bin.
- Camp only in authorized areas.
- Ask for information about where and when you can use grills; Avoid smoking in the forest.
- All mountaineering activities in the Natural Area of the Park require a permit, which can be obtained at the Park Gates and other Information Centres.
- Warn PGNP (Phone: 253 390 110) or the environmental police GNR/SEPNA (808 200 520) of any infraction you witness.
- Keep your dog on a leash
Inside the park you can find information in the site of ADERE-PG regarding shelters and overnight stays.
www.adere-pg.pt <http://www.adere-pg.pt/
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Take a hike online
24 January 2010
Interested in Portuguese wilderness? With its majestic mountains and forests PAN Park Peneda-Geres provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience and enjoy natural dynamics of oak forest re-growth and observe wilderness restoration in a Mediterranean country. You can watch a video prepared in the Portuguese park during Europe\'s...more |
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Europe's Wilderness Days goes to Peneda-Gerês
12 October 2009
Certified PAN Park, Peneda- Gerês National Park will be hosting Europe's Wilderness Days, an event bringing together representatives from the best of Europe's wilderness areas between 14-18 October 2009.Photo: Peneda-Geres NP ArchiveThe conference, organised by the PAN Parks Foundation, will be an exciting gathering of experts coming from 11...more |
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New PAN Park in Portugal
16 October 2008
The PAN Parks Family has expanded again! In June Portugal's only national park, - Parque Nacional Peneda-Geres , joined the PAN Parks' network!
This proves that wilderness can still be found, even in historically heavily managed regions such as the Iberian peninsula today. The mountainous park, located at the Spanish boarder in the northwestern...more |
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PAN Parks Foundation visits Peneda-Geres National Park in Portugal
05 September 2007
In late August, Vlado Vancura and Zoltán Kun visited Peneda-Geres National Park in Portugal to evaluate the possibilities of the park joining the PAN Parks Network. The visit was a follow-up to a visit two years ago, when the Portuguese Nature Conservation Agency (ICNB) asked for an evaluation of three of their protected areas.Peneda-Geres...more |
