Peneda-Geres National Park
Peneda-Geres National Park
Peneda-Geres National Park
4.5
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Gerardbos
Barreiros, Portugal78 contributions
Oct 2022
Portugal's oldest and largest national park on the border with Spain. Peneda is mostly rocks, views, possibilities for encounters with goats, horses and cows, but above all it invites for hiking and mountain biking activities. Gerès is wetter, greener, more vegetation. Changing through the seasons and exactly like Peneda inviting for hikes and bike rides. But where there is water, and here there are many waterfalls, there is also swimming for the heroes who can resist the cold. There are also many animals here, so nature lovers are in for a treat. The views over the green parts are also stunningly beautiful, where the lakes are like diamonds in the landscape and the sun.
Written April 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SyttendeMai
Ohio, USA69 contributions
Oct 2022
We drove from Braga to Campo do Geres for a few hours of hiking along the ancient Geira (Old Roman Road) in the pouring rain in late October 2022. We hired a guide (from Porto) to show us the trail. The guide met us in Braga and took us along the old road to the stone pillar of Roman mile marker XXIX. The mossy covered wall along one part of the trail seemed like it was a magical movie set. The scenery/ views were beautiful and some heather-like wild flowers were in bloom. Good water-proof hiking boots are required because part of the trail can become a stream in the rain. We then drove to a waterfall (Cascata do Arado) and had lunch at the nearby Casa do Criado, No doubt the views and trail are even better in the summer months. For nature-lovers or history buffs, this is a wonderful part of Portugal to explore.
Written January 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M2018K
Pilsen, Czech Republic1,012 contributions
Oct 2020
Peneda-Geres NP is the only real national park in Portugal. It has not only nice nature, stony hills, mountains and rivers with waterfalls, but small villages with typical houses and friendly people as well. We did one hike from Ermida to Cascata do Arado, Cascatas de Fecha de Barjas and back to Ermida. It was 16,80km long ad took us 6,5 hours with a few relaxing stops. Because of period (October 2020) we hardly met any tourists so we really enjoyed the nature. There were some people close to the waterfalls but the rest of the hike we didn´t see anybody. The morning was foggy but the sun started shining at midday. The path wasn´t signed very well but we found the way thanks to the navigation in our cell phones. Beautiful view, forest with huge ferns, cork trees and heaters in blossom – all of this was worth seeing.
Written November 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thom D
23 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
On holiday, we sought the departure of the walk to via romana. The person at the Tourist Office of Managed speaks only Portuguese. We follow our path, we arrive at a cabin where we have to pay to access. We ask the way to the hike... Vague explanations in Portuguese. We end up on a road for 4x4 of several kilometers without the possibility of stopping or turning around. Some signs exclusively in Portuguese near the military posts but we can not stop (the guards watch. ) too bad!!!
Automatically translated
Written July 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew H
73 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
This park in northeast Portugal is a delight to tour. We rented a car and spent two days driving through fantastic scenery and visiting historic villages like Soajo with its Espigueros, Lindoso with its castle, Peneda with its famous church, and Castro Laboreiro with its castle. Roads are narrow and winding but nothing extreme. A wonderful experience.
Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D. Aaronson
Asheville, NC698 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Hard to summarize an entire national park, but it's worth a day's visit. The town of Geres is a good base, there are some beautiful waterfalls accessible by short hikes (probably longer hikes too). The signage is generally quite good but you should have an idea of what you're looking for before you come, there are a lot of small roads and a lot of trails. Viewpoints were iffy when we visited because of fog.
Written August 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angie2012-11
London, UK687 contributions
Feb 2021
I went there with my family in October 2020. We stayed in Eremida, very nice village. We went for sightseeing - some hiking and to see waterfalls. The park is really impressive, beautiful landscapes. Easy to explore, but driving those narrow roads was really breathtaking. Dress warm, as there is colder than central or south Portugal. The only minus - not many places to eat or do some even basic shopping.
Written January 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony G
Shipston on Stour, UK89 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
What an absolutely outstanding pristine wilderness. Birch, Oak, Chestnut, not a Eucalyptus in site! Granite landscape that reminds me of Dartmoor or Tafraoute, friendly folk, horned docile cows ponies and lizards even in November- we were very lucky with the weather! Away from the hoards and Covidiocy. Clear springs, all drinkable!
One of the last wildernesses in Portugal, love it!!
One of the last wildernesses in Portugal, love it!!
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paulo José Gama... B
6 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
It is a beautiful place, huge, a large area of nature to be admired. However, it cannot be called a park, I think its name should be changed to a forest reserve. The park lacks infrastructure, park guards and guides, resources for visitors, such as bathrooms, food outlets, and guidance signs. We got in the car, we drove without direction, without any help. Once again I say that it is a wonderful place; however, unfortunately dangerous for the visitor.
Written May 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nis62
Shoham, Israel212 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
During our trip to Portugal we thought about spending a day at Peneda Geres National Park. As we had only a day there on our way form Porto to Douro river valley, we thought about having a day trip with our car, and see as much as we can from the park without going into long hiking trails.
Prior to our visit at Peneda Geres, we looked through the web and while there was a lot of information about specific villages, spots, trails and hikes, we couldn't really find any good specific day trip suggestions for a day trip by car.
We set up a day trip using multiple inputs, and ended up having a wonderful day at the park, so I thought I should share it so that anyone else who would like to do so and have very limited time, as this park is really a must.
We started out way from Porto and drove straight towards Ponte Da Barca where we stopped for a delicious little breakfast at a lovely little Café called "Pastelaria Doce Lima" . On Wednesday morning there was a small farmer's market at the village center which was very enjoyable.
We then drove to Lindoso , a little village where one of the Park's 5 official entrances is located. We stopped at the visitor center and took a Park map. At Lindoso, just by the visitors' center, you can have a short walk and see the remains of an old castle and mainly the very impressive corn storage houses (called Espigueiros) which are spread around the area and some are still in use.
From Lindoso, we continued to Soajo where you can stop to see another collection of Corn storage houses , and continue to Peneda. The impressive thing at Peneda is not the village but the Sanctuary which is built on top of the mountain, next to a beautiful waterfall. You can get there by parking your car at the bottom and walk up the stairway, seeing the many chapels till you get to the Sanctuary itself on the top. You can also drive with the car to the top and park right by the Sanctuary . The way from Lindoso to Peneda is lovely and really enjoyable.
From Peneda, we continued towards Lobios driving north through Lamas de Mouro. You can also get to Lobios by driving back to Lindoso, but we preferred the other northern way that comes from Spain to Portugal. While driving into Spain (Galicia), we felt that the way through Spain to Lobios is not as nice as the way to Peneda, but after we passed Lobios and entered Portugal again, we started a beautiful drive through a mystical dark green forest . Right before getting into Lobios , set up the GPS towards Campo Do Geres. Enjoy this beautiful way of driving through valleys and mountains, there are many small waterfalls on your way and many beautiful views to stop and enjoy. Once you start climbing the mountains, you can see the breathtaking rock formations spread all around as if someone picked them up one by one, laid them over and set up this whole scenic view. The top of the mountains with the amazing rocks hanging around and the valley deep below with the lake is really a picture to memorize.
At Campos De Geres you can find another visitor center if you wish to continue and explore the area, but we needed out trip there and started heading south towards the Douro River valley.
The whole trip , from Porto to Campos de Geres, took us around 8 hours with many stops throughout the path described above.
Prior to our visit at Peneda Geres, we looked through the web and while there was a lot of information about specific villages, spots, trails and hikes, we couldn't really find any good specific day trip suggestions for a day trip by car.
We set up a day trip using multiple inputs, and ended up having a wonderful day at the park, so I thought I should share it so that anyone else who would like to do so and have very limited time, as this park is really a must.
We started out way from Porto and drove straight towards Ponte Da Barca where we stopped for a delicious little breakfast at a lovely little Café called "Pastelaria Doce Lima" . On Wednesday morning there was a small farmer's market at the village center which was very enjoyable.
We then drove to Lindoso , a little village where one of the Park's 5 official entrances is located. We stopped at the visitor center and took a Park map. At Lindoso, just by the visitors' center, you can have a short walk and see the remains of an old castle and mainly the very impressive corn storage houses (called Espigueiros) which are spread around the area and some are still in use.
From Lindoso, we continued to Soajo where you can stop to see another collection of Corn storage houses , and continue to Peneda. The impressive thing at Peneda is not the village but the Sanctuary which is built on top of the mountain, next to a beautiful waterfall. You can get there by parking your car at the bottom and walk up the stairway, seeing the many chapels till you get to the Sanctuary itself on the top. You can also drive with the car to the top and park right by the Sanctuary . The way from Lindoso to Peneda is lovely and really enjoyable.
From Peneda, we continued towards Lobios driving north through Lamas de Mouro. You can also get to Lobios by driving back to Lindoso, but we preferred the other northern way that comes from Spain to Portugal. While driving into Spain (Galicia), we felt that the way through Spain to Lobios is not as nice as the way to Peneda, but after we passed Lobios and entered Portugal again, we started a beautiful drive through a mystical dark green forest . Right before getting into Lobios , set up the GPS towards Campo Do Geres. Enjoy this beautiful way of driving through valleys and mountains, there are many small waterfalls on your way and many beautiful views to stop and enjoy. Once you start climbing the mountains, you can see the breathtaking rock formations spread all around as if someone picked them up one by one, laid them over and set up this whole scenic view. The top of the mountains with the amazing rocks hanging around and the valley deep below with the lake is really a picture to memorize.
At Campos De Geres you can find another visitor center if you wish to continue and explore the area, but we needed out trip there and started heading south towards the Douro River valley.
The whole trip , from Porto to Campos de Geres, took us around 8 hours with many stops throughout the path described above.
Written October 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. We've booked a rental car and we're planning to visit Paneda Geres Nataion Park for 3 days starting from 27th to 29th February. Which hiking trails would you suggest we take? We don't want private tours.
Written February 9, 2020
I’m not sure. The best thing to do is to go to the tourist office which is located in Geres and ask the person in charge. She will give you a map and answer all your questions.
Written February 19, 2020
Is it possible to camp somewhere, in a campsite or a place where campervans are allowed overnight?
Written August 7, 2019
Hello. What are the things we can do for free? We are planning to drive tomorrow in the morning and stay until about 4pm
Written June 30, 2019
Hi,
We are planing to stay a few days in the Park in August. what is the best location to stay if we want hiking, kayaking and more attractions for teenager and young adults? we'll have a car.
I will appreciate any useful information
Written April 6, 2018
Where is the best place to stay for 4 days to explore the NP Peneda Geres? We want to make hikes, but do not like to use the car a lot to drive to start points, so where is the best entrance and are there hotels/lodging around.
Written April 18, 2017
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