Best 34 Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park

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Peneda Gerês National Park is gaining more and more international notoriety, but its most idyllic corners, far from the crowds, are only accessible to those who really seek them by walking through the high and rugged mountains. You have to use your legs and, very carefully, follow safely along paths once used only by shepherds and the mountain goats themselves.

I believe that this article greatly simplifies your search for information on the Best Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park, which today is still very scarce. I’m here to reveal to you many secrets that I discovered in my adventures, without filtering anything.

I don’t know you, so I can’t tell you whether or not you can do the trails and hikes I’m going to write about in this article. If you’re not sure, I recommend starting with the easiest marked paths (there are many) and then working your way up to the more difficult ones as you feel more comfortable. Every year there are accidents in the Peneda Gerês National Park, and even deaths, most of which are due to the negligence of visitors. You don’t want to be one of those cases!

Peneda Gerês has awesome lagoons, waterfalls and monumental landscapes. Be sure to protect them and leave them exactly as you found them! Carefully read all the tips below and, if you have any doubts or questions, leave them in the comments or contact me directly via instagram.

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Code of Conduct for visitors to Gerês and hikers

Before setting out on the Peneda Gerês trails and Hikes, carefully read the ICNF code of conduct, so that you are aware of all the basic rules for safety and nature preservation in the protected areas of the PNPG.

PNPG Protected Areas + Authorizations

The PNPG Protection Areas, referred to in the ICNF Code of Conduct, can be of three types, as can be read below.

• Total Protection Zone – can be visited on trails (maximum 10 people per group), but requires ICNF authorization, to be obtained via email to [email protected] at least one week in advance. In this email you must send:
  • Your address and contact.
  • The number of people who will take the trail.
  • The date you will do this with the estimated start and end time.
  • And also the .kml file of the route.
• Type 1 Partial Protection Zone – ICNF authorization is required, by the same means, but only for groups of over 10 people.
• And Type 2 Partial Protection Zone – ICNF authorization is required, through the channels indicated above, but only for groups of over 15 people.

Of all the trails I walked in Gerês, only two crossed the total protection zone: the 7 bridges trail, in Mata de Albergaria, and the Messe Meadows trail. Note that in the image below, the darker color is related to Total Protection Zone. The lighter color of green is type II, and the other is type I.

Prohibition in periods of risk of forest fires

It should be noted that access to some PNPG sites may be prohibited if the risk of fire manifests itself throughout the year. This is applied not only to protect the national park, but also for your own safety! It happens frequently in Mata de Albergaria, but not only, so you should always bear this in mind, especially if you are going to do some hikes and trails in Peneda Gerês in the summer!

More advice for visitors and hikers in Peneda Gerês

• Don’t hike alone. Always take someone with you, especially on the more difficult and unofficial trails in Peneda Gerês. Prepare and carry a first aid kit with you, which we hope will never be needed.
• Do not visit Gerês on rainy days or shortly after it rains. Or, at least, don’t go on trails in these conditions, as the rocky terrain (which is very common around here) can be slippery and cause a fatal fall in certain places.
• Never risk your safety for a simple photo!
• Always consider your experience and fitness in any decision.
• Do not do the trails in shorts, so that the vegetation does not bother or scratch your legs. You can always change your clothes in the lagoons or next to the waterfalls, to bathe in their waters. 😉
• Apply plenty of sunscreen, especially in summer. Take a bathing suit and towel with you, obviously.
• Use offline maps (I recommend wikiloc) even if the trail is official and marked. That way you can easily figure out how to get back on track if you get lost, or how to avoid it!
• Choose the ideal footwear to hike in Gerês. The mountain is no place for flip flops.
• Take plenty of water and enough food for the trails, especially if you are going to do the longer ones. Canned food is an excellent option for mountain hikes.
• Start the hardest hikes early in the morning, at the crack of dawn.
• Take a power bank with you, so you don’t run out of battery on your cell phone.
• Respect the animals and people you pass by on each trail in Gerês.
• Walk as light as possible!

Please do not leave rubbish along the mountain trails in Gerês or near the natural waterfalls and ponds. Preserve the beauty of Portugal’s unique National Park!

Use Wikiloc and/or offline maps

In this article I will share with you links to wikiloc, in each of the 34 trails and hikes of Peneda Gerês to be mentioned. I highly recommend using the app, which I also ALWAYS use, or another alternative, such as AllTrails.

I pay the wikiloc Premium subscription, which is 10€ per year, or 5€ every 3 months. You can learn more about it at this link, and if you’re not convinced, request a 14-day free trial.

However, it’s always free to download GPX and KML files, useful for later use in offline map apps or Google Earth (at least at the time of writing this article!). I used Maps.me before paying for wikiloc premium, and it’s all very easy: just click on the file on your smartphone and choose to open it with the app in question.

Travel Insurance to hike in Peneda Gerês

As an extra precaution when doing Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês, take out travel insurance, as in these activities the occurrence of any type of bad luck is always much more frequent! Opt for prevention, because every year accidents occur at the national park, and we are all subject to a second of distraction.

>>> Travel Insurance with World Nomads

Where to sleep when hiking in Peneda Gerês?

To enjoy the whole day on the mountain, and start early, it can be important to sleep close to the starting point of each trail, the day before the hike. I leave you several accommodation tips below for the main places and villages of Peneda Gerês National Park.

1. Accommodation tips in Castro Laboreiro

Accommodation	Score	Location
House Fonte do Laboreiro	9.6	Castro Laboreiro
Hotel Miracastro	7.6	Castro Laboreiro
Just Natur GuestHouse	8.9	Castro Laboreiro

2. Accommodation tips in Soajo and surroundings

Accommodation	Score	Location
House Rautau	9.3	Soajo
House Riobom	9.3	Soajo
House of Raposeira	9.3	Soajo
Houses of Cavaleiro	9.7	Soajo
House Gandarela	9.5	Soajo
House of Bairros	9.2	Soajo
House of Pereiró	9.4	Soajo
RH Country House	9.5	Lindoso
House Fecha	9.1	Lindoso
Cerca dos Passais	8.9	Entre Ambos os Rios
Houses of Peneda	8.8	Gavieira
Houses of Cabecinhos	8.8	Paradamonte

3. Accommodation tips in Sistelo

Accommodation	Score	Location
Casa do Ferreiro	8.8	Sistelo
Casa da Fichua	9.4	Sistelo
Casa da Ferreirinha	8.8	Sistelo
Casa do Beijinho	8.8	Sistelo

4. Accommodation tips in Vilar de Veiga and Vila do Gerês

Accommodation	Score	Location
Pôr do Sol Lodge	8.9	Vilar da Veiga
Lake House	8.6	Vilar da Veiga
Verde Pinho	8.7	Vilar da Veiga
Beleza da Serra	8.7	Vilar da Veiga
Hotel Eco Salvador	8.7	Vilar da Veiga
Galicia Guesthouse	8.7	Vilar da Veiga
EIDO House	9.0	Vilar da Veiga
Blue Lagoon of Gerês	8.5	Vilar da Veiga
Hotel Central Garden	8.7	Vila do Gerês
Águas do Gerês Hotel	8.2	Vila do Gerês
Horizonte do Gerês	8.9	Vila do Gerês
Residencial Ribeiro	8.9	Vila do Gerês

5. Accommodation tips in Fafião and surroundings

Accommodation	Score	Location
Retiro do Gerês	8.8	Fafião
Hotel Rural Misarela	8.8	Sidros
Oficina do Joe	9.5	Outeiro
House Albelo do Gerês	9.4	Outeiro
House Baranda	8.9	Ermida
Encosta de Louredo	9.2	Louredo – Vieira do Minho
DOBAU Village	9.1	Louredo – Vieira do Minho

6. Accommodation tips in Pitões das Júnias

Accommodation	Score	Location
Casa do Preto	9.3	Pitões Das Júnias

Best Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park

With all the previous tips in mind, let’s discover what I consider to be the best hikes and trails in Peneda Gerês National Park. To help you understand this article, I’ve divided it into the following sections:

• Trails and Hikes in Serra da Peneda
• Trails and Hikes in Sistelo
• Trails and Hikes in Serra do Soajo
• Trails and Hikes in Serra Amarela
• Trails and Hikes in Serra do Gerês
• Trails and Hikes in the Serra do Xurés (galician alternative to Peneda Gerês National Park)

I also share with you a map with all the trails and hikes that I will mention, categorized by difficulty (easy in green; moderate in yellow; and difficult in red).

Note that I usually don't care whether or not the trails are marked. I ALWAYS do the ones that interest me the most, regardless of the marking, as I almost ALWAYS use Wikiloc/offline map.

In this article you will find several trails and hikes that are not official, and that are not marked. For all 34 trails in this article I will share a link to wikiloc, where you can download the kml and gpx files for free if you don't want to pay for the app.

ALWAYS USE AN OFFLINE MAP ON YOUR HIKES AND TRAILS IN PENEDA GERÊS NATIONAL PARK! ALWAYS, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP I'M SHARING!

Map with the best Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park

Trails and Hikes in Serra da Peneda

In Serra da Peneda I share with you a set of 3 trails to do, all close to Castro Laboreiro.

1. Trail to Castro Laboreiro Castle and Waterfall (Easy – 3km)

Most of the highlights of the Castro Laboreiro region do not need hikes or trails to be explored, or at least very long ones, as the main places to visit are close to paved roads. This is the case of Cava da Velha Bridge, for example, one of the main symbols of Castro Laboreiro.

That’s why I still haven’t done the Castrejo Trail in Peneda Gerês, with about 17km, choosing to use that time (a whole day!) in other activities. I simply went up to Castro Laboreiro Castle and then to Alborreca Viewpoint to see the waterfall. In total, I recommend a 3km walk to visit the essentials of this village in the North of Portugal.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês Trail in wikiloc.
• Positive slope of 130 meters, approximately.
• To the route shared in the link, it is necessary to add the small detour to the Alborreca viewpoint, after passing through Castro Laboreiro museum. I recommend going in the opposite direction to the one shown on wikiloc, to go around the cliff of the castle before going up.
• Take the hike at sunrise, when it’s at its most spectacular. 😉

2. Trail to Pontes Waterfall and Poço do Contador (Easy – 3km)

Another easy hike in Castro Laboreiro is the trail that starts in the village of Pontes. It has a waterfall, a lagoon (Poço do Contador) and even an aqueduct, all accessible in a 3km walk.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês Trail in wikiloc.
• Positive Slope of 70 meters.
• The village of Pontes is the most beautiful in Castro Laboreiro, in my opinion.

3. Trail to Poças do Malho (Easy – 9km)

Regarding Poças do Malho trail, on the border between Portugal and Spain, there are two possible starting points: Ribeiro de Baixo (Castro Laboreiro), or Olelas (on the Galician side). You will find a stunning viewpoint overlooking the waterfalls of the Laboreiro river, and also a lagoon worthy of a good swim in the summer. 😉

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.
• Positive slope of 270 meters.
• You can opt for shorter versions of the trail, going only to the viewpoint and returning to the starting point.

Note that the waterfalls and lagoons pictured below are not accessible for swimming, only if you are doing a canyoning activity with a tour company in the region. There is an accessible lagoon, but at another location along the route.

Trails and Hikes in Sistelo

Sistelo is not part of the PNPG, but it is so close, and has such fabulous trails and hikes, that I had to add it to this article as well. I will recommend 2 routes to walk in this region, which will allow you to discover Sistelo walkways and agricultural terraces, when visiting Arcos de Valdevez.

1. Trail of Ecovia do Vez, from Sistelo to Vilela (Easy – 11km)

Ecovia do Vez has a total of 32km, but I’m here just to write about the first part of it, which goes from Sistelo to Vilela. It is an ideal trail to do with the family, as it has several river beaches, natural lagoons, as well as wooden walkways, always following the river Vez.

• Link to this Sistelo trail on wikiloc.
• Highlight for the natural lagoon of Poço das Caldeiras, in this pedestrian route.
• This trail in Peneda Gerês is linear, one way, so you will have to take a taxi to return to Sistelo, or leave the car next to Vilela Bridge, to use it later.

2. Trail of Brandas do Sistelo (Moderate – 9km)

Still in Sistelo, there are 2 trails that allow you to walk between the agricultural terraces and climb to some “brandas” of the region. I recommend that you do the Trail of Brandas do Sistelo, which for me is much more complete than that of the terraces, allowing even better viewpoints. It’s the PR14 from Arcos de Valdevez.

• Link to this Sistelo Trail on wikiloc.
• Circular, positive slope of approximately 600 meters.
• The Trail of the Agricultural Terraces of Sistelo is much easier, however, with only 5km and a less steep slope (320 meters).

Note that Brandas were summer villages at the top of the mountain range, next to the best pastures for cattle in those months. In winter, however, people returned to their homes at the base of the mountain to protect themselves from the cold. On Brandas do Sistelo trail, you will visit the old Branda do Alhal and Branda de Rio Covo, for example.

Trails and Hikes in Serra do Soajo

In Serra do Soajo I have 4 hikes and trails to propose to you. They are all of easy to moderate difficulty and will allow you to visit more of Peneda Gerês National Park spectacular lagoons.

1. Trail to Druids Lagoon, in Tibo (Moderate – 5km)

Druids Lagoon is undoubtedly one of the best and most secret in Peneda Gerês, requiring a trail of about 5km that consists of a smaller version of the PR8 – Mixture of the Waters Trail. The latter starts and ends at the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda, and passes by the confluence of the Peneda and Laboreiro rivers, that is, the place where the waters of the two streams mix. 😉

What I propose is much shorter and easier, except in a specific place where there is a steeper slope for a few meters, with many loose stones that can make you fall if you are not experienced in mountain trails. Precisely for this reason, I consider the trail of moderate difficulty, but it is nothing that cannot be done with some care.

Next to the Peneda stream you will find a green space with plenty of shade, where people sometimes camp. It can also be a good spot for a picnic, although the lagoon is still a few hundred meters away.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês Trail on Wikiloc.

2. Trail to Soajo Lagoons (Easy – 6km)

The Trail to Soajo Lagoons will be of moderate difficulty if you intend to go up the Adrão River, beyond Poço das Canejas. If you don’t, it’s fairly easy for almost everyone.

This hike starts in the village of Soajo and allows you to discover 3 spectacular lagoons close to the village, namely the one next to the old Ladeira Bridge, Poço das Canejas, and Poço Negro.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on Wikiloc.
• Circular trail, slope of 270 meters.
• Don’t forget the detour to Poço das Canejas at km 3.8: link to Google Maps with the exact location of the lagoon.
• If you just want to visit Poço Negro, no need for walks, it is right next to a paved road accessible by car.

3. Interpretive Trail of Mezio (Easy – 3km)

Mezio is at short distance from Soajo, and has one of the most visited swings in the north of Portugal. It is a must visit place, as it is also one of the entrance gates to Peneda Gerês National Park. Next to these gates you can take a 3km interpretive trail, however, this trail does not pass through all the main tourist attractions in Mezio.

Another possibility is to take a longer route, not marked, which connects Mezio to the swing, and also to Porta do Sol Viewpoint, Travanca lagoons and several megalithic monuments. You can, however, visit all these places by car, as access is good!

• Link to Interpretive Trail of Mezio – wikiloc.
• Link to the longer trail of Mezio (aprox. 10km) – wikiloc
• The second, longer, is naturally more difficult, but still quite doable, with moderate difficulty at most, due to the greater difference in slope (almost 300 meters).

4. Trail of Ecovia do Ermelo (Easy – 10km)

Ecovia do Ermelo is actually a trail right on the edge of the area belonging to the Peneda Gerês National Park. It is a very easy trail that can be done by anyone, including children. It is a riverside path, always following the river Lima, and is named because it passes through the village of Ermelo, where you can visit the old Cistercian Romanesque monastery from the 13th century.

Note that the trail is linear, so you’ll have to take the same path back to the origin. In the 10km I indicated, this return is already considered. Walk at least the 2 km section that goes from Ermelo to the medieval bridge, where you will find appetizing natural lagoons. 😉

• Link to this Peneda Gerês Trail on wikiloc

Trails and Hikes in Serra Amarela

In Serra Amarela, I recommend 4 different trails: one next to Lindoso, another next to Ermida, a third in Germil and the last one next to Vilarinho das Furnas. They are all easy to moderate hikes.

1. Trail of the Parada Mills and Poço da Gola (Moderate – 16km)

The Parada Mills Trail is an excellent way to get to know Lindoso region, and even the most recommended way, as the nearby villages are very beautiful but have very narrow roads, where it is not easy to travel by car. If you visit the museum at Lindoso Castle, you will find references to the rock engravings of Penedo do Encanto, which you will also be able to admire along this walk.

The Parada Mills Trail passes by some sets of mills (as the name implies), and also by several granaries and the fabulous Poço da Gola, where you can go for a swim in the summer or on warmer days.

This is a trail in Peneda Gerês of moderate difficulty, as it is 16km long and has a positive slope of more than 500 meters. Instead of starting at Lindoso, start at Parada, reducing a few km to the walk.

• Link to this Peneda do Gerês Trail on Wikiloc.
• It is not necessary to do this trail if you just want to reach Poço da Gola, as it is easily accessible by car.

2. Trail to Poço da Baraceira (Moderate – 2km)

There are several lagoons in the Ermida region. One of them, my favourite, is Poço da Baraceira, which, unlike the others, requires a walk through some wild vegetation. It is because of this vegetation that I consider the trail of moderate difficulty, since in terms of length it is only about 2km (1km to go and another to return, since it is linear).

Poço da Baraceira is without a doubt one of the most idyllic places in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, and still relatively secret, so you might find it more exclusive. 😉

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on Wikiloc.

3. Trail of Germil (Easy – 9km)

I still haven’t done the Germil trail in Peneda Gerês, having only visited the village in question. However, I believe that it will be one of the best ways to get to know Serra Amarela, taking the mandatory detour to Portavênse Waterfall, or Germil Waterfall, which is just half a km from the village.

This hike is one of the official Trails in Peneda Gerês (PR6 when visiting Ponte da Barca), and is well marked. Along the way you will pass by several viewpoints, water courses and also by Fojo do Lobo de Germil, another of the great highlights of the region.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês Trail on wikiloc.

Curiosity: Fojo do Lobo was a V-shaped stone construction, used to capture wolves when the Iberian wolf was not yet a protected species. The wolves were lured there and then cornered to fall into the pit present at the end.

4. Trail of Vilarinho da Furna (Easy – 6km)

Vilarinho da Furna Trail is another hike in Peneda Gerês that is easy to follow and accessible for families. It starts next to the dam and follows a dirt road to a river beach about 2-3 km away, passing by the Gemesura River Waterfall. If the water level in the dam is low enough, you can still see the ruins of the old village of Vilarinho da Furna, which was submerged in 1971.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês Trail on Wikiloc.

Trails and Hikes in Serra do Gerês

Serra do Gerês is where you will find more trails, and also the most spectacular ones, in my opinion. In this article I will share 17 possibilities, but there are others, of course! 😉

For example, there are two official trails in Peneda Gerês that I haven’t done yet, and that are also not in my preferences for future hikes to be done there, which is why I don’t mention them in detail in this article. One is the “Água do Sarilhão” trail and the other is the “Fenda da Calcedónia” trail. Look for them if you don’t feel comfortable following unmarked mountain hikes.

1. Trail of Gerês Viewpoints (Moderate – 14km)

Gerês Viewpoints trail is quite difficult, as it is 14km long and has more than 700 meters of positive slope. It starts in Vila do Gerês, which will allow you to discover other highlights of the region, such as the Thermal Park, before or after going up the mountain. This trail passes by several nice panoramas of the Caniçada Dam, namely the Junceda, Boneca and Fraga Negra viewpoints.

I walked this trail in Peneda Gerês, but to be honest you don’t need to do it completely, as all the viewpoints are easily accessible by car, except for Boneca.

By car, be sure to visit Mirante Velho and also the viewpoint of Voltas de São Bento, which this trail does not include.

This is one of the official Hikes in Peneda Gerês, so it is well marked. For those who don’t have much experience in the national park but want a more challenging hike, this is the right choice. Start the trail very early, so you can make the big climb in milder weather, as it occurs in the first kms of the route, and then it will almost always be downhill! It’s a circular trail.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês Trail on wikiloc.

2. Sloth Trail (Easy – 4km)

The Sloth Trail (Trilho da Preguiça, in Portuguese) is one of the easiest hikes in Peneda Gerês and allows you to discover two waterfalls in the national park: Laja and Leonte. The second, however, can be seen from the road without walking, just driving towards Mata de Albergaria.

This is a trail that you can do at any time of the year, even in winter, when the waterfalls will have more water. It is a trail to do with children, especially if you just walk the easiest part of it that goes from the Sloth Viewpoint to Laja waterfall and then to the Leonte waterfall. All the surrounding vegetation is fascinating.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

3. Trail to the Messe Meadows (Difficult – 16km)

The Messe Meadows Trail passes through Total Protection Zone, so you should carefully read what I wrote at the beginning of this article about these zones, and the permits you need to collect to walk it.

It’s a spectacular trail in my opinion, that doesn’t need natural lagoons or even waterfalls to be one of the best I’ve ever done. It passes through several meadows in Peneda Gerês National Park (not only by the Messe Meadows) and also through stunning viewpoints.

It starts at the House of Leonte. It is difficult not only because of the length, but also because of the positive slope of more than 700 meters. The climb is arduous, and the part that takes place in the Total Protection Zone has to be done calmly, because of the places next to huge cliffs, where it is very easy to slip and even fall. Be careful!

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

4. Trail to Minas de Carris (Difficult – 26km)

I haven’t done the Trail to Minas de Carris yet, but I have it at the top of my list of hikes to do in the near future. It is a difficult walk due to the length and huge slope (more than 1000 meters), but I believe it will allow me to reach superb views of Peneda Gerês National Park.

Like the previous one, it passes through Total Protection Zone, so you should read my tips at the beginning of this article, to better prepare for it, following the rules of the national park. Permissions are required!

The recommendation I leave below, and which you can find on wikiloc, adds a detour to Pico da Nevosa, the highest point of Peneda Gerês. It starts at Portela do Homem.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

5. Trail to Mata de Albergaria Waterfalls (Easy – 10km)

The Trail to Mata de Albergaria waterfalls is also known as the Trail of the 7 Bridges. It’s a relatively easy trail that in summer allows you to find idyllic lagoons in the middle of the forest, excellent for spending a few hours swimming in cold waters. 😉

To do the full hike I’m writing about, you need a permit, as it crosses the Total Protection Zone like the previous ones. However, It is not mandatory to do this trail in its entirety, as the best spots appear before reaching Ponte Feia, where the crossing takes place.

Don’t forget to visit Portela do Homem waterfall, one of the most known by tourists, and always full of people in the summer.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

6. Trail from Arado Waterfall to Poço Azul, passing through Rocalva (Difficult – 14km)

The trail to Poço Azul (blue lagoon) is one of the most famous hikes in Peneda Gerês, as it really allows you to reach one of the best lagoons in the national park. The lagoon is actually green, but what does it matter? 😀

If you just want to visit Poço Azul, there is a version of moderate difficulty that you can choose to do, but I sincerely recommend a more difficult and much more spectacular route: the Trail from Arado Waterfall to Poço Azul, passing through the Rocalva Plateau, and therefore, through a deeper Peneda Gerês that is much less explored by visitors.

You don’t need a permit to do this trail, which is my favorite in the PNPG. However, you must make sure you have what it takes to complete it safely and start early as it is a full day hike. Along this route you will pass through several meadows in Peneda Gerês, and you may be lucky enough to see mountain goats.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.
• Positive slope of 700 meters, with some technical parts.

7. Trail to Rajada Waterfall (Easy – 7km)

Getting to Rajada Waterfall is relatively easy from the village of Ermida. You have 2 trail options, both easy to do, and which I present below:

• Option 1 – Linear Trail of ~4km: passes through the viewpoints of Vela, Silhas and then Rajada Waterfall. You return to Ermida using the same path.
• Option 2 – Circular Trail of ~7km. It consists of the previous option including a different route back to the starting point, passing by Fraga do Justo viewpoint. It’s the official version.

8. Trail to Poço Verde of Fafião (Easy – 4km)

Fafião is the starting point for excellent trails in Peneda Gerês. Below I share with you 3 walks to do when visiting Fafião, starting with the easiest: the Trail to Poço Verde, or Green Lagoon. It has less than 4km of length, to go and return.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

9. Circular Trail of Fafião (Moderate – 7km)

The Circular Trail of Fafião allows you to transform the previous linear route into a circular one. It has, therefore, a section exactly the same as the previous one, but it passes through many other tourist attractions in the village and surroundings, such as Fojo do Lobo de Fafião, Poço da Cancela, and even the lagoons of Pigarreira bridge. Choose this trail if you have more time to spend in Fafião.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

10. Trail of Vezeira de Fafião (Difficult – 20km)

Vezeira de Fafião Trail is a very difficult hike in Peneda Gerês that I haven’t done yet, but I know it will be one of my favorites, for the beauty that I’m sure I’ll find in the Fafião River Valley. It starts in the village, following one of the slopes of the valley to Porto da Lage, and returning along the other. Somewhere in between you can also visit the Laço and Touça rivers, and discover several natural lagoons.

It has almost 1000 meters of positive slope, and almost 20km in length, which can be increased if you want to make a detour to the fabulous Touça Slide. 😀 I really want to do it, and I’ll do it on my next visit to the PNPG.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

11. Trail to Pincães Waterfall (Easy – 4km)

The Pincães waterfall has an easy and linear trail in Peneda Gerês, starting and ending in the village of Pincães, on the outskirts of Fafião. The waterfall also has a small lagoon.

If you want to do a more difficult trail, however, there is an alternative that passes through Lagoas do Marinho. Very nice, with impressive natural views.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

12. Trail to the Bridge of Misarela (Easy – 2km)

Misarela Bridge is located next to the limits of the PNPG, on the border between the municipalities of Montalegre and Vieira do Minho. I started the trail to the bridge on Vieira do Minho side, and I also recommend that you do so, in order to walk along an ancient Roman road. The Misarela Bridge is also called the Devil’s Bridge, but more spectacular than the bridge itself are the waterfalls that fall there, which in times of rain or more water, are thunderous!

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

13. Trail to the 7 Lagoons of Xertelo (Moderate – 13km)

The Trail to the 7 Lagoons of Xertelo is one that I highly recommend on a first visit to the national park, as the lagoons are one of the best places to visit in Gerês, and are not that difficult to reach. In fact, I have 3 different hiking proposals:

• Easy Trail – Starts in Xertelo and goes to the 7 lagoons, returning using the same path.
• Moderate Trail – Circular hike to the 7 lagoons (official).
• Difficult Trail – Circular from Xertelo, passing through the 7 Lagoons and also Teixo Lagoon and Corga do Sobroso. It is quite easy to get to Teixo, but I do not recommend continuing to Corga do Sobroso, unless you are a very experienced hiker.

The 7 Lagoons of Xertelo, also known as 7 Poços Verdes of Sobroso, are a truly idyllic spot for the summer. They’re no secret anymore, so be prepared for the potential crowds on July and August weekends.

14. Trail to Cela Cavalos Waterfall and Poço Dola (Difficult – 16km)

Poço Dola Trail, passing by Cela Cavalos Waterfall, is the last hike that I consider to be difficult to do in this article, but of all the difficult ones already mentioned, you can consider it as the least difficult.

It starts next to the Chapel of Santa Luzia, and allows you to find beautiful landscapes of Peneda Gerês National Park, of which I highlight Biduiças meadow and surroundings, where the wonderful Poço Dola Waterfall is located.

Unfortunately, it passes through a few sections on dirt and even paved roads, but everything else will be totally worth it! It is undoubtedly one of the best and most beautiful trails in Peneda Gerês that I have ever done.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

15. Trail to Barrondas Waterfall (Easy – 5km)

The next 3 trails will be the last ones in Serra do Gerês, not far from Pitões das Júnias. The first is the Barrondas Waterfall Trail, which starts in the village of Travassos do Rio. It is an easy linear walk, with no major differences in slope, and allows you to reach the viewpoint to Barrondas Waterfall.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês trail on wikiloc.

16. Circular Trail of Pitões das Júnias (Easy – 6km)

The Circular Trail of Pitões das Júnias is the route to take to visit on foot all the main highlights of this village in Peneda Gerês National Park, such as the Monastery of Santa Maria das Júnias, the Waterfall of Pitões das Júnias (with walkways), and the viewpoint of the village, next to the cemetery and geodesic landmark.

Of course, you can reach each of these places almost by car, which I recommend, to have more time to do the trail that follows.

• Link to this Peneda Gerês Trail on Wikiloc.

17. Trail to the Chapel of São João da Fraga and Caldeiras do Pereira (Moderate – 12km)

The Trail to the Chapel of São João da Fraga allows a greater immersion in the territory of Pitões das Júnias than the previous hike. This chapel is the most fascinating place in the region, on top of a gigantic granite mountain. Along the way, you can relax in the natural pools called Caldeiras do Pereira. I made the trail from this link, however, I added the section that I leave in the photo below to also pass through Curral de Vergaças and Curral de Rebolo da Porca. 😉

Trails and Hikes in Serra do Xurés

Finally, I leave you with 4 hikes in Serra do Xurés. They are not Peneda Gerês trails in essence, but they are part of the Gerês-Xurés Transfrontier Biosphere Reserve, and are in my opinion as unmissable as the ones in Portugal! 😉

1. Trail to Corga da Fecha Waterfall (Easy – 5km)

Corga da Fecha Waterfall Trail starts in Os Baños, next to the fabulous public thermal pool of Lobios. Along the route you will find ancient Roman ruins, belonging to the Roman Geira that connected Braga to Astorga, and then some mills and a fabulous waterfall with a lagoon.

• Link to this Serra do Xurês trail on wikiloc.

2. Trail to Pozo Caído (Easy – 3km)

Getting to Pozo Caído is also very easy, starting from the river beach of Rio Pacin, in Entrimo. It is a linear route, about 3km long (round trip). The lagoon is superb, as you can see in the photo below, and there is another one a short distance away called Pozo de Cirolos.

• Link to this Serra do Xurés trail on wikiloc.

3. Trail to Pozo da Seima (Easy – 2km)

I consider this trail easy because of its reduced length. However, the descent is relatively complicated near the lagoon, and the climb back to the village of A Cela is steep and arduous, especially for the less prepared. It’s not a walk in the park!

Pozo da Seima is huge and has dark waters, which make it a little scary to swim in there, right? 😀

• Link to this Serra do Xurés trail on wikiloc.

4. Trail to Olas Waterfall (Moderate – 3km)

Olas Waterfall is on the Mao River and access is not easy. The trail does not have a high positive slope, but it is a bit technical to walk, with many rocky surfaces that in more humid periods can be very dangerous and slippery!

This is my least favorite trail in Serra do Xurés, anyway, so you can consider it optional. 😉

• Link to this Serra do Xurés trail on wikiloc.

Guided Tours to visit Peneda Gerês National Park

How about taking guided tours, or even canyoning tours or just accompanied trails to visit Peneda Gerês National Park? Below I leave some possibilities available, most of them for people that are looking for day trips from Porto.

• From Porto: Guided Tour to Gerês in a small group.
• From Porto: Guided Jeep Tour to Gerês with lunch.
• From Porto or Braga: Guided Tour to Gerês with Kayak activity.
• From Porto: Canyoning Experience in Peneda Gerês
• From Porto: Guided trail in Gerês.
• Trail next to Sistelo village.
• Kayak Experience at River Vez
• Paddle Experience at river Vez.
• Guided Tour through the Villages of Northern Portugal.

More info about North of Portugal!

Below you can access links to other articles with itineraries and things to do in Portugal. I hope you have fun hiking in the Peneda Gerês National Park. I, for one, have loved all my time there so far!

MORE ARTICLES FROM THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL:
- Porto Itinerary
- Things to do in Porto
- Best Museums in Porto
- Best Churches and Cathedrals in Porto
- Best Parks and Gardens in Porto
- Best Port Wine Cellars in Porto
- Best Beaches in Porto
- Best Day Trips from Porto
- Best Matosinhos Beaches
- Things to do in Matosinhos
- Things to do in Vila do Conde
- Things to do in Póvoa de Varzim
- Things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia
- Things to do in Espinho

- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo
- Things to do in Ponte de Lima
- Things to do in Monção
- Things to do in Valença
- Things to do in Caminha
- Things to do in Braga
- Things to do in Guimarães
- Things to do in Barcelos
- Things to do in Esposende
- Things to do in Arcos de Valdevez
- Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
- Best Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls and Lagoons

- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Douro Valley Wineries
- Best Douro Viewpoints
- Things to do in Peso da Régua
- Things to do in Lamego
- Things to do in Pinhão

- Best beaches in Northern Portugal
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary

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