Pedro DominguesPeneda Gerês National Park is a natural paradise in the north of Portugal. It is the Mecca for hiking lovers who seek, in addition to impressive landscapes, the refreshing waters of fabulous waterfalls and lagoons.
Many people want to visit Peneda Gerês, as it is the only Portuguese national park, but information is scarce, and there are still many secrets about the location of the best lagoons and waterfalls, and about the trails needed to get there.
In this article I will reveal some of those secrets, but please don’t let me down and be a responsible visitor, respecting the rules of the national park and leaving each natural place as you found it, or even better. Everyone has the right to enjoy Peneda Gerês freely, now and in the future, so we must preserve it as much as we can.
You might think that most Peneda Gerês National Park waterfalls and lagoons are difficult to reach, but in fact only 14 that I will mention in this list of 59 will have moderate to difficult access. As far as safety is concerned, of course, they are all much more dangerous than a simple river beach, for example, so you should also be much more careful around them. People have already died in some of these waterfalls and lagoons, did you know that?
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Advice for visitors and hikers in Peneda Gerês
- 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.
- Do not go alone to visit Peneda Gerês National Park waterfalls and lagoons, as they are mostly wild places, and therefore naturally more dangerous, where the risk of an accident is greater! You should always go with someone, especially if you want to swim in the natural pools.
- Prepare and carry a first aid kit with you, which we hope will never be needed.
- Do not visit Peneda Gerês waterfalls and lagoons on rainy days or shortly after raining. Rocky surfaces are frequent near these locations, which will be very slippery with water.
- 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 you are going to walk an official and marked trail. That way you can easily figure out how to get back on track if you get lost, or how to avoid it! In my article about the best hikes and trails in Peneda Gerês, I describe how to use offline and wikiloc maps, and how to download .gpx and .kml files.
- 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. That way you can stay more time next to the best Peneda Gerês National Park waterfalls and lagoons.
- 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 lagoons. Preserve the beauty of Portugal’s unique National Park!
Travel Insurance to hike in Peneda Gerês
When hiking in the mountains, you should always take out travel insurance, as the occurrence of any type of bad luck is always much more frequent! Choose prevention, because every year there are accidents near the best Peneda Gerês National Park waterfalls and lagoons and we are all subject to a second of distraction.
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 visit some Peneda Gerês National Park waterfalls and lagoons in the summer.
Where to sleep when visiting the best Peneda Gerês waterfalls and lagoons?
With regard to places to sleep in Peneda Gerês, I leave you several suggestions below, divided by the main regions in the 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 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 |
4. 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 |
5. Accommodation tips in Pitões das Júnias
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Casa do Preto | 9.3 | Pitões Das Júnias |
Best 59 Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls and Lagoons
Here is the promised list of 59 lagoons and/or waterfalls in Peneda Gerês National Park. To help you understand this article, I’ve divided it into the following parts:
- Best Lagoons and Waterfalls in Serra da Peneda
- Best Lagoons and Waterfalls in Serra do Soajo
- Best Lagoons and Waterfalls in Serra Amarela
- Best Lagoons and waterfalls in Serra do Gerês
- Best Lagoons and Waterfalls in Serra do Xurés
I also share with you a map with all 59 places that I will mention, categorized by access difficulty (easy in green; moderate in yellow; and difficult in red).
Note that whenever trails are needed to visit a Peneda Gerês Waterfall or Lagoon, I will leave you a support link to wikiloc, to help you find all the necessary information about it.
Once again, I mention that I ALWAYS use offline maps on my trails in Peneda Gerês National Park, and that you can download the .gpx and .kml files directly from wikiloc, free of charge.
Map with the best Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls and Lagoons
Best Lagoons and Waterfalls in Serra da Peneda
In Serra da Peneda I gathered a set of 8 Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls / Lagoons to visit, all in the region of Castro Laboreiro and Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda.
1. Lamas de Mouro River Pool
- Easy Access
- Hiking required? No, it’s close to the road.
- Coordinates: 42.038851, -8.196738
The first lagoon is actually an artificial river pool created by stopping water from the stream that passes through the entrance gate in Lamas de Mouro. It is only available to the public in the summer months, with the floodgates open in the remaining months. As I have never visited Lamas de Mouro in the summer, I leave you a photo below of the pool surroundings, in the middle of spring. Nearby there is a café, a picnic area in the forest and even a campsite.
2. Rodeiro Waterfall
- Easy Access.
- Hiking required? Yes, but very short, of only half a kilometer. It starts in the village of Rodeiro, on the outskirts of Castro Laboreiro. Link to wikiloc.
- Coordinates: 42.053090, -8.134091
Rodeiro Waterfall is one of my favorites in Castro Laboreiro, and is close to a village that is very typical of the region, and very authentic. It has a small lagoon at the base of the waterfall, where you can bathe. In the surroundings there is a lot of stone surface, so you have to be careful on more humid or rainy days, not to slip and fall. Be sure to admire the old mills that are next to the waterfall.
3. Laboreiro Waterfall
- Easy access, if you only consider the viewpoint for the waterfall.
- Hiking Required? Yes, but very short, to the Alborreca viewpoint. Access is via a dirt road from Castro Laboreiro museum.
- Coordinates: 42.029898, -8.154599 (Alborreca Viewpoint)
Laboreiro Waterfall is close to the center of Castro Laboreiro. It starts to fall near the Old Bridge, and forms a succession of lagoons and waterfalls to its base. From the viewpoint you can see windmills on the hillside, and you can see that the last lagoon would be excellent for swimming, if it were easily accessible. 😉 I don’t even recommend trying it, as there are better alternatives for lagoons in Peneda Gerês National Park.
4. Cava da Velha Bridge Lagoon
- Easy access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, but very short, as a paved road passes very close to Cava da Velha Bridge. You can, however, choose to do the Castrejo Trail instead.
- Coordinates: 42.002996, -8.163177
Cava da Velha Bridge is one of the most fascinating ancient constructions in Castro Laboreiro region. It’s Roman in origin around the 1st century, and I’m sure you’ll admire the way it blends in with the landscape. The lagoon is on the river, and access is via stairs dug into the rock, if memory serves me correctly. It allows for a good swim, and if you are doing a longer hike, as is the case of Castrejo Trail, it can be a good stop to rest.
5/6. Pontes Waterfall and Poço do Contador
- Easy access.
- Hiking required? Yes, from the village of Pontes, near Castro Laboreiro. The trail goes from the village to Pontes aqueduct, then takes a detour to Pontes Waterfall, returning later to pass through Poço do Contador.
- Link to trail on wikiloc.
- Pontes Waterfall coordinates: 41.995162, -8.164924
- Coordinates of Poço do Contador: 41.990343, -8.159026
In total, the trail is about 3km, round trip. The village of Pontes is for me the most beautiful in the region, and this trail is a must because it really has a bit of everything: beautiful landscapes, monuments, lagoons and waterfalls in Peneda Gerês National Park.
7. Poças do Malho or Pozas do Mallón
- Easy access.
- Hiking required? Yes, and you can start it in two different locations: Olelas (in Galicia), or Ribeiro de Baixo (in Castro Laboreiro). You can do just one part of it, to the viewpoint of Poças do Malho (about 4 to 5km), or the route in its entirety, from Olelas to Ribeiro de Baixo, or vice versa (9km round trip).
- Link to trail on wikiloc.
- Coordinates to Poças do Malho: 41.932629, -8.202195
- Coordinates to the lagoon ideal for baths: 41.929211, -8.203360
The waters of Poças do Malho are only accessible through canyoning with a tourist company from the region, such as Montes de Laboreiro. For a good swim, I recommend another lagoon, for which I left the coordinates above. The trail is well marked from the beginning in Olelas to the viewpoint of these lagoons and waterfalls in Peneda Gerês National Park. There is no marking, however, from the viewpoint to Ribeiro de Baixo, so I recommend using an offline map or wikiloc.
8. Peneda Waterfall
- Easy access.
- Hiking required? No, as it is visible from the churchyard of the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda.
- Coordinates: 41.974819, -8.224901
Peneda Waterfall falls next to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda, flowing down the huge granite boulder that is next to it. It is the Sanctuary that most impresses, however, mainly its staircase of virtues, with statues representing Faith, Hope, Charity and Glory. This is one of the most mandatory places in any Peneda Gerês National Park itinerary, and with a beautiful waterfall it becomes even more essential.
Best Lagoons and Waterfalls in Serra do Soajo
In Serra do Soajo I gathered a set of 6 Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls and Lagoons to visit. However, there will be 10 in total on this section, as I decided to add 4 more that are in the vicinity of Serra do Soajo but already outside the PNPG itself.
1. Poço das Caldeiras on Ecovia do Vez
- Easy access.
- Hiking required? No, because there are access walkways to the lagoon, and even a car park a short distance away. However, you can find it on Ecovia do Vez, walking from Sistelo to Vilela.
- Coordinates: 41.941040, -8.427864
Poço das Caldeiras is one of the cases that is not even included in the PNPG, but I had to mention it here for its beauty. It is a natural lagoon that you can find when walking one of the most beautiful trails in the North of Portugal, which is the Ecovia do Vez. Along this route you can also discover the village of Sistelo, a wonder of Portugal, enjoy the Sistelo River Beach, the wooden walkways, and the River Beach next to the Vilela Bridge.
2/3. Lagoons of Grade and Gralheira
- Access: easy to moderate.
- Hiking Required? Yes. It is very easy to reach the main lagoon of Grade, as it is close to Grade bridge, on Ázere river (starting point). Lagoons of Gralheira can be accessed from the village of Cabana Maior and access to the river is a little more difficult.
- Coordinates of Grade Lagoons: 41.876618, -8.369731
- Coordinates of Gralheira Lagoons: 41.882308, -8.345087
These are not Peneda Gerês National Park Lagoons, but they also have their own beauty, as you can see in the photo below. They’re also not known as well as those at Soajo and Mezio, which I’ve yet to introduce you to, so you’ll be able to find them with fewer people, and more exclusive.
4. Travanca Lagoons (Mezio)
- Easy access.
- Hiking required? No, as they are relatively close to the road.
- Coordinates: 41.903981, -8.315358
The Lagoons of Travanca are very close to the PNPG Entrance Gate of Mezio. In fact, there is only one lagoon that is definitely worth a swim, and then there are wooden walkways that take you to smaller ones along the river. To reach the main lagoon, do not follow the walkways, but turn left onto a dirt road. If you do that, you’ll easily get to the spot where I took the picture below.
5. Poço das Mantas in Soajo
- Easy access.
- Hiking required? No, as it is close to the road.
- Coordinates: 41.880668, -8.268404
Poço das Mantas is an artificial pool in Soajo, created to cater for all types of visitors. If you are traveling with children or elderly people with less mobility, this is the place not to be missed, as it is one of the most practical lagoons in Peneda Gerês National Park. It also has a picnic area, and the surrounding landscape is spectacular.
6/7/8. Poço Negro, Poço das Canejas and Ladeira Bridge Lagoon
- Easy access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, but only Poço das Canejas and Ladeira Bridge Lagoon require it. You can, however, go on a circular route to discover them all on foot.
- Link to the circular trail of the lagoons in Soajo (wikiloc).
- Coordinates to Poço Negro: 41.878478, -8.257026
- Coordinates to Ladeira Bridge Lagoon: 41.872765, -8.256077
- Coordinates to Poço das Canejas: 41.883013, -8.250430
Poço Negro is the best known of the three, and access is via a staircase from the road. There are a lot of rocks next to this lagoon, so be careful when you’re down there.
Poço das Canejas, in turn, is the most difficult to access of the three, but even so, relatively easy to reach. It will get complicated, only if you decide to go upstream, where there are more Peneda Gerês National Park lagoons on the river. No need to do it, in my opinion.
9. Ermelo Lagoons
- Easy access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, it needs a walk of at least 2 km on the Ecovia de Ermelo.
- Coordinates: 41.858104, -8.284371
Ermelo Lagoons are located on the edge of PNPG, and can be reached by walking 2 km along Ecovia de Ermelo in direction to the medieval bridge. The lagoons are right under and next to this bridge. Take the opportunity to get to know the old Romanesque Cistercian monastery from the 13th century, located in the village where you will start the trail. You can do the rest of the ecovia, which has a total of 10km always following Lima river.
10. Druids Lagoon in Tibo
- Access: moderate difficulty.
- Hiking required? Yes, it requires a walk of about 5km from the village of Tibo.
- Link to trail on wikiloc.
- Coordinates: 41.934790, -8.233060
The last Peneda Gerês National Park lagoon in this section is called Druids Lagoon. It is my favourite in Serra do Soajo, actually. The necessary trail passes through green places where people use to camp.
Best Lagoons and Waterfalls in Serra Amarela
In Serra Amarela, 8 more incredible suggestions for lagoons or waterfalls in Peneda Gerês National Park await you. All relatively easy to access.
1. Poço da Gola in Lindoso
- Easy access.
- Hiking required? No. It is just a few meters from a paved road.
- Coordinates: 41.857874, -8.222807
Poço da Gola is an artificial lagoon next to several old mills, not far from Lindoso. Note that you’ll find a natural lagoon right at the entrance after the bridge: it’s hidden and much more secret, full of small waterfalls around.
2. Chão de Além Lagoon
- Easy access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, but it’s a very short walk.
- Lagoon coordinates: 41.821458, -8.312198
- Entry access coordinates: 41.822680, -8.312820
Chão de Além Lagoon is located in Entre Ambos-os-Rios, and access is via a side dirt road that starts next to N203. It seemed to be very busy, as there were already a lot of people enjoying it, even in the middle of spring.
3. Poço de Froufe
- Easy Access
- Hiking Required? Não.
- Coordinates: 41.822, -8.30113.
It is located next to Froufe Bridge, making it easy to reach by car. It’s the simplest on this list, and therefore, it’s the one I consider the most optional.
4. Poço da Baraceira and waterfall (Lourido)
- Access: moderate difficulty, due to the harsh vegetation around, closing the path, at least at the time of my visit.
- Hiking required? Yes, but only 2km round trip, approximately.
- Coordinates to the beginning of the path: 41.82238, -8.27609
- Coordinates of Poço da Baraceira: 41.819602, -8.270131
- Link to wikiloc.
This is one of my favorite Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls, with a magnificent lagoon. If you open google maps in street view, you can see the path you have to take to get there.
5/6. Ermida Waterfall and Poço da Carcerelha
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? No. They are both next to the access road to the village of Ermida.
- Coordinates to Poço da Carcerelha: 41.812341, -8.261945
- Coordinates to Ermida Waterfall and Poço Negro: 41.811910, -8.258803
These two places are no secret, as they are well identified on the way to Ermida. They are unmissable points on a tour of the region, but not as spectacular and remote as Poço da Baraceira.
7. Portavênse Waterfall in Germil
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, but very short.
- Coordinates to Germil Waterfall: 41.786425, -8.262292
The Portavense (or Germil) Waterfall is one of the few that I haven’t visited yet, which I mention in this article. It’s about half a km from the village of Germil, and I think it’s worth the walk, from the video I share with you below. There are marks pointing to it in the village of Germil, so you just need to follow them.
8. Gemesura River Waterfall
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, Vilarinho das Furnas Trail.
- Coordinates: 41.769726, -8.205342
Gemesura River Waterfall is at short distance from the Vilarinho das Furnas dam. It is, in fact, on the route that goes from that dam to the river beach of Vilarinho da Furna, next to the ruins of the village submerged in 1971. 2-3 km to each side, you wish to go all they way to river beach.
Best Lagoons and Waterfalls in Serra do Gerês
It is in Serra do Gerês that you will find the most difficult waterfalls and lagoons to access, and it is also in this part of Peneda Gerês National Park that you will find the largest number of suggestions in this article: 25 lagoons / waterfalls.
1/2. Laja and Leonte Waterfalls
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, an oficial trail called Sloth Trail. Done completely, it’s about 4-5km.
- Coordinates to Laja Waterfall: 41.754210, -8.150524
- Coordinates to Leonte Waterfall: 41.760703, -8.149188
Leonte Waterfall is actually visible from the road; Laja Waterfall is the one that requires walking along the sloth trail. Both are most spectacular during the spring or winter months as they have little water in the summer. They don’t have lagoons!
3. Waterfalls and Lagoons of Mata de Albergaria
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, the 7 bridges trail of Mata de Albergaria.
- Coordinates to Ponte Feia Waterfall: 41.79525, -8.13584
In Mata de Albergaria you will also find a Roman Geira to walk along, while you head to the waterfalls and lagoons. Ponte Feia Waterfall stands out, but there are others along the way. Read the article about the Best Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park, because you need authorization to cross zones of total protection, and I explain there how you can get it.
4. Portela do Homem Waterfall
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? No, because it is right next to the road, and you can see it from there. However, you will need to park your car in Portela do Homem, if you want to go there to swim in the lagoon, next to the waterfall is forbidden.
- Coordinates: 41.803617, -8.128316
The Waterfall of Portela do Homem is also called Waterfall of São Miguel. It has a lagoon that is very popular in the summer, due to its easy access and the transparency of its waters. In the photo below you will see the waterfall with a lot of water, as I took it in the spring, and in a period of some rain.
5/6. Arado Waterfall and Poço Azul
- Easy Access, considering only Arado Waterfall.
- Moderate Access in the case of Poço Azul.
- If you go on the trail from Arado Waterfall to Poço Azul, passing through Rocalva, it becomes difficult access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, check this one I recommend. It is the very best I ever did in Peneda Gerês.
- Coordinates to Arado Waterfall: 41.723823, -8.129993
- Coordinates to Poço Azul: 41.733504, -8.106914
Poço Azul, or blue lagoon, is among the most beautiful Peneda Gerês National Park Lagoons. But it’s actually green, or at least that’s how I found it. Be very careful at Arado Waterfall, which is not at all safe for swimming!
7. Rajada Waterfall (Ermida)
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, Rajada Waterfall circular trail from the village of Ermida. In total it is 7km long, also passing by the Viewpoints of Vela, Silhas and Fraga do Justo.
- Coordinates to Rajada Waterfall: 41.713700, -8.125771
When doing Rajada Waterfall trail, which is very easy, don’t forget to look for some lagoons upstream of the river, above the waterfall itself. 😉 A lot of people stay by the waterfall, but there are lagoons further up if you want to explore.
8. Tahiti Waterfall
- Easy Access to the top of the waterfall, but difficult and dangerous access to its base.
- Hiking Required? No, it is close to the road, between Ermida and Fafião.
- Coordinates: 41.703722, -8.109567
This is the most spectacular of all Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls, in my opinion. However, it is also a place where many accidents and even deaths have occurred.
Should you visit it? Yes, of course, but be very careful on the way down to the base of the waterfall, if access is not prohibited at the time of your visit. Do not go for baths in the lagoons due to the very high risk of falling, which can be fatal! There are other better options in this article.
9/10/11. Poço Verde, Poço da Cancela and Pigarreira Bridge Lagoons, all in Fafião
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? The only one that requires a trail is Poço Verde in Fafião (green lagoon), as the rest are very close to roads. I recommend, however, the circular trail of Fafião, with about 7km and moderate difficulty.
- Link to trail in wikiloc.
- Coordinates to Poço Verde in Fafião: 41.713820, -8.088020
- Coordinates to Poço da Cancela: 41.706360, -8.096470
- Coordinates to Pigarreira Bridge Lagoons: 41.710149, -8.093258
Of these 3 lagoons in Peneda Gerês National Park, the most beautiful is Poço Verde, and the most impressive is Poço da Cancela. The small lagoons of Pigarreira Bridge are only optional, as they are not that big or deep enough.
12/13/14. Porto da Lage, Touça Slide and Fafião River Lagoons
- Difficult Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, Vezeira de Fafião Hike, adding the detour to Touça Slide. In total, 20km of extension and approximately 1000 meters of positive slope.
- Coordinates to Porto da Lage: 41.749023, -8.077348
- Coordinates to Touça Slide: 41.754820, -8.082880
- Coordinates to a secret lagoon in Fafião River: 41.741560, -8.077370
I never been to these locations yet, as I haven’t done the Vezeira de Fafião trail before. This is one of the trails I most want to do when I return to Peneda Gerês.
Porto da Lage is actually a small dam in a deep area of the national park, on the Fafião river. Upstream you will find Touça Slide, famous for allowing you to slide over the wet stone to the lagoon. Finally, walking along the Fafião river, stone by stone, you will reach some secret lagoons, like the one I leave above with the coordinates.
15. Pincães Waterfall
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, the Trail to Pincães Waterfall (linear), with more or less 4km, round trip, from the village of Pincães.
- Coordinates to Pincães Waterfall: 41.715569, -8.059658
This waterfall is accompanied by a lagoon and is nestled next to a steep cliff and dense vegetation. You can see it in the photo.
16. Misarela Bridge Waterfalls
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Ye, but very short. I started the trail on Vieira do Minho side, and I also recommend that you do so, as you can walk first along an ancient Roman road. It will be about 2km long.
- Link to the trail in wikiloc.
- Coordinates to Misarela Bridge: 41.692004, -8.019535
Misarela Bridge is located right on the limits of PNPG, on the border between the municipalities of Montalegre and Vieira do Minho. It also has the name of Devil’s Bridge, but more spectacular than the bridge itself are the waterfalls that fall next to it, which in times of rain or more water, are an authentic brutality.
17/18/19. 7 Lagoons of Xertelo + Teixo Lagoon + Corga do Sobroso Waterfalls
- Access: Easy to moderate difficulty, if you consider only the 7 Lagoons of Xertelo and Teixo Lagoon. Difficult if you decide to go to the Waterfalls of Corga do Sobroso, further north and upstream on the same river.
- Hiking Required? Yes, the 7 lagoons trail, from Xertelo.
- 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.
- Coordinates to the 7 Lagoons: 41.758959, -8.027229
- Coordinates to Teixo Lagoon: 41.767100, -8.030600
- Coordinates to Corga do Sobroso Waterfalls: 41.777740, -8.032150
This is one of the best trails in Peneda Gerês National Park, and these are also some of the best lagoons there, with successive waterfalls next to them. One of the most mandatory places to visit while on the region, and an experience not to be missed on a first trip.
The 7 Lagoons of Xertelo are also named after 7 Green Lagoons of Sobroso, and are truly an idyllic place for a swim in the summer. They’re no secret, so be prepared for the possible crowds on weekends in July and August.
20/21. Cela Cavalos Waterfall + Poço Dola
- Access: Easy, in the case of Cela Cavalos Waterfall. Difficult, in the case of Poço Dola.
- Hiking Required? Yes, the circular hike that starts in Cela (Santa Luzia Chapel). It has approximately 16 km.
- Coordinates to Cela Cavalos Waterfall: 41.760913, -7.986848
- Coordinates to Poço Dola: 41.796, -8.0009
- Coordinates to a lagoon next to Poço Dola: 41.797243, -8.001221
You can go for a swim in any of these places, however I recommend the lagoon next to Poço Dola, in a more remote place, and without people around. The trail passes through Biduiças Meadow, with beautiful colors in Spring.
22. Paradela Waterfall
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? No.
- Coordinates: 41.75683, -7.94756
I discovered Paradela Waterfall by chance, following a sign next to the Paradela dam. I have never visited it in the summer, but I think it will be dry or with low quantity of water.
23. Barrondas Waterfall
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes. The trail starts in the village of Travassos do Rio and has around 5km, round trip. It is linear, and the goal is to access a viewpoint to the waterfall, as you see in the picture below.
- Link for the trail in wikiloc.
- Coordinates: 41.82037, -7.89864
The walk is very easy, but it doesn’t have very interesting landscapes besides the ones you find next to the waterfall. In the village of Travassos do Rio, visit the Ox Tower.
24. Caldeiras do Pereira
- Access: Moderate Difficulty
- Hiking Required? Yes. It is 6km (round trip) from the village of Pitões das Júnias to Caldeiras do Pereira, but I recommend that you do the complete trail that passes also through São João da Fraga Chapel, which is spectacular on the top of a remote mountain. If you do so, it will be about 12 km.
- Link to the trail in wikiloc.
- Coordinates: 41.833690, -7.961310
Caldeiras do Pereira is a set of 2 lagoons and waterfalls in Peneda Gerês National Park next to Pitões das Júnias. One of the lagoons is easy to access, the other is not for everyone! Anyway, I think you’ll be more than satisfied with the first one!
25. Pitões das Júnias Waterfall
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? No, you only need to walk to the viewpoint on wooden walkways.
- Coordinates to the viewpoint: 41.829758, -7.950086
Pitões das Júnias Waterfall should not be ignored, as it is a giant waterfall in height. Reaching the base is not possible, settle for the viewpoint. In the surroundings, also visit the old Monastery of Santa Maria das Júnias.
Best Lagoons and Waterfalls in Serra do Xurés
To finish, let’s discover the best lagoons and waterfalls in Serra do Xurés which, despite not being on the National Park, is part of the Gerês-Xurés Transfrontier Biosphere Reserve, being very close. This is also an area with free accessible thermal pools, which I also leave below as a suggestion, for those who prefer hotter waters. 😉
1. Vilariño Waterfall
- Easy Access
- Hiking Required? No.
- Coordinates: 41.876357, -7.884551
Vilariño Waterfall is located not far from Tourém. It is just optional, as it is not very big, nor highly majestic, but it is easily accessible, so you can add it to your itinerary if time is not an issue!
2. Olas Waterfall
- Access: Moderate Difficulty.
- Hiking Required? Yes. Link to the trail in wikiloc.
- Coordinates: 41.893105, -8.019039
Olas Waterfall is located on the Mao River, and access is a bit complicated. The trail does not have much difference in level, but it has some technical parts on rock, which in more humid periods can be quite dangerous! There are several pools along the river, next to the waterfall, but it is the lagoon close to it that stands out the most.
3. Pozo da Seima or Dark Lagoon
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, from the village of A Cela. The trail is linear and has only about 2km in total, round trip.
- Link for the trail in wikiloc.
- Coordinates: 41.915186, -8.032203
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.
Pozo da Seima is gigantic, and is also called Dark Lagoon due to its dark waters, which are a little scary to swim. 😀
4. Corga da Fecha Waterfall
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? It depends. It is not necessary to walk to the waterfall viewpoint, as it is located on the side of the road that leads to Lobios from Portela do Homem. To go to the base of the waterfall, however, it is necessary to walk for about 5km (round trip), with the trail starting next to the thermal pool of Os Baños.
- Link for the trail in wikiloc.
- Coordinates to the waterfall viewpoint: 41.848753, -8.114188
- Coordinates to the waterfall itself: 41.846544, -8.110323
Along the mentioned route you will find ancient Roman ruins, belonging to the Roman Geira that connected Braga to Astorga, and then some mills. At the base of the waterfall there are lagoons, but you will certainly prefer the public thermal pools in the region, which are the next two points in this article.
5. Thermal pool of Lobios in Os Baños
- Easy and free Access.
- Hiking Required? No. It has infrastructure in the surroundings, namely cafes and good parking. There is also a huge green park next to the pool, where you can bathe directly in the river Caldo, if you prefer. This is where the thermal waters flow to.
- Coordinates: 41.862509, -8.106569
6. Roman Thermal Pools of Bande
- Easy and free access.
- Hiking Required? No.
- Coordinates: 41.979501, -7.981781
The Roman Thermal Pools of Bande are the furthest point of this article, from Peneda Gerês National Park. It’s worth the trip if you also want to visit Aquis Querquennis, an impressive complex of Roman ruins in Encoro das Conchas, on the banks of Lima River.
7/8. Pozo Caído and Pozas de Cirolos
- Easy Access.
- Hiking Required? Yes, but very easy from Pacin River Beach, in Entrimo.
- Coordinates to Pozo Caído: 41.951694, -8.089639
- Coordinates to Pozas de Cirolos: 41.93518, -8.09755
The route to Pozo Caído is about 3km (round trip) from the river beach. At a similar distance, but in the opposite direction to the route taken to Pozo Caído, are Pozas de Cirolos. I prefer the first lagoon, but both are nice spots to discover in galician territory.
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 exploring all the main lagoons and waterfalls in 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 Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park - 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
