Explore Peneda-Gerês National Park
8 days | from 870€
1 week self-guided walking holiday amid the magnificent mountain scenery and rural communities of Portugal's Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Guided walking tour through stunning landscapes and community villages.
Begin by exploring the picturesque yet authentic village of Lombadinha in the foothills of the Soajo Mountains, where community shepherding is still practiced. You may be lucky enough to see the goats and sheep being rounded up from village houses for a day’s grazing. You may also encounter Garrano horses or the long-horned cows as they roam the surrounding slopes.
Wolves once posed a real threat to local settlements, so the villagers built wolf traps to protect their livestock. You’ll see one, as well as stone shelters for shepherds and summer settlements, on the open hillsides between Lombadinha and the village of Bustelinhos.
Follow well-maintained tracks and old stone roads, including an ancient pilgrimage trail to Peneda Sanctuary. The surroundings are made up of gorse, heather, grass and granite as well as the magnificent views of the Soajo and Amarela mountain ranges. You’ll also pass beautiful waterfalls and patches of oak trees on this scenic walk.
At the Mezio Park Gates, you’ll have the opportunity to savour the pure mountain air, views and tranquility as you tuck into a picnic lunch of local cheese, smoked meats, preserves and other treats.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
9:00 am – Meet your guide in Arcos de Valdevez and transfer to Lombadinha (30 min drive) for a briefing before setting off
- Begin your linear guided walking tour
- Distance: 7.6 km
- Elevation (Gain/Loss): +345 meters | -229 meters
- Grade (Max/Min): +15.8% | -15.9%
- Duration: 3 hours walking
- Transfer to the Mezio Park Gate (15 min driving)
- Picnic lunch overlooking the mountains
- Visit the Mezio Park Gate
- Return to Arcos de Valdevez (20 min driving)
- The tour ends at 4:00 pm
Map
Peneda-Geres Mountain Village and Wolf Trap Hiking Trail
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Duration: 7:00 hours
Tour type: Guided
Nº of people: From 2
Walking grade: Easy to moderate
Total walking distance: 7,6 km
Region: Minho (Peneda-Gerês National Park)
Highlights: Authentic mountain village, unspoilt countryside, amazing views, community farming practices, picnic of local produce, wolf trap, shepherd’s shelters, chance of seeing Garrano horses, Cachena cows.
Available: All year round
Price per person:
- 2 to 3 pax: 230 euros
- 4 to 5 pax: 175 euros
- 6+ pax: 140 euros
What’s included?
- Experienced, knowledgeable English-speaking guide
- Picnic lunch with drinks
- Entrance and visit to Mezio Park Gate
- Transfer from Arcos de Valdevez to the starting and end points to Arcos de Valdevez
What’s not included?
- Private transfer from/to Porto (this can be arranged for an additional fee)
- Personal expenses or gratuities
Notes
- Although there are no long steep climbs, the terrain is rugged and requires appropriate walking shoes.
- There is hardly any shade so get an early start in summer months and make sure to protect yourself against the sun by wearing a hat and sun cream.
DIGITAL DETAILED ITINERARY
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