Things to do in Peneda-Gerês National Park

We offer you the gems of the National Park, the hidden secrets that the locals are kindly sharing with us! Surrounded by gorgeous mountain landscapes you will make short and accessible walks to reach a crystal clear lagoon and waterfall taken straight from fantasy books. Once there you will be able to ground yourself! Appreciate the magic scenery, wild swimming and the purest nature. Throughout our day, we might feel like travelling back to ancient times. We step in one of the last communitary villages in the Portuguese northeast. Where you will get to know a real interesting way of living, based on traditions and focus on heritage and cultural preservation. Food is a great way to preserve culture. Traditional meal in a local and welcoming restaurant with fair, flavoured, deliciou food and wine included! "Changing the world at an arm's distance!" Giving back to nature and the community by an environmental care project , it's our way to promote active and participative tourism. Being on the tour means being part of the process of reforestation in the National Park. Allow yourself to absorb all the sounds, smells, senses that this experience has to offer all year round.

OPTION 1 – Available All Year Round This option offers a visit to Gerês National Park, the only national park in Portugal. By choosing this experience, you'll enjoy a more relaxed day, with more driving and sightseeing (the Park is full of winding roads, make sure you are physically and mentally prepared for it). We’ll do a loop around the park, visiting the most beautiful waterfalls and viewpoints. Some walking will be necessary to access certain spots, but nothing too strenuous — just be sure to wear comfortable footwear. Depending on the season and weather, there may also be a chance to swim in one of the waterfalls we visit (swimming is more likely between June and September, so you can bring a towel and a swimsuit). Lunch will be at a very traditional restaurant featuring local cuisine, mainly meat dishes. Fish is available upon request. Vegan and vegetarian options are limited, but we will do our best to accommodate. On the way back, we'll stop for a quick visit to Bom Jesus de Braga, one of Portugal’s most beautiful monasteries, for some photos. ________________________________________ OPTION 2 – Available from June to September This option includes a 10 km (6.2 miles) hike to reach seven magnificent natural pools hidden deep within the park — a completely different experience from Option 1. The hike is divided into two stages: • 5 km (3.1 miles) from the starting point to the pools, where you’ll have 1.5–2 hours to swim and enjoy the area. • 5 km (3.1 miles) back to the starting point. The trail is uneven and without shade, but it has no steep slopes. Summer temperatures average around 28°C (82°F), though they can rarely reach up to 40°C (104°F) in August, making the hike more challenging for elderly participants, sedentary individuals, or those with heart conditions or asthma. Please ensure you are physically fit for this hike. Important: • Bring sunscreen, a hat, food for the day (no lunch provided), and plenty of water. • Group size: 8 to 15 participants, depending on bookings. Return to Porto is expected around 6:30 PM.

You will be picked up from your accommodation in the morning before heading toward Gerês. Explore the only national park in Portugal amazing spots in Gerês, including famous waterfalls, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim, and breathtaking viewpoints. You will also have the opportunity to visit one of the villages in the National Park and learn about its traditions. Note that by joining this tour you will indirectly contribute to a local development association. Your guides have local knowledge and will take you on a safe trip deep inside this natural paradise. Enjoy a picnic in a remote idyllic location (or a local meal at a typical restaurant, depending on the weather conditions) before heading back to your hotel. The itinerary may be adapted by the guide. Factors like the weather, amount of people in the park, or the characteristics of the group will be taken into account by the guide throughout the day.

Start your day at the National Park with a Kayak activity in the Caniçada reservoir (apx. 1h30 min). The magnificent landscape will be your background for the morning, while you can be active by paddling and swimming around the lake. Take a pit stop on a small sandy beach, to swim, relax and try stand up paddle. Savour a traditional meal in a local and welcoming restaurant with fair, delicious food and wine included! After lunch take the opportunity to appreciate the stunning views while driving to the next adventure. This is the moment where you emerge into the wilderness and beauty of the National Park. Easy/moderate level walk through to a magical path will take you to a stunningshing waterfall, you'll be able to ground yourself, swim and enjoy the magic! Throughout the day, you will learn about the cultural and traditional aspects of the villages in the Park. By taking part on this tour, you will be supporting our active/participative environmental project at the National Park. Challenge yourself and absorb all the sounds, smells, senses that this experience has to offer!

Explore the wonders of Gerês National Park on a thrilling canyoning adventure with this tour from Porto. Splash your way through the park's streams, waterfalls, and boulder formations with high-quality canyoning gear and enjoy pickup and drop-off in a climate-controlled van. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation in Porto and set off for the Gerês National Park. Get kitted out with all the necessary safety gear, including specially designed canyoning shoes and a wetsuit. Follow your guide into the park and begin your canyoning experience. Navigate downstream by swimming and sliding through natural pools, waterfalls, and chutes shaped by the powerful river. Glide with zip lines that end with a splashdown in the water. Try out abseiling and even get the chance to leap from rocks into the water. At the end of your tour, take advantage of a convenient return transport back to your accommodation in Porto.

Are you tired of the day-to-day? Are you looking for a burst of adrenaline? This is the ideal activity for you! Canyoning Adventure is one of the most challenging experiences you can have on the Portuguese mainland, at Peneda-Gêres National Park! Navigate downstream by swimming and sliding through natural pools, waterfalls, and chutes that have been shaped by the powerful river. Soar with zip-lines ending on the water, try abseiling, and several have the chance to jump from rocks into the water.

Main points: • The client drives. • Mountain and forest tour. • Areas of great unevenness. • Lots of adventure and adrenaline. • The ideal tour for off-road initiation. • Mud and water for much of the year. • You can do it as a couple or as a family. • Panoramic view over Vale do Vez. • Panoramic view over the Peneda Gerês National Park. Trail: • Duration: 1h • Off-road: 75% • Distance: 17 km • Maximum altitude: 450 m Vehicle: • Cfmoto Zforce 550 Ex • Cfmoto Zforce 950 Sport 4 Embark on this buggy adventure and live an incredible experience.

Main points: • The client drives. • Magical forests. • It is the best-selling tour. • Areas of great unevenness. • Fantastic green landscapes. • Maximum altitude of approx. 800m. • Mountain and forest tour. • Mud and water for much of the year. • Greater possibility of seeing wild animals. • Panoramic view over the Peneda Gerês National Park. • Panoramic view of the Portuguese coast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Trail: • Duration: 2h • Off-road: 70% • Distance: 35 km • Maximum altitude: 800 m Vehicle: • Cfmoto Zforce 550 Ex • Cfmoto Zforce 950 Sport 4 Embark on this buggy adventure and live an incredible experience.

Embark on a mesmerizing journey from Santa Catarina Street in a cozy mini-van, starting your day with a delightful breakfast inclusive of pastel de nata, fruit, coffee, and water for the day en route to Gerês National Park. Join a small group for a day filled with hidden park treasures and local secrets. Traverse breathtaking mountain landscapes on short 4 km walks each way to uncover the 7 crystal-clear lagoons and waterfalls straight out of a fantasy novel. Immerse yourself in enchanting scenery, indulge in traditional Portuguese finger foods, and enjoy wild swimming in nature's purest form. Transport yourself to ancient times as we visit one of the final communal villages in the Portuguese northeast, where you'll experience a fascinating way of life steeped in traditions, heritage, and cultural preservation.

Enjoy a unique experience that will allow you to explore one of the most beautiful nature routes in the water in a Kayak: the Açudes section. Discover the route that connects Ponte da Barca and Ponte de Lima. Cross safely fast dams with a low degree of difficulty, inserted in a pollution-free valley, allowing you to enjoy nature in its pure and relaxing state. During this experience, you will be accompanied by a monitor in the water and a support vehicle outside the river, bringing all the safety and guidance necessary for beginners and pros.