Protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Peneda-Gerês National Park is a Portuguese national treasure and a unique place where nature and humans coexist in healthy harmony.
Covering around 70,000 hectares, the National Park offers an incredible and diverse range of mountain trails, allowing visitors to experience lagoons, waterfalls, history, culture, tradition, traditional cuisine, and historic villages.
We have selected 5 trails for mountain enthusiasts, with the caution that none of these routes should be done alone, as they require preparation and mountain knowledge.
- Pico Penameda, Peneda Trail (PR 17, Arcos de Valdevez)
This trail has a lot to offer! You can marvel at the majestic Fraga da Meadinha, a popular spot for climbers, both national and foreign, since the 1940s. As we ascend, we leave the church and the village of Peneda far below, enjoying the surrounding magnificent landscapes. Upon reaching the top, we will see an artificial lake, known locally as the “Pântano” (Swamp), which once powered a small hydroelectric plant that supplied energy to the village of Peneda. In the background, you’ll see Penameda, the highest point of the Peneda mountain range at 1268 m. Then, we begin our descent to the Branda da Bouça dos Homens, and after passing it, we return to Peneda via an old pilgrimage trail used by devotees of Our Lady of Peneda. Difficulty level: Medium/High
- Bread and Faith Trail, Soajo (PR 7, Arcos de Valdevez)
The cobblestone paths we propose have witnessed centuries of religious festivities and daily life rhythms, resulting from the blend of divine worship and the struggle for survival (bread). The bread cycle, passed down through generations, reflects the cycle of life, but its importance to this community is visible in the paths, landscape, and diverse ecosystems, particularly corn farming and cattle raising. These cobbled paths are also faith trails that have long led pilgrims to Senhor da Paz, Senhora da Peneda, São Bento do Cando, and even Santiago de Compostela. Difficulty level: Medium
- GR50 (Great Route of the National Park)
At approximately 190 km, spread over 19 stages that traverse the mountains of Castro Laboreiro, the Peneda, Soajo, Amarela, and Gerês ranges, and the Mourela plateau, the GR50 – Peneda-Gerês Great Route is one of the largest hiking trails in Portugal, entirely within mountainous terrain.
Its first stage begins in Ameijoeira, Castro Laboreiro, ending in Tourém, after crossing the National Park, within the municipalities of Melgaço, Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte da Barca, Terras de Bouro, and Montalegre. This route showcases a diverse itinerary inspired by the landscape, culture, and lifestyles of the communities that have long inhabited this mountainous territory. You’ll encounter medieval paths, trails used for seasonal migrations between summer and winter settlements, ancient shepherd trails, mountain meadows, pilgrimage routes, smuggling trails, and other historical and contemporary experiences.
Along each stage, you’ll find numerous natural points of interest, including oak forests, true biodiversity sanctuaries, home to important species of Portuguese flora and fauna. At higher elevations, the route brings hikers closer to the rocky peaks, overcoming steep slopes to provide tranquil mountain views. Difficulty level: Easy/Medium *Can be completed stage by stage.
- GR34 – Serra Amarela (Ponte da Barca and Terras de Bouro)
The GR34 is a circular route with a total of 35 km, which can be divided into four stages, two within the municipality of Ponte da Barca and two in Terras de Bouro.
Serra Amarela, standing at 1361m, is one of the mountain ranges within the Peneda-Gerês National Park. The summers are cool, and winters are harsh, with significantly higher precipitation than the rest of the country. The vegetation in Serra Amarela is shaped by the climate, geology, and human activity. Much of the range is covered by dry shrubs dominated by heather and gorse, with broom bushes in some areas. Near the Louriça peak, you’ll find one of the largest holly (Ilex aquifolium) groves in Portugal. In terms of fauna, many of the 235 vertebrate species found in the National Park can be observed in Serra Amarela. This is the bio-physical landscape of an ancient and continuous human occupation, which began in the Neolithic period. In these rugged terrains, humans perfected agricultural and pastoral techniques that allowed them to slowly but rationally exploit natural resources, ensuring survival in a delicate balance between human activity and the natural environment. Difficulty level: Medium/High
- Shepherd’s Trail (GR50, PR 11, Pitões das Júnias) Montalegre
This circular small route hiking trail runs between the Mourela plateau and the rugged rocks of the Gerês range. It follows traditional paths, much of which is along narrow, irregular paths, giving it some difficulty. It starts and ends at the information panel in Largo do Eiró, right in the heart of the village of Pitões das Júnias, in the municipality of Montalegre. Along the route, you can explore the village, visit the Mourela Plateau Interpretation Centre, the Monastery of Santa Maria das Júnias, the Cascata viewpoint, Pereira’s Cauldrons, Fojo do Lobo, shepherds’ huts, and the village of São Vicente do Gerês, referenced in the Inquirições Afonsinas of 1258 (Juriz). In addition to these points of interest, the route within the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG) offers stunning landscapes, from the majestic mountain peaks to the ancient oak groves adorned with moss and vibrant green lichens. This trail is marked in both directions and can be completed in three different lengths: 15.5 km, 9 km, or 8 km, all starting and ending in the village square, using the PR11 variant. Difficulty level: Medium
Peneda-Gerês National Park is a hidden treasure and home to some of Portugal’s oldest traditions. Its size and diversity ensure there is a way for everyone to enjoy and explore this region. We must respect not only the biodiversity but also the dangers of the mountains, always paying attention to our physical and technical abilities.
Please note that areas under total protection in the Park require authorization from ICNF to be accessed.
