Description

Wild Garrano horses running in the Gerês mountains

Guided day hike

Heart of Gerês: Roman Road & Albergaria Forest Hike

Guided day walk on the Roman road through the wildest, fully protected forest of Peneda-Gerês.

Full day · 8 hours10 kmEasy to moderate

Request your dates See the itinerary 5.0 on Tripadvisor

From€40 Request dates

DurationFull day · approx. 4 h walking

Distance10 km · +245 m / −229 m

DifficultyEasy to moderate

Group1 to 8 people

Starts inArcos de Valdevez

LunchPicnic included

The experience

Step into the heart of Portugal's only National Park

Follow the ancient Roman road through the Albergaria Forest — one of the park's best-preserved areas — passing Roman milestones, crystal-clear pools and waterfalls, with views over the Vilarinho das Furnas reservoir.

Keep an eye out for wild Garrano horses, mountain cattle and wild goats, enjoy a picnic with mountain views and end the day at the Campo do Gerês ethnographic museum.

Albergaria Forest — fully protected area
Roman road (Geira) and Roman milestones
Vilarinho das Furnas reservoir
Waterfalls and natural pools
Garrano horses and mountain cattle

Gallery

Ancient forest, Roman stones and wild horses

+2 photos

Itinerary

Your day, step by step

09:00
Meet your guide in Arcos de Valdevez and drive to Campo do Gerês (approx. 45 min).
10:00
Start of the guided walk.
13:00
Picnic with mountain views.
14:30
Visit to the Campo do Gerês ethnographic museum.
16:00
Drive back to the meeting point.
17:00
End of the day.

Times are approximate. Your guide adapts the pace to the group.

Prices & conditions

What's included

Included

Local guide
Picnic with mountain views
Hiking poles
Transfers to and from the trailhead
Personal accident insurance

Not included

Personal expenses not mentioned

Optional extras

Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation: price on request

Good to know

Before you go

Difficulty

Easy to moderate · 10 km · +245 m / −229 m · approx. 4 h walking (8 h in total).

What to bring

Hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
Sun hat and sunscreen (all year round)
Water bottle and a small daypack

Getting there

Starts in Arcos de Valdevez, with a transfer to the trailhead and back. Pick-up from your accommodation in Porto or Braga is available as an optional extra.

Season

All year round.

Reviews

What our guests say

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 22 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   sandrine C 
 
 
 
 Verified Super activité en famille
Très belle activité, paysages magnifiques. Bruno, notre guide, a été amicale, patient. Il a été attentif à tous. Il nous a expliqué la nature environnante. Il a été de très bons conseils pour la suite de notre séjour.Nous recommandons les yeux fermés.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jesper J 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastik tur
Vi var afsted med 3 teenagere på 15 og 18 år og vi havde en super oplevelse. Bruno var en fantastisk guide og var meget vidende omkring den flotte nationalpark.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Allison B 
 
 
 
 Verified O melhor guia das minhas viagens!
Eu sou um viajante solo e tive alguns dias em Arcos de Valdevez que eu tinha esperado até o último minuto para procurar passeios guiados. Não pude encontrar nenhuma disponibilidade para caminhadas com um guia. Meu hotel chamado Bruno, de Montesa. Embora ele estivesse no meio de uma caminhada guiada, ele respondeu com opções para o meu tempo muito limitado. Ele ofereceu para me levar depois de um dia completo de trabalho, por 4 horas (seu tempo livre). Eu também fui pego e descido no meu hotel. Quanto à experiência... Não posso começar a descrever o quão bonita era a paisagem variada naquela época do dia ( 5 - 9 : 30 pm) . Bruno me levou a poucas aldeias, percorreu várias e fez algumas caminhadas a cachoeiras e lagoas. Em seguida, ele conduziu mais para o parque nacional (outra caminhada com velhas estradas romanas e moles, cachoeiras) ... . . então de volta através de uma rota diferente através das montanhas com as vistas mais incríveis enquanto o sol estava por. Tudo ao longo educando-me sobre a paisagem local, parque, vida selvagem, história, etc.  Não posso dizer o suficiente sobre a minha experiência. O esforço que Bruno fez foi para me certificar de que eu pudesse ver tanto da área quanto ele pudesse me mostrar em um tempo tão limitado. Ele saiu do seu caminho, foi gentil, confortável e muito atencioso, ele fez minha estadia aqui inesquecível. Eu definitivamente recomendaria, bem como contatar Bruno novamente se eu tiver uma segunda oportunidade para visitar a área! !
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   janet b 
 
 
 
 Verified Empresa brilhante para caminhadas e passeios pedestres em Espanha e Portugal
Esta empresa é realmente fantástica e conhece muito bem as zonas de Espanha e Portugal. Bruno é um excelente guia e é capaz de dar conselhos sobre trilhas e caminhadas de acordo com a capacidade de todos. Nós, como grupo, estivemos com sua empresa três vezes e cada vez foi melhor que a última. Ele é extremamente cuidadoso, cuida muito bem de todos e tem ideias maravilhosas para passeios e caminhadas.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Eddie C 
 
 
 
 Verified Caminhadas g no norte da Espanha
Terceira vez com o Bruno - ele se tornou um verdadeiro amigo - muito profissional, minucioso, ótimo no planejamento, conhece bem os roteiros e é um cara legal também!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   GeorgiaWanderer 
 
 
 
 Verified Saia do Porto e conheça o parque nacional!
Viemos do Porto para passar um dia caminhando pela natureza no paísPark e passei o dia na montanha Panera. Embora não tenha sido uma experiência em cachoeira, foi uma bela caminhada na montanha! Vimos vacas caipiras, cavalos selvagens, flores e plantas nativas e muito mais. Já faz muito tempo que não subo uma montanha, mas valeu totalmente a pena! Bruno, nosso guia, conhecia muito bem a natureza e também a história portuguesa. A sua esposa serviu um almoço lindo, delicioso, caseiro e autêntico português. O dia terminou com uma visita ao Soajo, uma antiga vila localizada no parque nacional onde ainda hoje vivem pessoas.É altamente recomendável sair para a natureza e passar um ou dois dias com Bruno e sua companhia!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Daniel J 
 
 
 
 Verified Incrível
Bruno é um guia experiente incrível. Ele é humilde e muito profissional. Tivemos uma ótima experiência e recomendamos sua empresa.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jbrebo 37 
 
 
 
 Verified Merveilleuse randonnée aquatique !
Nous avons fait aujourd'hui une randonnée aquatique avec Bruno. Nous avons la chance d'être la seule famille avec notre guide. Le lieu est absolument magnifique, un vrai paradis de nature. Nous avons déambulé tout au long dans la rivière, profitant de quelques sauts et toboggans naturels. Plusieurs lagons ont permis des baignades bien rafraîchissantes (combinaisons et chaussons fournis). Bruno a été très attentif à notre famille, vigilant pour que personne ne se blesse, et toujours de bon conseil. Nous avons vraiment passé un moment fantastique ! Merci aussi pour les photos, pour les conseils de visites et pour le conseil restaurant où nous nous sommes régalés après notre randonnée aquatique. Vous pouvez réserver les yeux fermés !! Merci encore pour tout :)
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tanja K 
 
 
 
 Verified Geweldige ervaring
Het was een geweldige ervaring. Bruno hield rekening met de ouderen en de jongeren in ons gezelschap, zodat het voor iedereen leuk was. Het is een schitterende omgeving en je komt bij lagunes waar niemand anders komt.Dank je wel voor deze geweldige herrinnering
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Navigator56804105947 
 
 
 
 Verified A ne pas manquer dans la région
Journée au top dans la rivière et les lagons. Bruno est aux petits soins pour tous les niveaux. La joie pour les ados et les autres.

      EXCELENTE  
   Com base em 77 avaliações 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Publicado em Google  
   
   Barthel Breuer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica se a fonte original da avaliação é Google. Der Ausflug war einer unserer Höhepunkte in Portugal. Mir, 62 Jahre, aber auch meinen beiden Söhnen, 17 Jahre und 19 Jahre, hat es sehr gut gefallen. Neben der wunderschönen Natur gehört auch Bruno mit seiner super sympathischen und fürsorglichen Art dazu
  
 
      Publicado em Google  
   
   katja semprimoznik 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica se a fonte original da avaliação é Google. A secret gorge in almost untouched nature with a great guide. Went with my 10 year old daughter. Only one regret, should have jumped off the rocks everytime the guide said we can.
  
 
      Publicado em Google  
   
   Julia Kellenaers 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica se a fonte original da avaliação é Google. We had such a great tour with Bruno, who is an excellent and fun guide, expert of the park. Waterfalls, lagoons, swimming and jumping, it was all there. Did his very best to tell us all about the park and the region. Surroundings stunning, the tour was challenging in a good way and not too difficult, always safety first. We all had a fantastic time, thank you Bruno! Would love to do it again! And thx for all the tips for other activities in the region you shared with us!
  
 
      Publicado em Google  
   
   Eszter Lukenics 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica se a fonte original da avaliação é Google. We did the river tracking tour and had a fantastic experience! Our guide Bruno was experienced, very well prepared, and took good care of the group. The tour itself was adventurous, we went through beautiful areas, lagunes and waterfalls. Those with a bit more courage could jump into the water from the rocks, but there was always a way around for those who didn’t feel like it. Well recommended, the best tour we did in Portugal.
  
 
      Publicado em Google  
   
   Claudia Wache 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica se a fonte original da avaliação é Google. Ich habe noch nie einen Guide erlebt, der mit so viel Herzblut eine Tour begleitet. Es war die erste Canyoningtour für meine Familie und mich und wir fühlten uns rundum sicher und sehr gut betreut durch Bruno. Ich hatte das Gefühl, er kennt wirklich jeden Stein in diesem Fluss. Er war immer auf die Sicherheit aller bedacht, auch der Nervenkitzel bei Rutschen und Sprüngen ins Wasser war vorhanden aber eben auch immer Plan B für alle, die nicht wollten. Danach gab es bei Eis und Bier noch tolle Geschichten über die Umgebung und hilfreiche Tipps für Ausflüge und Einkehr. Tolle Arbeit, toller Mensch!
  
 
      Publicado em Google  
   
   Roman Wache 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica se a fonte original da avaliação é Google. Bruno is an exceptionally nice person—it's impossible not to like him! The tour with him was a lot of fun and perfectly doable for our whole family, including the kids. I would be more than happy to see him again.
All the best! Greetings from Germany!
  
 
      Publicado em Google  
   
   sebastien maret 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica se a fonte original da avaliação é Google. Superbe moment avec notre Guide Bruno. Pour encadrer cette activité easy-cannyoning avec des enfants, il sait faire ! Des bonnes explications et des conseils de visites dans le coin (en anglais), de beaux décors, de beaux spots de piscines naturelles… Bref un bon moyen de s’initier au cannyoning. Merci pour cette journée !
  
 
      Publicado em Google  
   
   Izabela Pietrzak 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica se a fonte original da avaliação é Google. One of the absolute highlights of our stay in Gerês and Portugal!

Everything was perfectly organized from the very beginning. We were provided with clean, completely dry wetsuits, and properly fitted shoes, which made us feel comfortable and safe right away.

Bruno is an amazing guide and host. He is friendly, professional, and genuinely cares about everyone’s comfort and safety while making sure there’s plenty of fun and adrenaline :) Hiking through the river, jumping from rocks, sliding down natural water slides, and swimming in crystal clear pools made for an unforgettable adventure for our whole family.

To top it all off, we finished the trip with delicious ice cream and a cold beer. Along the way, Bruno also shared fascinating stories about the Gerês region and Portugal, making the experience even more special.

If you’re visiting Gerês, don’t miss the chance to go hiking and soft canyoning with Bruno. It’s an incredible experience for the whole family and one you’ll remember for a long life.
  
 
      Publicado em Google  
   
   Ramona van houdt 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica se a fonte original da avaliação é Google. Wij hadden een riviertrektocht bij Montesa met Bruno als leider. We werden ontzettend hartelijk ontvangen en enorm goed begeleid tijdens de trektocht. Hij gaf goede uitleg over de tocht, de natuur en alles eromheen. Hij was erg enthousiast wat het heel gemoedelijk en spontaan maakte. Wij hebben enorm genoten en we raden het zeker bij iedereen aan.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long do we actually walk?

About 4 hours, at an easy pace with plenty of stops.

Will we see wild horses?

Wild Garrano horses, mountain cattle and wild goats live in this area — keep your eyes open, although sightings can never be guaranteed.

How do I book?

Send us your preferred date and the size of your group using the form on this page. We will reply personally with availability and a proposal — there are no booking fees.

Where is the meeting point?

Our base is 1 hour from Porto, in Arcos de Valdevez. If you need it, our pick-up and drop-off service is available.

Like what you see but it’s not quite a perfect fit?

Simply get in touch to tell us what you’re looking for. We’re happy to tailor the trip and create your ideal holiday.

Request your dates

Book your Heart of the National Park hike

Tell us your preferred date, the size of your group and where you are staying. We reply within 24 hours with availability and a tailored proposal — no booking fees.

Prefer to chat? Message us on WhatsApp or write to geral@montesa.pt.

5.0 on Tripadvisor

Licensed tour operator · RNAAT 367/2022

Certified local guides

Personal accident & civil liability insurance

More day hikes

Like what you see but it's not quite a perfect fit?

Tell us what you have in mind — we'll adapt this experience to your interests, pace and dates.

Plan your trip

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “In the Heart of Peneda-Gerês National Park – Walking Tour”

In the Heart of Peneda-Gerês National Park – Walking Tour

Details

Book Now!

Description

Heart of Gerês: Roman Road & Albergaria Forest Hike

Step into the heart of Portugal's only National Park

Ancient forest, Roman stones and wild horses

Your day, step by step