8-Day Crossing of Peneda-Gerês National Park

Discover one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Explore the mountains and rocky valleys surrounding the remote village of Castro Laboreiro, your base for three nights. In contrast to the rugged highlands, the tranquil forest and an ancient Roman bridge offer places to stop and dip your toes in crystal-clear waters. Next, head to the Peneda Sanctuary. Along the way, sweeping views open up in all directions and forest trails emerge beneath your feet. Occasionally, you might spot long-horned Cachena cattle and Garrano horses grazing freely on the surrounding slopes. The next day, explore the total protection zone, the heart of the National Park, hike Roman paths, traverse an untouched forest with hundreds of ancient trees, and take a dip in one of the crystal-clear waterfalls. On your last day in the Park, explore Soajo, its history, and the traditions that make this village and this mountain one of the most typical and authentic regions of the National Park. Finally, travel to the city of Porto and explore the city on your last day.

 

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    Description

    Hikers among granite peaks in Peneda-Gerês
    Guided walking holiday

    The Great Peneda-Gerês Walk: 8-Day Walking Holiday

    8-day guided walking holiday through the mountains, villages and forests of Portugal's only National Park.

    8 days · 7 nights5 guided hikesHotels included
    From€1,050Request dates
    Duration8 days · 7 nights
    Walking5 hikes · 10–11.6 km
    DifficultyModerate
    Stay3★ hotels & rural houses
    Starts inPorto Airport
    DatesOn request

    The experience

    A full week in the mountains, for walkers who want to go deep

    A full week in the mountains of Peneda-Gerês. Five guided hikes take you from the remote highlands of Castro Laboreiro to the sacred Peneda range, the Roman road of Gerês and the shepherd village of Soajo, with an easy riverside walk in the Biosphere Reserve in between.

    Stay in 3★ hotels and rural houses, enjoy picnics with mountain views and finish with a free day in Porto.

    • Castro Laboreiro highlands
    • Peneda Sanctuary
    • Albergaria Forest and the Roman road
    • Vez River — Biosphere Reserve
    • Soajo's granaries

    Gallery

    A week across the National Park

    Itinerary

    Your week, day by day

    1. Arrival in Porto and transfer to Castro LaboreiroMeet our team at Porto Airport. Private transfer to the National Park and welcome briefing. Overnight in Castro Laboreiro.
    2. Castro Laboreiro — brandas and inverneirasGuided hike in one of Portugal's most remote areas (11.6 km; +475 m / −430 m). Packed lunch and museum visit. Overnight in Castro Laboreiro.
    3. Peneda — faith and mountainVisit to the Peneda Sanctuary and circular hike (11 km; +565 m / −510 m). Packed lunch. Overnight in Castro Laboreiro.
    4. Gerês — the fully protected forestCircular hike on the Roman road through the Albergaria Forest (11 km; +265 m / −310 m). Packed lunch. Transfer to Ponte da Barca for the night.
    5. Active rest day on the Vez RiverEasy riverside walk along the Vez River (10 km; +165 m / −110 m) and visit to the historic town of Arcos de Valdevez. Packed lunch. Overnight in Ponte da Barca.
    6. Soajo — history and traditionCircular hike in the Soajo mountains (10 km; +365 m / −410 m), traditional picnic and village stroll. Overnight in Ponte da Barca.
    7. Porto — the “Invicta” cityTransfer to Porto (1 h 10). Free day to explore, with our suggested route and restaurant tips. Overnight in Porto.
    8. DepartureTransfer to the airport or your next destination.

    The itinerary may be adapted to the weather and to your group. All hikes are led by a certified local guide. Accommodation provided by RNAVT 3301, acting as an independent travel consultant.

    Prices & conditions

    What's included

    Included

    • 7 nights in 3★ hotels or rural houses with breakfast
    • 5 guided hikes with a certified local guide
    • 5 packed lunches and 1 traditional picnic
    • Private transport throughout
    • Hiking poles
    • 24/7 support
    • Personal accident and civil liability insurance

    Not included

    • All items not mentioned in the “Included” section

    Optional extras

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

    Good to know

    Before you go

    Itinerary

    • Moderate · 5 walks of 10–11.6 km
    • up to +565 m per day.

    What to bring

    • Hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes (essential)
    • Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
    • Reusable water bottle
    • Daypack for the walks
    • A small bag to carry out your litter

    Getting there

    Departure from Arcos de Valdevez, with transfer to the start of the trail and return. Pick-up and drop-off available for an extra fee.

    Dates

    On request — tell us when you would like to travel and we will prepare your proposal.

    Reviews

    What our guests say

    Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
    sandrine C profile picture
    sandrine C
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    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 Tripadvisor
    Jesper J profile picture
    Jesper J
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    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 Tripadvisor
    Allison B profile picture
    Allison B
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    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 Tripadvisor
    janet b profile picture
    janet b
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    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 Tripadvisor
    Eddie C profile picture
    Eddie C
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    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 Tripadvisor
    GeorgiaWanderer profile picture
    GeorgiaWanderer
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    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 Tripadvisor
    Daniel J profile picture
    Daniel J
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    Incrível Bruno é um guia experiente incrível. Ele é humilde e muito profissional. Tivemos uma ótima experiência e recomendamos sua empresa.
    Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
    Jbrebo 37 profile picture
    Jbrebo 37
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    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 Tripadvisor
    Tanja K profile picture
    Tanja K
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    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 Tripadvisor
    Navigator56804105947 profile picture
    Navigator56804105947
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    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.
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    Barthel Breuer profile picture
    Barthel Breuer
    Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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
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    katja semprimoznik profile picture
    katja semprimoznik
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    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.
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    Julia Kellenaers profile picture
    Julia Kellenaers
    Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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!
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    Eszter Lukenics profile picture
    Eszter Lukenics
    Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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.
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    Claudia Wache profile picture
    Claudia Wache
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    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!
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    Roman Wache profile picture
    Roman Wache
    Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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!
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    sebastien maret profile picture
    sebastien maret
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    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 !
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    Izabela Pietrzak profile picture
    Izabela Pietrzak
    Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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.
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    Ramona van houdt profile picture
    Ramona van houdt
    Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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

    What's the difference from the “Gerês to the Atlantic” holiday?

    This one stays in the mountains all week (5 hikes). The other one combines 4 mountain hikes with the coast and Porto.

    Is it a point-to-point crossing?

    No. You stay in two bases (Castro Laboreiro and Ponte da Barca) and we drive you to each trail.

    Do I need to be an experienced hiker?

    No, but you should be comfortable walking 10–12 km a day on uneven mountain terrain.

    How do I book?

    Send us your preferred dates and the size of your group using the form on this page. We will reply personally with availability and a tailored 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

    Plan your National Park crossing

    Tell us your preferred dates and the size of your group. 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

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