Peneda-Gerês National Park

Portugal's only national park, based in the spa village of Gerês. Among granite mountains lie waterfall pools, Roman roads, a submerged village and stone hamlets.

Peneda-Gerês National Park lies in the far northwest of Portugal, bordering Galicia in Spain. Established in 1971, it is Portugal's only national park. It spans the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga and Vila Real, and is made up of the granite ranges of Peneda, Soajo, Amarela and Gerês. It connects with the Spanish side's Baixa Limia–Serra do Xurés Natural Park. The park is known for granite cliffs, clear streams, waterfalls with deep pools and primeval oak forests. Scattered throughout are stone villages that still keep traditional farming and herding life, rows of granite granaries and ancient Roman roads. In the mountains you can see semi-wild Garrano ponies and long-horned Barrosã cattle.

The spa village of Gerês is the base. In the south: the Pedra Bela lookout, the Arado Falls, the Tahiti Falls and the Caniçada Reservoir. Heading north through the Albergaria Forest and along the ancient Geira Roman road, you reach the Portela do Homem waterfalls on the Portuguese-Spanish border. On the west side, the Vilarinho da Furna reservoir hides a village beneath its waters. In the east, around Montalegre, are the Pitões das Júnias monastery and its waterfall, and the Misarela Devil's Bridge. In the northern Peneda mountains are the Our Lady of Peneda pilgrimage site, Lindoso Castle, Castro Laboreiro and the terraced village of Sistelo.

The best season is May to October. Midsummer, July and August, is the best time for swimming in the waterfall pools, but also the busiest. Spring brings mountain flowers and full waterfalls, autumn turns the oak forests to colour, and winter is misty and rainy, with occasional snow at high altitudes.

Getting there: from Porto, it is about 1.5 hours by car. From Braga, it is about 45 minutes to Gerês village. Buses run from Braga but infrequently. The mountain sites are spread out, so driving is strongly recommended. Plan 2–4 days.

Note: waterfall pools are cold and the rocks are slippery, and accidents happen every year. On the Albergaria road, traffic is restricted during the summer peak. Camping and campfires are prohibited in the national park, so stick to marked trails.

Top sights

Where to eat