National Park Crossing

National Park Crossing 8days/7nights

Discover one of the unexplored treasures in Europe with its wildlife, gorgeous nature and breathtaking landscapes. We’ll take you on guided trekking trails that allows you a deeper contact with the history and biodiversity that makes the Gerês National Park, one of the most interesting tourist spots in Portugal.

Caves and cracks carved in the rocks by the nature over thousands of years, waterfalls, lagoons and protected species are some of the strengths that add value to this activity. Stay away from the mass tourism & come with us and meet real people and a real country.
 

Program

DAY 1: Pick up & Check-in

• Pick up at the combined location, with passage for a visit through the city of Guimarães.
• Check-in Accommodation in Castro Laboreiro

DAY 2: Lamas de Mouro/Senhora da Peneda – 15 km – Difficulty level: Medium – 5 h

• After breakfast, transfer from the accommodation to the starting point.
• Cultural and ecological trail, with great landscapes. This itinerary starts at the village of Lamas de Mouro, in Serra da Peneda, and its main attractions are the primitive woods, the paving slabs and old paths of pilgrimage and grazing.
• Accommodation in Peneda.

DAY 3: Senhora da Peneda/Mezio – 23 km – Difficulty level: High – 8 h

• After breakfast, transfer from the accommodation to the starting point.
• Cultural and ecological trail, with great landscapes. Its main attractions are the village of São Bento do Cando, the Bouça dos Homens branda, the valley of the Ramiscal river, the Fojos do Lobo, megalithic necropolis, other brandas and shepherd shelters. This trail will mainly lead us through the ridge of Serra da Peneda and the south hill of Serra do Soajo. It’s the living proof of the highlanders’ community life and of the ancient human occupation – from the Neolithic era until today. Accommodation in Arcos de Valdevez.

DAY 4: Lindoso/Campo do Gerês – 18 km – Difficulty level: High – 7 h

• After breakfast, transfer from the accommodation to the starting point.
• Historical, ethnographic, geological and fauna observation trail, which takes place at Serra Amarela. Its main attractions are its corrals, prairies, Fojos do Lobo (wolf pitfalls) and Louriça – the highest point of the mountain. The sumptuous panoramic views reach as far as the mountains of Gerês, Soajo, Peneda, among others. Accommodation in Gerês

DAY 5: Campo do Gerês/Torneiros – 18 km – Level of difficulty: Medium – 6 h

• After breakfast, transfer from the accommodation to the starting point.
• Trail with historical, cultural and ecological value, which includes the Roman Road number XVIII (Geira or Via Nova) along the beautiful dam of Vilarinho das Furnas. Through the secular oak woods of Mata de Albergaria and Bouça da Mó, we’ll arrive at Portela do Homem border. From here, we’ll descend to Torneiros over the Spanish side of Serra do Xurês, being Cascata da Fecha its main attraction. Accommodation in Torneiros.

DAY 6: Albite/Pitões das Júnias – 16 km – Difficulty level: High – 6 h

• After breakfast, transfer from the accommodation to the starting point.
• Landscape, ethnographic, cultural and fauna observation trail, which takes place at the protected area of Xurés/Gerês. Its main attraction is the beautiful abandoned village of Salgueiro, with its characteristic mountain architecture. The sumptuous panoramic views reach Serra de Peneda and the reservoirs of Conchas and Lindoso. Accommodation in Pitões das Júnias.

DAY 7: Pitões das Júnias/Sezelhe – 14 km – Level of difficulty: Medium – 5 h

• Cultural and ecological trail, with great landscapes. It passes through secular oak woods and green meadows. Its main attractions are the old grazing pathways and the astonishing landscapes. Accommodation in Montalegre.

DAY 8: Check-out.

• Transfer back to Porto or other combined location.