Duration
8 days/7 nights/6 stages
Trip type
Hiking
Accomodation
Selected
Premium
Accommodations offering top-tier comfort, distinctive character, and unique charm. Includes 5-star hotels, the finest rooms in 4-star hotels when 5-star options are unavailable, historic properties, and intimate boutique hotels with a refined atmosphere.
Selected
Comfortable and hand-picked accommodations in central locations, offering a mix of quality and local charm. Features 4-star hotels, 3-star hotels when 4-star options are unavailable, charming guesthouses, and small traditional accommodations that reflect local culture and hospitality.
Casual
Comfortable and practical accommodations for relaxed travelers. Includes 3-star hotels, 2-star hotels when 3-star options are unavailable, and small, simple lodgings that provide an essential but pleasant stay.
Glamping
A unique and stylish outdoor experience blending nature with comfort. Encompasses luxury tents, elegant bungalows, barrel bungalows, and treehouses, offering an adventurous yet refined retreat.
Accommodations offering top-tier comfort, distinctive character, and unique charm. Includes 5-star hotels, the finest rooms in 4-star hotels when 5-star options are unavailable, historic properties, and intimate boutique hotels with a refined atmosphere.
Selected
Comfortable and hand-picked accommodations in central locations, offering a mix of quality and local charm. Features 4-star hotels, 3-star hotels when 4-star options are unavailable, charming guesthouses, and small traditional accommodations that reflect local culture and hospitality.
Casual
Comfortable and practical accommodations for relaxed travelers. Includes 3-star hotels, 2-star hotels when 3-star options are unavailable, and small, simple lodgings that provide an essential but pleasant stay.
Glamping
A unique and stylish outdoor experience blending nature with comfort. Encompasses luxury tents, elegant bungalows, barrel bungalows, and treehouses, offering an adventurous yet refined retreat.
Levels
Moderate
We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.
Route
From 53 km/33 mi to 71 km/44 mi
Recommended airport
Porto Airport
Recommended season
March to November
Overview
Prepare to dive into the unspoilt beauty of Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal's only protected region and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Covering over 70,000 hectares of majestic mountains, this natural sanctuary is a haven of rare landscapes, diverse ecosystems and wildlife, including Iberian ibex, wild horses, wolves and birds of prey. As you explore the villages of Castro Laboreiro, Peneda and Soajo, you'll enter a world where time has stood still. Discover rustic architecture, ancient traditions and the granite corn storehouses still in use today. Along the way, sample local delicacies such as pure Gerês honey, Vinho Verde wine and the famous corn bread celebrated by CNN Slow Food. Wind through lush trails, past rivers and lakes shimmering in the sun, and end your journey in Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez - towns surrounded by sprawling vineyards and green pastures. Choose your route—shorter for ease or longer for a challenge. Feeling strong on your calves? Take the longer path and uncover more of this extraordinary region. After all, it’s your way!
Itinerary & tour plan
Your adventure begins as you arrive at Porto airport and transfer to Castro Laboreiro. Get ready for an incredible journey through rolling hills and mountains, with vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see and picturesque villages dotting the landscape. Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind for the tranquillity of this region. Climbing up to Serra do Laboreiro, silence and the scent of pine trees accompany every pedal stroke. The village, welcoming and full of history, invites you to explore its water and windmills, and to visit the small shops in the centre, the heart of local life. A night here is synonymous with absolute tranquillity.
Your hiking adventure in Gerês begins with a journey through ancient trails that once linked the fortified villages of the resilient mountain people. These paths, rich in history and tradition, offer a thrilling introduction to the region. As you walk, marvel at the diverse flora and fauna thriving near crystal-clear streams. Along the way, you might be lucky enough to spot a Castro Laboreiro dog, a remarkable native breed and one of the oldest in the Iberian Peninsula. Each step reveals hidden treasures—architectural ruins, historical remnants, and the natural beauty that make this region so enchanting. It’s a day filled with discovery, setting the tone for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Gerês.
The journey is a peaceful and relaxing adventure through the mountains that connect Castro Laboreiro to Lamas de Mouro. As you travel, keep an eye out for the Cachena cow, an indigenous breed of the Gerês mountains, known for its distinctive long, lyre-shaped horns. The trail descends into the Peneda River valley, where you’ll encounter small, pristine lagoons of mountain water—perfect for a refreshing dip on a warm summer day. This evening, settle into the heart of the village, nestled against the imposing granite massif of Peneda.
The shortest route includes a transfer. If you wish to take the longer route, please let us know one day in advance so that we can arrange the transfer.
The shortest route includes a transfer. If you wish to take the longer route, please let us know one day in advance so that we can arrange the transfer.
Climb to the top of Meadinha Hill, where your efforts will be rewarded with superb views that stretch across the landscape. Trace the steps of ancient pilgrims along a historic trail leading to the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda, and walk the narrow paths once used by carts drawn by Barrosão oxen. The journey to the renowned Lagoa de Meadinha is full of surprises. Legend has it that any woman who places a stone atop the hill will soon be married!
Begin your day by descending the grand steps of the sanctuary, continuing along the stone paths that trace the riverbank. Pause to take in the sweeping views of the Serra da Peneda, the winter haven for shepherds and their flocks. Watch as the river meanders down the hillside, nourishing the green fields tended by local farmers. Your journey leads to Soajo, a charming rustic village. Here, rows of stone corn granaries stand proudly—still in use today, preserving the harvest and a way of life rooted in tradition. Just a short distance away, the lagoons of Soajo, natural pools, carved into the rock beckon you to take a break.
The shortest route includes a transfer. If you wish to take the longer route, please let us know one day in advance so that we can arrange the transfer.
The shortest route includes a transfer. If you wish to take the longer route, please let us know one day in advance so that we can arrange the transfer.
Follow the ancient Paths of Bread and Paths of Faith, along which devout pilgrims once walked to fulfil their promises. Discover the same paths were also used to transport corn to the communal ovens, where the famous cornbread was baked, an essential part of village life. Now protected by Slow Food and recognised by CNN as one of the best in the world, this cornbread is more than just a taste; it tells a story. It is a journey through the rich traditions and natural memory of the region.
Situated on the banks of the River Lima, Ponte da Barca enchants with its stone and whitewashed houses and graceful medieval bridge. Surrounded by vineyards, it is famous for its crisp and refreshing Vinho Verde, a true taste of the region.
In nearby Arcos de Valdevez, explore the squares, the historic streets and a culinary heritage that will delight any palate. Enjoy hearty soups, tasty salads, savoury meats and traditional sausages. Don't miss the famous Charutos dos Arcos, crowned one of the 7 Wonders of Portuguese Sweets. To complete, pair it all with a glass of authentic Vinho Verde.
In nearby Arcos de Valdevez, explore the squares, the historic streets and a culinary heritage that will delight any palate. Enjoy hearty soups, tasty salads, savoury meats and traditional sausages. Don't miss the famous Charutos dos Arcos, crowned one of the 7 Wonders of Portuguese Sweets. To complete, pair it all with a glass of authentic Vinho Verde.
At the end of your tour, we will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
What is included?
What you get on this adventure
- Transfers from/to Porto airport
- Accommodation 7 nights BB, in double standard room
- Daily luggage transfer (one piece per person up to 23kg)
- Middle transfers
- City taxes
- Daily post-walk messages
- Access to the Ride With GPS app on your smartphone
What is not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Meals and wine tastings (optional)
- Guide and support vehicle (price on request)
- Personal expenses and other items not mentioned
Special Dates
Festa C(r)asteja, Castro Laboreiro, mid-August
- You'll have the chance to experience the rye bread-making process at Vila's community oven and watch the famous Castro Laboreiro dog competition.
- In the stunning Peneda-Gerês National Park, celebrate devotion with processions, masses, traditional dances, folk music and local gastronomy.
- With a range of activities set against the stunning natural backdrop of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, it's the perfect festival for nature lovers!
- https://outdoorfest.pt/
Tour facts
- Explore the Peneda-Gerês National Park, one of the most remarkable nature reserves in Europe.
- Discover mountain villages frozen in time, with traditional architecture and ancestral customs
- Visit Castro Laboreiro and other unique villages with seasonal pastures steeped in history
- Meet rare local fauna, from wild Garrano horses to Cachena cattle and Castro Laboreiro sheepdogs
- Experience Peneda, home to a sanctuary nestled among majestic granite formations
- Wander through Soajo, a living museum village known for its granite corn silos and enduring traditions
- Interact with locals while sampling regional wines, Gerês honey and traditional handicrafts
- Ponte da Barca, a medieval village surrounded by lush Vinho Verde vineyards
- Cycle along the Vez Greenway in the World Biosphere Reserve
- Arcos de Valdevez, a historic town celebrated for its scenic beauty and regional cuisine
