Private Full-day Gerês National Park Tour from Porto

The National park of Peneda-Gerês extends from the plateau of Castro Laboreiro to the plateau of Mourela, covering the mountain ranges of Peneda, Soajo, Amarela and Gerês. Discover this vast amphitheatre sculptured by geological formations, winds and water.

The Pedra Bela viewpoint is 829 meters above sea level and is a mandatory stop at any time of the day. On a sunny day, the view is stunning. The blue sky reflects in the water of Rio, in the distance we can also see the small houses of Vila do Gerês making the vision even more complete, perfect and imposing.

Mata de Albergaria is one of the most important forests in the National Park, constituted by secular oaks and includes other characteristic species of the Local fauna and flora. Here we are going to walk along the Geira for about 2 km (in each direction), in the forest, untill we reach a magnificent waterfall where we can, if the weather allows us, take a refreshing and invigorating bath to help us make our way back to the car :) This area has extremely conditioned access, and it is not allowed to stop the car during the route. We will have time to photograph during the walk to the waterfall. We will not tolerate any disrespect for local rules.

In our opinion this is one of the most beautiful and best kept waterfalls in all of Gerês (At least those that are within walking distance). No photo you can see can achieve that WOW effect that you will have when you are there.

Vila do Gerês, located right in the heart of the National Park, is full of small shops where we can buy local products, such as the famous Gerês honey, one of the best in the world, and its regional sausages and cheeses. Here are also the Baths, Drinking this Water is the basis of all treatments carried out in these Baths. This Water is a pearl in the specific treatment of diseases of the liver, gallbladder, obesity, hypertension and diabetes. “AEGRI SURGUNT SANI” "The Sick Leave Healthy", the Romans said this more than 2000 years ago, when they were already attending these Baths.

It is a granite structure with converging walls, the pit having a circular plan. Its structural peculiarity is the walls with about 64 meters in length and 2.17 meters of average height, revealing the mouth of the fojo at its end with an upward slope. It is believed that it was used mainly in winter, when farmers used to drive cattle to the mountain located in the Southwest. The hunters, armed with weapons, prevented the wolf from escaping, directing him to the fojo, where other men ready to shoot and kill were waiting for him.

The Fafião viewpoint is on top of a gigantic granite block, connected to another rock by a small iron bridge. From the viewpoint we can see the magnitude of the mountains and valleys of Gerês, with imposing landscapes that make us feel small. You can also see the Salamonde dam, the Fafião river and the Fojo do Lobo de Fafião.

This waterfall forms one of the most beautiful lagoons in Portugal. The walk of about 2 km (in each direction) is done in 20 minutes, mostly next to the levada (irrigation channel that brings to the agricultural fields of the village). The last 200 meters are a little hard to overcome, but will be largely overcome by the magnificence of the waterfall and the beautiful lagoon.

This is one of the largest religious phenomena of Portugal. The Sanctuary of “São Bento da Porta Aberta” is the second largest Portuguese sanctuary and attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrins. Planted in the heart of Minho, it is prefencial place of worship to the Benedictines.