Peneda geres national park Travel Guide

Peneda-Geres is the largest national park in Portugal and is nestled within the rich ecological confines of the Norte region. The Peneda-Geres National Park - Travel Guide offers visitors information on the characteristics, activities and accommodation options to make the most of their trip in this charming region of natural wilderness.

Orientation

Peneda-Geres National Park is located in the north-western region of Portugal and is a sprawling mass of ridge mountains, pristine rivers and waterfalls created on 8 th May 1971 with the purpose of preservation of the ecological heritage of the region. The natural resources of the park are brilliant specimens to conduct educational, awareness and tourism activities in the zone. The breathtakingly beautiful landscape offers visitors an opportunity to view a plethora of natural physical features like plateaus, plains, mountain ridges and tranquil brooks apart from a range of wild beasts and migratory birds. Nevosa is one the loftiest mountain peaks of the region along with Altar dos Cabrões that shares its border with Spain. The park also houses a few quaint villages with thatched roof houses. There is an array of rich mineral reserves that are found in the mountain ores of the Peneda Geres National Park.

Activities

Go plant spotting in Peneda Geres. There are myriad wildlife spotting and natural excursion opportunities for nature buffs in this expansive ghetto of raw natural appeal. For floral aficionados, the park boasts of a lush vegetation of oak species, birches and strawberry plantations apart from rare ones like Cabril and Albergaria that are ingeniously preserved to retain their natural grandeur. Several Lily and fern tress can be spotted lining up the rugged paths of Peneda Geres. The park’s flora is few notches below its extensive faunal collection however a few species like wild boars, roe deer, beech, water snakes, wolves, golden eagles, wild cats, garrano (small horses) and a few others can still be found within the dense interiors of the park. The most popular tourist spots of Peneda-Geres are the waterfalls at Portela do Homem frontier station and Vilarinho das Furnas village. Go hiking through the numerous labyrinth trails of the national park and discover unknown paths and natural resources for a thoroughly enjoyable adventure excursion.   

Accommodation

There are several camping sites in the park that offer decent cooking facilities along with a string of other basic amenities. Most of these are located at Castro Laboreiro and Calcedonia. For visitors seeking a more plush experience, there are a few luxury hotels like Pestana Porto Hotel and Pousada de Geres Canicada.

Peneda-Geres is a thriving outdoor activity reserve that is as much touted for its pristine panoramic beauty as for its exhaustive floral and faunal species and the painstaking efforts to preserve them.