Day trip to Peneda Gerês National Park from Porto
Living (or keeping a travel base) in Porto means you can effortlessly explore more of Northern Portugal. We got the opportunity to explore Peneda-Gerês National Park from Porto on a day tour and absolutely loved it.
Salil and I are not avid hikers, and having a guide take us around the trails and to the natural swimming pools in the Geres was a blessing. We enjoyed our day trip, soaked in all the amazing views, spent the entire day in the lap of nature, and relished delicious local food.
We booked this Porto day trip around Earth Day, and celebrated it by planting a sapling in the forests of Geres (something which you can also do! More details about it below). Read on to get our detailed guide to taking a day trip to Peneda Gerês National Park from Porto with a local tour expert!
Day trip to Peneda Gerês National Park from Porto
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But first, what and where is Peneda Gerês National Park in Portugal?
Peneda Gerês National Park is a protected area and the country’s ONLY national park. It is located in the northern region of Portugal, close to the Spanish border.
Peneda-Gerês National Park derives its name from two of four mountain ranges within the park – Serra da Peneda and Serra do Gerês. The park covers an area of around 70,000 hectares or 270 square miles and encompasses stunning natural landscapes that include forests, mountain ranges, valleys, rivers, streams, and waterfalls.
The national park also encompasses around 20 picturesque villages along with abundant biodiversity and diverse ecosystems. Peneda-Gerês National Park is abundantly forested primarily by oak, chestnut, and pine trees supported by a variety of fern species.
Penada Geres National Park tour from Porto, Portugal
We booked a tour of Peneda-Gerês National Park with lunch from Porto. This 10-hour day tour is organized by a local team at Oporto Adventure Tours.
They are a small team of travel experts who are genuinely committed to giving back to the communities they serve, particularly in Geres and remote places of Northern Portugal. They intimately engage with local traditions, keeping in mind the sensitivity of these areas, and provide visitors with first-hand and real insights on tours.
We were really impressed with the care and knowledge of our guide and driver!
We were picked up in a classic 4×4 Land Rover from our meeting point in Porto and ended up spending a splendid adventure-filled day.
Our day trip to Peneda-Gerês National Park encompassed a visit to a picturesque village inside the park, a short hike to 2 spectacular waterfalls, and an optional swim in a shallow, pristine lagoon or plunge pool!
We were also treated to a traditional Portuguese lunch with some delicious “Minho Verde” or local green wine at a local village restaurant. We also had a thrilling off-roading experience in the Land Rover as we traversed through some of the rugged mountainous terrain within the national park.
This day trip from Porto provided us with an unbelievable opportunity to experience the stunning landscapes of Peneda-Gerês National Park, and also understand and immerse ourselves in the village way of life, and of course, relish some authentic Portuguese favourites.
We enjoyed it, and we think you will too! Here is our detailed experience and travel tips to plan for this full-day adventure on a vintage 4×4 Land Rover!
Review of Peneda Gerês National Park day trip from Porto
We found the Peneda-Gerês National Park tour from Porto online on the GetYourGuide website. We read through the description and were excited to spend an action-packed day, filled with amazing scenery, savouring delicious local cuisine (lunch inclusion was a bonus), and a ringside view of life in a Portuguese village.
Note that GetYourGuide offers safe payment options and a generous cancellation policy.
For this day trip, the tour operator offers around 9 pickup locations in Porto. We started this day trip around 8:30 am at a pick-up location near Porto Cathedral and traveled for around 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Along the way, we crossed the historic city of Braga, along with several charming towns and villages. Our guide was very engaging and shared interesting facts about the rich cultural heritage of Portugal.
Our first stop, before entering the national park, was at a cafeteria in a small town, and we naturally took this opportunity to enjoy some pastel de nata with hot coffee!
The road leading to Peneda-Gerês National Park was indeed very scenic, complete with imposing mountain ranges, a river meandering through the valleys, and settlements peppered throughout the countryside.
Once we entered the national park, we were instantly enthralled by the natural splendour of the wilderness as we headed for our first stop inside the national park – Lagar Waterfalls.
Lagar Waterfalls is one of the hidden gems inside the national park and a short 20-minute trek from a bridge where we parked our Land Rover. This beautiful waterfall, coupled with some of its natural lagoons, is one of the least explored areas inside the park, and we lapped up every ounce of the amazing vistas.
The turquoise waters of the shallow natural lagoons were unbelievably clear and blended perfectly with the surroundings. We seized this opportunity to dip our legs while a few others in the group opted to swim the lucid waters of the lagoon.
Next stop in our itinerary was the village of Fafião – a charming hamlet nestled in the mountains of Peneda-Gerês National Park. Our desire for some authentic Portuguese food led us to the restaurant of Fojo do Lobo, an inviting village eatery that serves mouth-watering local delicacies.
We started our lunch with Minho Verde (local green wine) served in a small bowl along with some warm cabbage soup with bread. We were then served an array of traditional Portuguese delicacies like Bolinhos de Bacalhau (Codfish Cake), Rissol de Porco (Pork Patties), Vitela Estufada (Braised Veal), Presunto Fatiado (Sliced Ham), and Morcela (Blood Sausage).
In the end, we were treated to some fresh fruits and Pão de Ló (Sponge Cake). Our traditional lunch was undoubtedly a great way to savour a slice of deliciosa (delicious) and saborosa (tasty) Portuguese dishes.
The serving portions at the restaurant were very generous, and the hospitality was absolutely outstanding. We wrapped up this exceptional gastronomic experience with some Bica (Espresso).
Post lunch, we had a unique opportunity to embark on a walk through the alleyways of Fafião Village. This tiny settlement offered us a one-of-a-kind moment to immerse ourselves in the rich cultural heritage of the village inhabitants.
We were truly amazed by the various ancestral practices and the inhabitants’ dedication to preserving their legacy traditions.
A shining example of this was a carefully preserved hórreo – a traditional elevated wood or stone construction used to store grains. These structures are raised from the ground to protect the valuable grains from insects and rodents, and we stumbled upon a few of them as we sauntered through the narrow lanes of the settlement.
Another enduring legacy of the bygone era was the well-preserved Fojo do Lobo (Wolf Trap). Fojo do Lobo, with its converging walls leading to a camouflaged pit, provided a trap for wolves and much-needed protection of village cattle against attacks by the predator.
We also came across the Barrosã Cows – a cattle breed native to Portugal known for its distinctive large horns.
Part of this tour is committed to “promoting active and participative tourism,” which essentially involves preserving and giving back to nature via reforestation. We participated in planting a sapling as our way of fostering biodiversity within the national park.
Our next excursion was a thrilling jaunt to the spectacular Tahiti Waterfall. This trip to the waterfall involved negotiating the uneven, hilly terrain in the 4×4 Land Rover (which was such an exhilarating experience), combined with a moderately challenging hike to the stunning cascade.
Tahiti Waterfall, located near Ermida Village within the national park, boasts unparalleled beauty enhanced by numerous natural, pristine lagoons.
We embarked on a 20-minute hike to Tahiti Waterfall. We were surely rewarded with an awe-inspiring panorama of water gushing down the rocky cliffs, forming a wall of mesmerising mist in the air. The hike goes through a steep climb
The falls, with their unspoiled plunge pools formed at the base of the waterfalls, with their crystal-clear waters, offered an unmatched landscape. After spending some time soaking in the magical spectacle, it was time to head back to the village of Fafião via the rugged terrain route in our 4×4 Land Rover.
After our time outdoors, we returned to Fafião Village for a refreshing beverage at Taberna S. Tiago. We decided to unwind and embrace the moment with some local chilled beer.
In the end, after spending an eventful day exploring the exquisite beauty of Peneda-Gerês National Park, we returned to Porto in the evening. This day trip from Porto to Peneda-Gerês National Park, in our opinion, was absolutely worth it!
The tour was well-planned to include various exciting experiences, plenty of photo opportunities, and great interactions with the group and our guide.
Reserve your spot in this exhilarating Peneda-Gerês National Park Tour with Lunch experience here!
Travel Tips for Peneda Gerês National Park, Portugal
Here are some important planning tips for your trip to Peneda Geres
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Peneda-Gerês National Park is during late spring months, particularly in April (this is when we visited), and summer months – May and June. You can enjoy the lovely landscape as well as enjoy warm waters of the swimming holes. Earlier than this, there are chances of rain and slippery surfaces, which are not great for hiking or road tripping.
Although tours are conducted all year round, in March, tours were either cancelled or rescheduled due to weather conditions.
Fall is a great time to visit, though, from September through November, as the weather is lovely with mild temperatures and fewer crowds. The shoulder months are perfect for hiking and enjoying the park’s natural beauty without rushing.
What to pack and wear for hiking in Peneda Geres National Park?
It is important to wear proper hiking gear when you are out and about in Peneda Geres National Park. Wear a breathable moisture-wicking t-shirt, shorts/ hiking pants. Hiking boots are a must.
Here is a quick packing list
- Cap, hat, or any headgear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Swim wear
- Water & snacks
- Change of clothes (optional)
- Hiking poles can be handy
Can you stay overnight in Peneda Geres?
Yes, you can. There are several small villages and towns inside the designated national park, where you will find accommodation such as hotels, hostels, camping, and other guesthouses.
You will find a place to stay in Vila do Gêrês, or in smaller villages such as Soajo, Germil, and Lindoso. Summers are particularly popular, so we recommend booking accommodation in advance.
We hope you found this post on our experience of the Penada Geres day tour from Porto useful.
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