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The Great Peneda-Gerês Walk: 8-Day Walking Holiday
8-day guided walking holiday through the mountains, villages and forests of Portugal's only National Park.
The experience
A full week in the mountains, for walkers who want to go deep
A full week in the mountains of Peneda-Gerês. Five guided hikes take you from the remote highlands of Castro Laboreiro to the sacred Peneda range, the Roman road of Gerês and the shepherd village of Soajo, with an easy riverside walk in the Biosphere Reserve in between.
Stay in 3★ hotels and rural houses, enjoy picnics with mountain views and finish with a free day in Porto.
- Castro Laboreiro highlands
- Peneda Sanctuary
- Albergaria Forest and the Roman road
- Vez River — Biosphere Reserve
- Soajo's granaries
Itinerary
Your week, day by day
- Arrival in Porto and transfer to Castro LaboreiroMeet our team at Porto Airport. Private transfer to the National Park and welcome briefing. Overnight in Castro Laboreiro.
- Castro Laboreiro — brandas and inverneirasGuided hike in one of Portugal's most remote areas (11.6 km; +475 m / −430 m). Packed lunch and museum visit. Overnight in Castro Laboreiro.
- Peneda — faith and mountainVisit to the Peneda Sanctuary and circular hike (11 km; +565 m / −510 m). Packed lunch. Overnight in Castro Laboreiro.
- Gerês — the fully protected forestCircular hike on the Roman road through the Albergaria Forest (11 km; +265 m / −310 m). Packed lunch. Transfer to Ponte da Barca for the night.
- Active rest day on the Vez RiverEasy riverside walk along the Vez River (10 km; +165 m / −110 m) and visit to the historic town of Arcos de Valdevez. Packed lunch. Overnight in Ponte da Barca.
- Soajo — history and traditionCircular hike in the Soajo mountains (10 km; +365 m / −410 m), traditional picnic and village stroll. Overnight in Ponte da Barca.
- Porto — the “Invicta” cityTransfer to Porto (1 h 10). Free day to explore, with our suggested route and restaurant tips. Overnight in Porto.
- DepartureTransfer to the airport or your next destination.
The itinerary may be adapted to the weather and to your group. All hikes are led by a certified local guide.
Prices & conditions
What's included
Included
- 7 nights in 3★ hotels or rural houses with breakfast
- 5 guided hikes with a certified local guide
- 5 packed lunches and 1 traditional picnic
- Private transport throughout
- Hiking poles
- 24/7 support
- Personal accident and civil liability insurance
- Peneda-Gerês National Park sticker
Not included
- Dinners and meals not listed
- Personal expenses
Optional extras
- Single room supplement: on request
- Extra nights in Porto: on request
Good to know
Before you go
Difficulty
Moderate · 5 walks of 10–11.6 km · up to +565 m per day.
What to bring
- Hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes (essential)
- Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
- Reusable water bottle
- Daypack for the walks
- A small bag to carry out your litter
Getting there
We meet you at Porto Airport on Day 1. On Day 8 we take you to the airport or your next destination.
Dates
On request — tell us when you would like to travel and we will prepare your proposal.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference from the “Gerês to the Atlantic” holiday?
This one stays in the mountains all week (5 hikes). The other one combines 4 mountain hikes with the coast and Porto.
Is it a point-to-point crossing?
No. You stay in two bases (Castro Laboreiro and Ponte da Barca) and we drive you to each trail.
Do I need to be an experienced hiker?
No, but you should be comfortable walking 10–12 km a day on uneven mountain terrain.
How do I book?
Send us your preferred dates and the size of your group using the form on this page. We will reply personally with availability and a tailored proposal — there are no booking fees.
Request your dates
Plan your Peneda-Gerês walking holiday
Tell us your preferred dates, the size of your group and any special requests. We reply within 24 hours with availability and a tailored proposal — no booking fees.
Prefer to chat? Message us on WhatsApp or write to geral@montesa.pt.
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