Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês

Spread across four impressive granite massifs in Portugal’s northernmost reaches, this 703-sq-km park encompasses boulder-strewn peaks, precipitous valleys and lush forests of oak and fragrant pine. It also shelters more than 100 granite villages that, in many ways, have changed little since Portugal’s founding in the 12th century. Established in 1971, Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês – Portugal’s first and only national park – has helped preserve not just a unique set of ecosystems but also an endangered way of life for its human inhabitants.

Explore Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês

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Miradouro da Pedra Bela
For spectacular views over the Albufeira de Caniçada reservoir and the southern reaches of Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês, snake 6km uphill through the…
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Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Peneda
About 10km south of Lamas de Mouro, straddling a deep ravine, Peneda is one of the park’s most stunning mountain villages, and the serra’s namesake. Its…
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Mosteiro de Santa Maria das Júnias
Built on the site of a 9th-century pre-Romanesque hermitage, this lovely 12th-century Benedictine monastery in a remote river valley fell under the sway…
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Castelo de Lindoso
Built during the reign of Afonso III, this 13th-century castle 5km from the Spanish border long served as a key Portuguese military outpost. These days it…
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Cascata do Arado
This gorgeous waterfall is accessed from a bridge over the Rio Arado, just north of the village of Ermida. To see the falls from above, climb to the…
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Capela de São João de Fraga
Standing alone on a rocky mountaintop, this whitewashed chapel surrounded by rugged peaks is an important pilgrimage site for the residents of Pitões das…
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Nucleo Museológico de Campo do Gerês
At the main crossroads 1.5km south of Campo do Gerês village, this museum has exhibits on local flora and fauna – but its highlight is the section…
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Miradouro Cascata de Pitões das Júnias
A 217-step wooden staircase descends to this viewpoint looking across to the Cascata de Pitões das Júnias.
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Cascata de Pitões das Júnias
This 30m waterfall crashes down through a rocky cleft about 2km south of Pitões das Júnias.

M
Miradouro da Pedra Bela
For spectacular views over the Albufeira de Caniçada reservoir and the southern reaches of Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês, snake 6km uphill through the…
S
Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Peneda
About 10km south of Lamas de Mouro, straddling a deep ravine, Peneda is one of the park’s most stunning mountain villages, and the serra’s namesake. Its…
M
Mosteiro de Santa Maria das Júnias
Built on the site of a 9th-century pre-Romanesque hermitage, this lovely 12th-century Benedictine monastery in a remote river valley fell under the sway…
C
Castelo de Lindoso
Built during the reign of Afonso III, this 13th-century castle 5km from the Spanish border long served as a key Portuguese military outpost. These days it…
C
Cascata do Arado
This gorgeous waterfall is accessed from a bridge over the Rio Arado, just north of the village of Ermida. To see the falls from above, climb to the…
C
Capela de São João de Fraga
Standing alone on a rocky mountaintop, this whitewashed chapel surrounded by rugged peaks is an important pilgrimage site for the residents of Pitões das…
N
Nucleo Museológico de Campo do Gerês
At the main crossroads 1.5km south of Campo do Gerês village, this museum has exhibits on local flora and fauna – but its highlight is the section…
M
Miradouro Cascata de Pitões das Júnias
A 217-step wooden staircase descends to this viewpoint looking across to the Cascata de Pitões das Júnias.
C
Cascata de Pitões das Júnias
This 30m waterfall crashes down through a rocky cleft about 2km south of Pitões das Júnias.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês.

See
Miradouro da Pedra Bela
For spectacular views over the Albufeira de Caniçada reservoir and the southern reaches of Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês, snake 6km uphill through the…
See
Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Peneda
About 10km south of Lamas de Mouro, straddling a deep ravine, Peneda is one of the park’s most stunning mountain villages, and the serra’s namesake. Its…
See
Mosteiro de Santa Maria das Júnias
Built on the site of a 9th-century pre-Romanesque hermitage, this lovely 12th-century Benedictine monastery in a remote river valley fell under the sway…
See
Castelo de Lindoso
Built during the reign of Afonso III, this 13th-century castle 5km from the Spanish border long served as a key Portuguese military outpost. These days it…
See
Cascata do Arado
This gorgeous waterfall is accessed from a bridge over the Rio Arado, just north of the village of Ermida. To see the falls from above, climb to the…
See
Capela de São João de Fraga
Standing alone on a rocky mountaintop, this whitewashed chapel surrounded by rugged peaks is an important pilgrimage site for the residents of Pitões das…
See
Nucleo Museológico de Campo do Gerês
At the main crossroads 1.5km south of Campo do Gerês village, this museum has exhibits on local flora and fauna – but its highlight is the section…
See
Miradouro Cascata de Pitões das Júnias
A 217-step wooden staircase descends to this viewpoint looking across to the Cascata de Pitões das Júnias.
See
Cascata de Pitões das Júnias
This 30m waterfall crashes down through a rocky cleft about 2km south of Pitões das Júnias.

Guidebooks

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