Peneda-Geres National Park: Outdoor Lovers’ Paradise

By Ellen (Updated Jan 2023)

⏱3 min

Rested against the Spanish border in northern Portugal, you will find the Peneda-Geres National Park. The mountains and valleys of Serra da Peneda and Serra do Gerês create the space for this beautiful park. It is the only National Park in Portugal and it is a nature paradise. The park possesses 270 square miles of forests, granite cliffs, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and natural pools. There are plenty of opportunities for activity and exploration. Aside from the stunning nature, there are quaint towns, medieval monasteries and castles, and an old Roman military road in the park.

We only spent one day/night here, because we combined our trip with visiting Porto and the Douro Wine Region. If you have more time, you could easily spend a full weekend hiking, canyoning, swimming, and exploring the towns. However, if you’re tight on time, it’s great for a day trip as it’s less than 2 hours from Porto. Here, we will share our experience and what you can do in 1-2 days in Peneda-Geres National Park. The highlight for us, is the Seven Lagoons Trail (Sete Lagoas).

When to go	Shoulder seasons are highly recommended (Fall and Spring) – rain is possible but mild temperatures and beautiful foliage. We went in August which was also lovely, and there weren’t too many tourists.
How to get there	The easiest way is to drive. It is less than a 2-hour drive from Porto (106 km/66 mi)
Where to stay	There are plenty of hostel options, mid-range budget hotels, and more, For easy access to many waterfalls, and the Seven Lagoons Trail, try staying in Vila do Gerês, Cabril, or Vilar da Veiga Other recommended villages: Pitões das Junias, Castro Laboreiro village (castle), Lindoso (castle)
Don’t forget	Good shoes for hiking, water shoes for max comfort while stepping on stones in/around the natural pools or waterfalls, sunscreen
Cost

Gem of Peneda-Geres National Park: The Seven Lagoons (Sete Lagoas)

This was the highlight of our day in the park. I’m so glad we did this trail and would highly recommend it. Roberto found it when he was planning our trip here, and he was searching for things in Spanish. I can’t find anything on this place in English, which is a sign that it is still relatively unknown to foreigners.

It is called the Seven Lagoons Trail because of the seven small pools of water that are situated along the course of the Cávado River. With their crystal clear waters and surrounded by mountains and lush green foliage, the pools are a perfect place to get in touch with nature. Visiting the Seven Lagoons Trail can easily make your entire day.

To reach the pools, it takes about 1.5 hours of walking through a beautiful landscape but in direct sun, with no shade, so bring plenty of water! We also packed snacks to enjoy while we swam once we reached the pools. The roundtrip route is about 12 km.

Getting to the Seven Lagoons Trail

The trail starts in the small village of Xertelo, close to Cabril (Montalegre) in the park’s Vila Real district. Enter the village and you can park your car by the Sete Lagoas Bar. Walk to the village church and you will find the first sign for the trail. The entire trail is well-marked with red or yellow markers. The trail is relatively flat with a few inclines and declines, and much of it is made of gravel/stones.

Thanks to the lovely scenery and foliage, it is an enjoyable walk if you have proper sun protection. If you don’t have sun protection, I recommend going when the sun is not at its peak. Unfortunately, we went when the sun was high in August, and we definitely went through our drinking water quickly!

Enjoy a dip in the natural pools

Once you arrive at the first pool, you’ll be able to view the rest of them. Some you can jump into from above, others have small waterfalls, and some you can simply enjoy swimming in. The waters are incredibly clear and deep gem tone colors. Relax, refresh, and refuel on water and snacks you may have brought with you before starting the trek back.

Waterfalls in Peneda-Geres National Park

There are numerous waterfalls in the park which often times have small pools which you can swim in. May of the waterfalls in Geres are easy to access. You can just stop your car and walk a few hundred meters, while others are more secretive.

Cascatas de Fecha de Barjas (Tahiti Waterfalls)

30 minutes by car from Xertelo and the Seven Lakes Trail, you can reach Fecha de Barjas Waterfalls. We actually visited the falls first, before going to the Seven Lakes Trail. These falls are super easy to reach by car. You can park your car nearby and walk down to the falls. Be careful on your way down, as the terrain can be wet and slippery.

Fecha de Barjas waterfalls are some of the most famous falls in Peneda-Geres National Park. They are formed by the waters from the Arado River and set in a beautiful landscape with thriving greenery. Sunbathe on the rocks surrounding the falls, enjoy a picnic, and take a refreshing dip in the water. The water is pretty cool and crisp, even in August.

Cascata de Pincães

In between Fecha de Barjas and the Seven Lagoons  Trail, you can also visit Cascata de Pincães. It is known as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Peneda-Geres National Park. Unfortunately, because we only spent one full day in the park, we didn’t have time to visit Pincães. If you optimize your time better than we did and are staying close by, you could easily visit all 3 places with 2 days.

To get to Cascata de Pincães, first travel to the town of Pincães where you can leave your car. It is then about a 20-minute walk to the waterfall.

Well, there you have it – a short and sweet post about our experience in Peneda-Geres National Park. We’d love to visit again someday as there is way more to explore than we could in our short time. If you’ve visited the park and have additional recommendations, please let us know in the comments!

Further Reading…

Think about combining your trip to Peneda-Geres National Park with a stay in Porto. Read our helpful guide here, on How to spend some days in Porto:

Or maybe you prefer hiking in the Mediterranean coast with scenic views.