EVENT: Walking in Gerês

DATE OF REALISATION: 5th to 8th October 2023

EVENT DESCRIPTION: “Walking in Gerês - Melgaço - Serra da Peneda - Aldeia das Pontes - Castro Laboreiro - Lamas de Mouro and Soajo”

In this activity, we'll be hiking and visiting some of the most fabulous places in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, especially Castro Laboreiro, Aldeia das Pontes, Melgaço, Lamas de Mouro and Soajo, in what will be a long weekend full of strong emotions and landscapes to remember for a long time. Come with us!

These are some of the most important places we'll be visiting during this event: 

• Melgaço (Historic Centre) and Minho River Walkways
• Melgaço Thermal Park and Garden
• Pillory and Mother Church of Castro Laboreiro
• Castro Castle and Viewpoint
• Castro Old Bridge
• Mills
• Museum Centre (former Caravelos chocolate factory)
• Peneda Sanctuary and Serra da Peneda
• Portas das Lamas de Mouro - PNPG Interpretive Centre
• Village of Pontes
• Waterfalls and pools
• Soajo - Pillory, Thorn Trees and Waterfalls
• Natural landscapes

TIME: Departure from Lisbon at 6.30am on 5th October
RETURN: Arrival in Lisbon at 7.30pm on 8 October

Castro Laboreiro

The village of Castro Laboreiro belongs to the municipality of Melgaço and is located in the Peneda-Gerês National Park. It has one of the richest prehistoric heritages in the country, including engravings and cave paintings, 120 Dolmen (dating back 5000 years) and Cists (megalithic funerary monuments). This village has a rich historical and architectural heritage, including the Castro Laboreiro Castle - classified as a national monument, the Castro Laboreiro Mother Church, the Castro Laboreiro Pillory, dating from the 16th century and classified as a building of public interest; medieval churches, community ovens, granaries and mills.

5th October (Thursday)

• Tour of Melgaço
• Historic Centre and Minho River Walkways
• Check-in at the Hotel in Castro Laboreiro

6th October (Friday)

Walk: "Peneda Trail”

Points of interest: Serra da Peneda, Peneda Sanctuary, Branda de Bouças dos Homens and Chã do Monte

This route takes place in the heart of the Serra da Peneda, between two mountain villages: the village of Peneda and Branda de Bouças dos Homens. Then we'll come to a dam that used to serve a mini hydroelectric power station years ago and supplied electricity to the village of Peneda. Crossing the lake, we follow a stream and the descent becomes a real and intrepid adventure due to the steep slopes of the terrain until we reach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda again.

Level of difficulty of the route: 3.5 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 10 kilometres

Estimated time: 3h45m

Walk: "Lamas de Mouro Interpretive Trail”

Points of interest: Bridge, water mill, community oven, secular Romanesque church and Porta de Lamas de Mouro.

Level of difficulty of the route: 2+ (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 5 kilometres

Estimated time: 1h45m

Saturday 7th October

Walking: “Castro Laboreiro Castrejo Trail”

Points of interest: Castro Laboreiro, Castle, Viewpoint, Mills, Bridges and Brandas

Level of difficulty of the route: 3.5 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 16 kilometres

Estimated duration: 5h30

Visit to the Museum Centre (former Caravelos chocolate factory)

Visit to Aldeia das Pontes

Walking: “Bridges Waterfall Trail”

Points of interest: Waterfall and Village of Bridges

Level of difficulty of the route: 2 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 2 kilometres

Estimated time: 1 hour

8th October (Sunday)

Walk: "Walking in Soajo among granaries, lakes and waterfalls”

Level of difficulty of the route: 3 (Scale of 1 to 5)

Route length: 8 kilometres

Estimated time: 3 hours

14h15 - End of activity and return to Lisbon

Equipment: Footwear and clothing suitable for hiking

Registration fee:

Price includes:

- Transport by coach/bus/tourist van from Lisbon to each of the places described above
- Accommodation in a 3-star hotel, breakfast included
- The proposed accommodation option includes various room types
- Guided Walks
- Compulsory insurance

320€ (Price per person in double room)
410€ (Price per person in single room)
Entry fee for seat reservation: 50€

Prices valid until the end of May 2023. From July the prices are 350€ and 450€ respectively.

Notes: 

a) Registrations are limited and accommodation options are limited to availability at the time of booking.

b) If you have a group interested in this trip, contact us, we have personalised solutions.