Peneda-Gerês National Park
Granite peaks, oak woods and waterfalls in northern Portugal, with forest trails and stone villages to walk between.
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Peneda-Gerês is Portugal's only national park, in the far north of the country on the Spanish border. Granite peaks, oak and chestnut woods and fast rivers fill its hills. Iberian wolves and the Garrano, a small local horse breed, live here too, though you are more likely to spot the horses than the wolves.
Walking is the main draw. Trails run from short forest loops to longer routes past waterfalls and up to high ridges. Lindoso, with its stone granaries and old castle, shows how people farmed these hills for generations. Soajo has its own granaries. It suits walkers and anyone who wants quiet days in the countryside. Spring and early autumn are the easiest seasons for walking. Plan at least two or three days, and longer if you want to hike the main routes.
Peneda-Gerês National Park in five
- Check which trails need ICNF approvalSome trails and overnight camping in the park need approval from ICNF, the national nature agency. Check the route list before you plan a night out.Hiking permits guide
- Pick Gerês or Peneda as your baseThe two sides are a long drive apart on mountain roads, so one base cuts driving time. The base guide compares the towns on each side.Gerês or Peneda guide
- Look up fire rules before you light anythingOpen flames and barbecues are restricted in fire season, and the restrictions can change. Read the current ICNF notice for the dates you travel.
- Save offline maps before you leave the roadMobile signal drops in the valleys and on the high paths. Download the park area in Google Maps while you still have a connection.
- Fly into Porto (OPO) and compare car hirePorto airport (OPO) is the main gateway, and the drive to the park takes a few hours on mountain roads. Compare car hire and bus times before you book.Getting around
Things to do in Peneda-Gerês National Park
See all attractions in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; Schengen entry rules apply Read more
- Emergency
- 112 for police, ambulance and fire
- Tipping
- Not required
- Time
- UTC+0, UTC+1 in summer (daylight saving)
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Wet, coldJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 246 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cold
- FebruaryRain11 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Wet, coldFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cold
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Wet, greeningMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 199 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, greening
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Spring greeneryAprilRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring greenery
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Green, mildMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, mild
- JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, fewer crowdsJunePartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, fewer crowds
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Hot, fire riskJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, fire risk
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low17°Peak heat, fire riskAugustClear
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak heat, fire risk
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Mild, quieterSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Autumn colourOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 281 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn colour
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Wet, quietNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 252 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Cold, wetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 251 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
Average daily high and low in Caldas do Gerês, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 44%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Peneda-Gerês National Park
08:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today22°11°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue16°10°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed15°6°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu16°5°4%Thursday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri15°5°69%Friday: Rain. High 15°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sat16°12°70%Saturday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Sun16°13°96%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 08:25 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
What's on in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- AugVilar de Mouros FestivalViana do Castelo, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Bragaabout 1 hour by carA city of churches and the Bom Jesus stairway, a good rest day.Read the guide
- Guimarãesabout 1.5 hours by carA medieval castle town that works as a first or last stop.Read the guide
- Portoabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carThe nearest big airport and a base before or after the park.Read the guide
Before you go to Peneda-Gerês National Park
Peneda-Gerês National Park FAQ
Is Peneda-Gerês Portugal's only national park?
Yes. It is the country's only national park, in the north near the Spanish border.
Do I need a permit to hike in Peneda-Gerês?
Some trails and overnight camping need ICNF approval. The hiking permits guide lists which routes need it.
How many days do I need in Peneda-Gerês?
Three days lets you base on one side, walk one waterfall route and visit one village.
Should I stay in Gerês or Peneda?
Gerês suits the waterfalls and the thermal spa at Caldas do Gerês. Peneda suits the villages and the granaries at Soajo.
When is the best time to visit Peneda-Gerês?
Late spring and early autumn suit most walks. Waterfalls run strongest after winter rain.
Can I drive through Peneda-Gerês?
Yes. Main roads cross the park and reach the villages, but many lanes are narrow and steep.