Hi there,
As we had to escape from our home in June due to a church festival from June 27-30, we booked a hotel in Peneda Gerês to spend those days.
We had already been to Sistelo last year and had fallen in love.
Besides, we always travel for my birthday, but after having been in Lisbon last year, we decided not to travel anymore at this time of the year because everything is too crowded.
So, we decided to also go to Peneda Gerês for my birthday.
Trilho dos curráis
We did a route of almost 13km near Termas do Gerês, in the district of Braga. On this route you can appreciate the cultural traditions of the area such as communal corrals for cattle.
It was very hot that day and by the end of the route we were scorching hot.
Lindoso, Aceredo y Trilho dos Moinhos de Parada
On June 27th we left Porto early in the morning for Lindoso.
This village was beautiful and a dream of pure calm and tranquility. There was a castle and an area full of the typical espigueiros.
Then we crossed to Spain in search of the submerged village of Aceredo and did not manage to see it. Although the water level was very low, the village was still submerged.
Then we went to check in at the lodge, had lunch and went to do the Trilho dos Moinhos de Parada, a 12km circular route.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/portugal/viana-do-castelo/pr1-ptb-trilho-moinhos-de-parada
Trilho Subida da Ermida
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/portugal/porto-and-the-north/subida-da-erminda
The next day we did this circular route of 16km, of which the first 8Km were uphill by road.
If we were already amazed because it seemed that Peneda Gerês was completely empty, here it was a bliss because in all those hours that we were going up a road, not a single car passed.
The descent was by mountain.
Trilho Castrejo
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/portugal/viana-do-castelo/pr3-mlg-trilho-castrejo
On June 29 we went on another hiking route, also of 16km.
The beginning of this route was magical because of the scenery and the fog. It had rained and it was cold.
The last kilometers were horrible because we had to go down a river being careful not to slip as it was all stones and to top it off, the pass was almost covered by brambles and other thorny plants.
We finished this day with our legs destroyed by so many scratches.
In the end, we did almost 20km.
SUP Limia River
Since they let us check out later, we took the opportunity to go paddle boarding on the Limia River first thing in the morning.
We spent 2h30 leisurely paddling and then went to our accommodation to shower and eat.
Camihos do Pão e da Fé
After check-out we went for a short 5km hike in the village of Soajo.
Thus ended this pleasant stay in Peneda Gerês with the idea of returning to continue touring this beautiful National Park.
Besides being a magical place of infinite green and rivers everywhere, what I liked the most was that there was practically no one there. We saw some German tourists, but very few. It was pure peace.
It is good to know that there is a place without people and in the middle of nature where it is possible to take refuge during the summer and that it is less than 2 hours by car from our house.
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