The best things to do in Peneda Geres National Park are canyoning down granite gorges, kayaking its rivers, hiking to the Sete Lagoas, swimming under the Arado waterfall and exploring stone villages like Soajo. It’s Portugal’s only national park, about 1.5 hours north of Porto on the Spanish border, and the wildest corner of the country. The park turned out to be a true natural wonderland filled with stunning scenery of canyons, forests and unique wildlife, with a long list of adventurous things to do in Peneda Geres National Park.
I thought I knew mainland Portugal well, until I went looking for adrenaline in the north. I spent a few days in the park with my friend Camila, canyoning, kayaking and hiking, and it exceeded every expectation. Here’s everything I’d do again, plus a 3-day itinerary and the practical tips I wish I’d had.
15 Adventurous Things to Do in Peneda Geres National Park, Portugal.
I considered myself someone who knew Portugal’s mainland inside and out, until I reached Peneda Geres National Park. It was just another trip to Portugal, and I was mostly looking for some adventurous travel and adrenaline activities among natural landscapes. I chose northern Portugal since the park is known for rich biodiversity and a beautiful environment.
Kayaking and Canyoning are two top things to do in Peneda Geres National Park for more adventurous travelers!
Personally I think both activities are among one of the best water adventures I’ve done ever. There are plenty of tours to get your heart racing. The park also has several challenging rock climbing areas and if you’re up for a unique experience, you can try paragliding and take in the park’s stunning views from above. There are also many stunning hiking trails and walks you can combine with wildlife watching.
Peneda Geres in North Portugal.
The Park covers an area of around 700 square kilometres, so plenty of space to cater all the adventurous things to do in Peneda Geres.
It’s a very popular destination for incredible water activities, hiking and mountain scenery. It is unreal how diverse is Portugal – from touristic Alrgarve on the south, subtropical heaven in Madeira and Azores, historical Lisbon, up to breathtaking oceanic landscapes in Ericeira and finally Peneda Geres – the only National Park in the country.
Peneda Geres at a glance.
Where | Northern Portugal, on the Spanish border; about 80 km from Porto |
Size | Roughly 700 km² of granite mountains, rivers and oak forest |
Entry fee | Free (small fees for Mata da Albergaria in summer and Lindoso Castle) |
Getting around | A car is essential; public transport only reaches Caldas do Gerês |
Best time | April–June and September–October; July–August for swimming |
How long | At least 2–3 days |
Best base | Caldas do Gerês (south) or Soajo (north) |
Best things to do in North Portugal.
Northern Portugal is unique. One of the best things to do in this region is explore Douro Valley on a guided excursion with lunch and wine tasting. I chose three of the most popular tours that provide an amazing day-adventure.
Kayaking and Rafting in Peneda Geres National Park.
If you think Kayaking might bore you after an hour of paddling, this tour will blow your mind. We booked our full-day kayaking experience, which was more half kayaking and half rafting; the tour passes through rivers, lagoons and even small waterfalls- some of Portugal’s best-kept secrets.
Here is a Kayaking Tour from Porto. The footage provided by the operator (drone, GoPro and camera shots) was one of the best I’ve received from many adventures across the world. Alternatively you can check Canoa Raft Excursion in Minho River.
Hiking trails in Peneda Geres.
One of the best things to do in Peneda Geres national park is hiking. There is a variety of trails that cater to all skill levels, from easy walks to challenging treks, making it a great destination for families. The trails take you through the park’s diverse terrain, including rocky mountains and cascading waterfalls. The most popular trail is the “Seven Lagoons” hike, which takes you to seven magnificent lagoons that are perfect for a refreshing swim or picnic day in nature.
Popular Hiking and Swimming Tour in Peneda Geres – guided day trip from Porto is ideal for hikers and nature lovers, along a 8 kilometres round-trip trek.
Hike to the Sete Lagoas (Seven Lagoons).
This is the most popular hike in the park: a trail from the tiny village of Xertelo to a chain of emerald pools you can swim in. Plan on about 10–12 km return and half a day.
- Shade: very little, so start early in summer and carry plenty of water.
- Parking: only a few spaces by the Sete Lagoas bar in Xertelo; they fill on weekends.
- Without a car: guided hiking-and-swimming day trips run from Porto.
Where to stay in Peneda Geres?
Me and my friend Camila hired a whole house with grill area and beautiful garden. You can browse all accommodation options on Booking.com.
Wildlife watching in Peneda Geres.
Wildlife watching in Peneda Geres national park won’t disappoint. I was there ahortly after covid. Our guide told us the park used to be home to a variety of animals, which have dissapeared over the last decades due to human presence and activity. Only 2 years pandemic break were enough for number of spieces to return again, specifically some bird spieces and beavers – which were swimming along our kayak, which was adorable!
Peneda-Gerês National Park is a natural habitat for wolves, roe deers, goldern eagle and wild horses. You can take a guided tour to learn more about the park’s wildlife and their habitats. The park also offers birdwatching tours, where you can spot rare species like the Iberian imperial eagle and the black stork.
Peneda Geres hot springs.
North of Portugal is known for many hot springs that are believed to have healing properties. If you’re looking for a more relaxing activity or resting after exhausting water adventures, you should visit one of the park’s thermal spas, where you can soak in the warm waters and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
There are two stays in the area with thermal spa welness:
Canyoning in Peneda Geres.
Canyoning was the highlight of my trip. I booked a four-hour tour [link: Manawa canyoning] where the guide adapted the route to our fitness level: abseiling down waterfalls, jumping into deep pools, natural rock slides and swimming through the gorge.
Canyoning in Peneda Geres has exceed my expectations in every aspect. The local tour operators are extremely professional and the full experience was a memorable experience. I booked a tour with Manawa, organised by Toboga – Canyoning at Peneda Geres National Park.
Peneda Geres provides an ideal setting for canyoning along a number of routes. This was a 4-hour adventure, which is quite exhausting, but the guide will adjust the trail to your fitness level.
The tour includes high-level canyoning equipment and exceptional footage from your adventure. Each route typically consists of rappels, jumps, slides and swims in the natural pools of the canyon. Water can be extremely cold 😉 But the good news is it is crystal clear and drinkable.
Here is a top-rated tour from Porto: Gerês National Park Canyoning Trip with Ziplines
Local towns and cuisine.
One of the best things to do in Peneda Geres is taking a ride across the region to explore charming villages and taste exceptional local cuisine. Portuguese food is absolutely one of my favourite. Cod holds a special place in the national cuisine.
- Salted Cod (Bacalhau) is often prepared with onions, poptatoes eggs.
- Caldo Verde – a trditional soup made with kale, potatoes, onions, chorizo and smoked sausage.
- Alheira – a sausage made of a variety of meats, typically smoked
- Sea food – grilled langustinas with garlic butter.
Driving arocss the region you can witness traditional Portuguese life and traditional architecture. One of the most charming villages is Soajo, which is known for its ancient granaries and beautiful stone houses.
Most beautiful attractions near Porto.
Climb to the Peneda Sanctuary and Castro Laboreiro
The Santuário da Peneda sits under a huge granite wall, reached by a Baroque staircase of chapels. Avoid the first week of September unless you want the big pilgrimage. Continue to Castro Laboreiro for its castle ruins and Garrano country.
Find the sunken village of Vilarinho da Furna
This village was flooded by a dam in the early 1970s. In dry late summers and autumns, its stone walls re-emerge from the reservoir; lakeside trails are flat and easy.
Soak in the hot springs of Caldas do Gerês
After days of hiking and canyoning, the thermal waters of Caldas do Gerês (around 43°C at source) are the perfect reset. For a spa stay, try Hotel São Bento da Porta Aberta & Spa.
3-day Peneda-Gerês adventure itinerary.
- Day 1 (south): Pedra Bela viewpoint, Arado waterfall, Tahiti waterfall; sunset back at Pedra Bela; night in Caldas do Gerês.
- Day 2 (adrenaline): Morning canyoning or kayaking tour; afternoon SUP on Caniçada; evening at the hot springs.
- Day 3 (east or north): Early Sete Lagoas hike from Xertelo and Pitões das Júnias, or the Geira road, Portela do Homem and the Soajo/Lindoso villages.
How to get to Peneda-Gerês?
- From Porto: about 1.5 hours by car (around 80 km to the park’s edge); Porto airport is the nearest.
- Public transport: buses reach Caldas do Gerês via Braga, but there’s no transport between sights.
- Without a car: book a day tour from Porto (hiking, kayaking or canyoning tours include transfers).
- Driving: roads are narrow and winding, with cows, horses and camper vans; allow extra time.
Best time to visit.
- April–June: waterfalls at full power, green valleys, 15–20°C hiking weather.
- July–August: best for swimming, but car parks and waterfalls get crowded and valleys can hit 35°C.
- September–October: my pick for hiking; fewer people, still mild.
- November–February: heavy rain and snow up high; many trails get tricky.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which are at absolutely no cost to you – I can earn a small commission on sales generated through this website and thanks to that I can share travel guides and inspirations that may help you reach your dream destinations and discover our unique world. I only recommend sites I actually use and have traveled to. Thank you for your support!
