Donkey trekking in Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal
The Peneda-Gerês National Park is located in Northern Portugal and was created in 1971. It is the only National Park in Portugal and consists of the Peneda, Soajo, Amarela and Gerês mountains.
It is home to Iberian wolves, goats, deers and wild horses that still live in the remote areas of the park. Aside from the wild animals, domesticated animals also inhabit the park and are easily seen, such as cattle with long horns, goats and indigenous sheep. The history of the National Park is reflected in the local heritage: castles, granaries and seasonal settlements are all testimonies of human civilization over the years.
With its granite landscape, oak forests, traditional villages, streams and valleys, the Peneda-Gerês National Park offers great sceneries for nature lovers.
This trekking is suitable for adults and for families with children from 3 years. You don´t have to worry about carrying your children and your picnic, because our donkeys will carry them for you.
Duration: 7 days
Departure: march 1 - november 15
Price: for 2 adults 1470,00 eur per person in double room / the price for kid is 695,00 eur (in case of 2 adults + 1 kid)
- Briefing of 30 min. by a local guide on day 1
- 6 nights at cottages (private bedroom, private kitchen and private bathroom) with breakfasts included
- Luggage transfers from day 2 to day 6 (no weight limit)
- Local maps and information material
- Rental Garmin GPS device with GPS routes for each day
- Transfer of donkeys from Viana do Castelo to the National Park (day 1 and day 7)
- Renting of fields and shelters for donkeys during the tour
- 6 – day donkey rental (one donkey)
- Saddle bags for donkey
- 5 self-guided walks
- Local assistance
- costs of transportation for getting to Peneda Geres National park
- lunches and dinners
- insurance
- anything not mentioned under “the price includes”
Itinerary
Arrival in Peneda–Gerês National Park
Arrival in Parada do Lindoso. This is a rural village overlooking the Lima river. The main attractions are the local lagoons and the old stone granaries where corn is stored. Overnight in Parada.
Parada watermills
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 176 | 176 | 3 |
You will meet your donkey in the morning and we will show you how to handle and look after him. Following ancient paths created by locals in order to reach the old watermills, you can explore some watermills in Parada. During this hike, you can learn about the local traditions associated with the mills and water management as an essential resource for the local people.
Overnight stay in Parada.
From Parada to Lindoso
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 438 | 351 | 4 |
Leaving Parada, you will walk through oak forests enjoying stunning views over the mountains. You will finish your day at Lindoso. Lindoso still has a castle famous for having the largest collection of granaries (54 granaries), which stand around the communal threshing floor. Overnight in Lindoso.
Serra Amarela, wildlife and lagoons
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 254 | 254 | 4 |
While following an old shepherd path towards the hills and the high plains of Serra Amarela (Yellow Mountain), you can explore the wilderness. Iberian wolves and the wild horses, call Serra Amarela home. There are great views over Spain as you hike along the Portugal-Spain border. Overnight in Lindoso.
From Lindoso to Soajo
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 536 | 403 | 7 |
Leaving Lindoso, you will cross the Alto Lindoso dam to arrive in the village of Paradela. A shepherd path will take you from Paradela to Soajo. This ancient route connects different rural villages inside the PenedaGerês National Park. In addition, you will hike along terraced fields and you will visit the villages of Cunhas and Paradela.
Overnight in Soajo.
Path of Bread and Faith in Soajo
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 209 | 209 | 4 |
You set off on a circular hike on the Path of Bread and Faith. The path gets its name in the following manner: “Faith” because it’s one of the main pilgrimage routes to the Senhora da Peneda Sanctuary and “Bread” because it leads to the watermills at the top of Soajo village.
You will hike along terraced fields on a stone path, with deep grooves in it. The grooves were worn into the stones from years of ox-drawn carts, transporting corn from the village to the watermills and back with flour. The trek ends at your accommodation and you can spend the afternoon visiting a natural lagoon, where you can swim and relax.
Overnight in Soajo.
departure
