The activities you can do in Gerês are countless, and we might even say that there are options for all tastes and budgets.
Due to its vastness and the enormous quantity and variety of natural resources, the Peneda-Gerês National Park has many local companies that can make your stay even more unforgettable.
Ready to discover some of the activities you can do in Gerês?
We will break down this article based on different locationsl, so you can get an idea of what is available throughout the entire Park.
Soajo e Serra Amarela
Perhaps the least known area of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, but also one of the most beautiful and unexplored, is the Soajo and Serra Amarela regions. The infrastructure here is still quite limited, especially in terms of accommodation, unlike the more developed areas like Gerês.
However, this is where the true essence of Gerês can still be found, with its traditional granaries, less crowded waterfalls, and villages forgotten by time, yet pulsating with mountain charm.
If you choose to explore this area of the Park, here’s a tip: there are two nearby towns with a good range of accommodations and dining options—Arcos de Valdevez and Ponte da Barca.
Although the village of Soajo does offer some local accommodation and a few restaurants/snack bars, availability is quite limited.
Despite being less touristy, this area of the Park already has a few companies that can provide experiences to make your stay even more exciting. Here, you can find 4X4 Tours, Buggy Tours and Quad Bike tours.
For the younger ones, there are also activities like tree climbing, zip-lining, rappelling, and rock climbing
Castro Laboreiro
We ventured further into the National Park to reach Castro Laboreiro. If you choose this region of the Park, one activity you absolutely must try is canyoning. This area of the Park boasts waterfalls and lagoons, accessible only through this activity, which will leave you utterly captivated. Other activities previously mentioned are also available in this region. However, there is a unique set of activities found only here, such as Wine Tasting, Shepherd Tours, and Beekeeping Experiences. Castro Laboreiro. Se optares por esta região do Parque, umas das actividades que deves mesmo fazer é o canyoning. Esta zona do Parque tem cascatas and lagoas, apenas acessíveis através desta actividade e que te vão deixar completamente rendido. Outras actividades, já referidas anteriormente, também estão presentes nesta região. Porém, existe ainda um conjunto de actividades que ainda só vimos nesta região, como, por exemplo, Provas de Vinho, Passeios com Pastores e Experiencias de Apicultura
Campo do Gerês
If your plan takes you to the Campo do Gerês area, which means near S. Bentinho and Vilarinho das Furnas, don't worry. There are plenty of activities to explore in that part of the Park.
Therefore, we especially recommend this area for families with children. There are many activities that the little ones will love, such as Ppaintball, wall climbing and rappelling, tree climbing, horseback riding, and even carriage rides.
Let's say that in this part of the Park, you'll find more relaxed activities than in Vila do Gerês. However, Jeep and Kart -Cross are also available in this area.
Caldas do Gerês
Lastly, our recommendations also include the most famous area of the Park – Caldas do Gerês.
Therefore in, Gerês Village you can find motorized activities such as 4×4 tours,, buggy rides, and quad biking.
However, if you are into water motorized sportsdon’t worry, there are options for you as well, such as Jet Ski, motorboat rides, and extreme tubing.
The water sports companies are usually located near the bridges.
Outra motorized actvity, very recent and that we highly recomend is the Electric Boat Ride in Barragem da Caniçada
This activity allows you to captain a boat that neither pollutes the dam’s waters nor creates disturbing noises for those who want to enjoy nature and its tranquility.
It’s definitely the best way to explore the dam if you’re not a fan of pedal Boats or Kayak.
In this article, we’ve listed just some of the activities available in different areas of the Park, so that next time you choose to visit our only National Park, you won’t limit yourself to Caldas do Gerês simply because you’re unaware of what the other regions have to offer.
And don’t forget one of the best activities to do in Gerês and totally free is Hikes
Go on an adventure, explore new places, and more importantly, support local businesses!
But remember, leave everything as you found it.
Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. :)
