70 246
Protected hectares
1971
Year founded
+800
Plant species
100+ km
Waymarked trails
Portugal's only national park
A wild and singular territory
Peneda-Gerês National Park is Portugal's only national park. Founded on 8 May 1971, it protects 70,246 hectares of one of the most valuable ecosystems in the Iberian Peninsula — granite mountains, river valleys, oak forests and communal villages with age-old traditions.
Species such as the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus), the garrano horse and the rare Gerês lily (Iris boissieri) share this territory with villages such as Pitões das Júnias and Tourém, keepers of centuries of living culture.
Explore the Park
Where does your adventure begin?
Plan Your Visit
Getting there, best seasons, rules and facilities. All the practical information before you go.
Trails & Activities
Over 100 km of waymarked hiking trails. Canyoning, kayaking and wildlife watching.
Accommodation & Services
Rural guesthouses, campsites and certified tour operators inside the Park.
Conservation
Species reintroduction projects, environmental education and responsible tourism in the park.
Highlights
What you shouldn't miss
The Iberian wolf and Gerês' iconic species
Wildlife
Iberian wolf, roe deer, garrano horse, golden eagle and the rare Gerês lily.
The best hiking routes
Trails
Officially approved routes for every level, from Cascata do Arado to the Roman Geira.
Villages and age-old traditions
Culture & Heritage
Communal villages, granaries (espigueiros), transhumance, castles and sanctuaries.
Frequently asked questions
What you need to know
Straight answers to the most common questions about Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Yes. Peneda-Gerês National Park, created on 8 May 1971 by Decree-Law 187/71, is Portugal's only national park. It covers 70,246 hectares in the north-west of the country, across the municipalities of Arcos de Valdevez, Melgaço, Montalegre, Ponte da Barca and Terras de Bouro.
Blog & Inspiration
Stories from the Park
Serra Amarela reforestation: how you can help after the fire
A village association in Peneda-Gerês National Park, northern Portugal, is asking for native trees, volunteers and tools to bring forest ba...
Healing Peneda-Gerês: inside WWF’s restoration work
In its first year, WWF Portugal’s D-Evolução programme has restored around 46 hectares of burnt forest and habitat in Peneda-Gerês National ...
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Gerês helipads and mountain rescue
Terras de Bouro, the municipality at the heart of Peneda-Gerês National Park, wants two helicopter landing sites to speed up rescues in the ...
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