Portugal has a sun, sea and sand reputation amongst many holidaymakers. There is however much more to the country than the stereotype would suggest. If you drive north from Porto, past Braga, to the border with Spain, you will come across the Peneda-Geres National Park. This is the only National Park in Portugal and it’s a huge contrast from the popular beach resorts that you find in the south.
The 750km2 area of the park is a great place to explore and there is no better way to do this than in your hire car. There are a network of brilliant driving roads through scenic countryside that will make every excursion a pleasure. The park is suitable for a day trip, or a week-long stay. What you choose to do will largely depend on how much time you have here. If you are interested in visiting another of Portugal’s hidden gems, why not read our blog on Ancient Evora?
Getting in Touch With Your Wild Side
If you are looking for a relaxing retreat then the Peneda-Geres is the perfect place for you. The park is bisected by the national border, but don’t let this stop you exploring. There are some impressive mountain ranges on show here, of which the Soajo Mountains are the main range. Walking enthusiasts are particularly spoilt in Peneda-Geres, as there are lots of fantastic trails in the mountains of varying length. Don’t worry if you are not a regular rambler though, because there are a variety of grades of difficulty on offer. The best routes are found in the northern areas of the park, however, it is possible to take a scenic walk from just about anywhere.
Don’t worry if you’re not planning on being particularly active during your time here, because there’s still a lot to do. There are numerous rivers that run through the park and they are teeming with wildlife. Be sure to take a picnic and spend an afternoon sitting by the Lima River. There are also some great swimming locations and a variety of sites where you can spend some time watching the native otters.
Taking a Step Back in Time
Within the park there are numerous small villages. The isolated nature of the area means that the locals still have a very traditional way of life. The villages in the Serra da Peneda region of the park are the most intruiging to experience and visiting them is like taking a step back in time. You will find little modern technology and the cobbled streets are often occupied by some form of wildlife, whether it’s oxen, chickens, cats or dogs. The shepherds that live in these villages are very welcoming and the warm atmosphere in the area is one of its major charms.
Further south on the edge of the park is the village of Soajo. This charming village has some brilliant stone architecture in it and it’s definitely worth a visit. The stone ‘espigueiros’ (crop drying huts) that stand on stilts below the castle are particularly impressive. From the village there are multiple walking routes, some of which are used as pilgrimages to the religious sites in the area, which are suitable for all abilities.
A Contrasting View
After you’ve spent some time in the park it’s easy to forget what built-up urban areas can feel like. Deep in the heart of the park, just west of Lindoso is the Alto Lindoso Dam. Although it’s not an urban area it can serve as a prompt reminder as to the impact of humans on the environment. This intimidating concrete structure cuts across the mighty Lima River and converts it into a shadow of its former self. If there has been heavy rain, the amount of water that passes through the dam onto the other side has an impressive force.
It’s not all environmentally suspect though. The water that passes through the dam is used to produce hydroelectricity. Whatever your views on the dam it is a great place to visit. You can’t help but appreciate the innovation and engineering that was required to build such a big structure.
There are limited public transport services that operate in and out of the park so having your own transport is really the only way to get around. Be sure to hire a car so you can access some of the more isolated points in the park.
If you are looking for more inspiration on what to do with your time in Portugal, be sure to check out our Portugal blog series. Alternatively, if you have a confirmed itinerary be sure to check out our article on Travel Scams to Avoid to make sure you stay safe.
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Written by Nicholas Ferns from Economy Car Hire
