This was our first time in Portugal and in the national park. Because of time constraints we were unable this time to explore and hike all the amazing routes in the park, but it left us with an amazing impression and a wish to come back.
The park
Peneda-Gerês is the only national park in Portugal. It was established on 8 May 1971, covers roughly 700 km² on the Spanish border in the north of the country, and is named after its two granite massifs, the Serra da Peneda and the Serra do Gerês. Together with Spain’s Baixa Limia–Serra do Xurés it forms a transboundary biosphere reserve (Wikipedia).
The drive up
The town of Gerês is a good pitstop to rest for a night and buy groceries, but we would not recommend staying more than one day. The drive up is incredible, with ancient oak forests, Roman and medieval ruins, intertwined with houses.
The waterfall
The highlight for us was the waterfall, the Cascata do Homem, as we know it: a small cascade dropping between dark granite walls into a clear, turquoise pool lined with smooth boulders. Thos waterfall is near Portela do Homem, and very close to the Spanish border close to the town of Gerês, . This waterfall is a popular swimming spot, although we walked really fast before rhe crowd to be able to have a quiet experience of our own
The waterfall also appears as Cascata de São Miguel or Cascata da Portela do Homem.
Our last photo shows the old oak woodland the paths run through, with bracken turning rust-red in October and a low stone wall half hidden among the trunks.
Find it on the map: Cascata da Portela do Homem, Gerês.
