PARQUE NACIONAL DA PENEDA-GERÊS
Peneda-Gerês National Park, one of Portugal’s greatest natural attractions,
stretches from the Gerês Mountains in the south to the Peneda range and the
Spanish border in the north. Established in 1971, it extends over about 700
sq km (270 sq miles) of wild, dramatic scenery, with windswept peaks and
wooded valleys of oak, pine and yew. It also hosts rare wolves and golden
eagles among its rich variety of fauna. In the park’s villages, everyday
life remains firmly rooted in tradition.
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from Braga to Caldas do
Gerês; from Arcos de Valdevez to Soajo & Lindoso; from Melgaço
to Castro Laboreiro & Lamas de Mouro. -
Caldas do Gerês:
on main road (Tel: 253 390 110 ); Lamas do Mouro: next to camp
site; Arcos de Valdevez: Rua Padre Manuel Himalaia (Tel: 258 515
338 ). Information on camp sites, hiking & pony
trekking is available at these offices and at Montalegre (see Serra do
Barroso).
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daily.
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public hols.
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Lindoso lies high in the hills of the Peneda Geres National Park
Woodland in Peneda-Gerês
The tomb-like architecture of espigueiros (granaries)
appears in several areas of the park, especially in the villages of Lindoso
and Soajo. Constructed either of wood or granite, they are raised on columns
and slatted for ventilation. The design keeps grain and maize at the right
humidity as well as off the ground, out of reach of hens and rodents. Topped
with an ornamental cross or pyramid, the design of espigueiros has scarcely changed since the 18th and 19th
centuries.
