In the extreme North of Portugal, between the Atlantic Coast and the Spanish border, remnants of wildlife that once roamed all Europe have survived next to the vestiges of long lost civilizations.

Only on foot or astride a garrano pony can one appreciate the vast expanse and diversity of Peneda Gerês. Walk along narrow shepherd trails or on the ancient cement of Roman roads. From lush river valleys to bare rocky mountain peaks, from golden gorsefields to sweeping oak.
Peneda Gerês is the refuge of some of Europe’s last surviving great predators. A transition zone between the Mediterranean and the Euro-Siberian regions with a hotch potch of microclimates and new plants on every new trail.
Wild boars, otters, roe deers and foxes exist side by side with badgers, eagles  and the last surviving wolves on the continent. Ancient megaliths, rock carvings and old dolmen graves lie scattered in the park. The ruins of Celtic “castros” and medieval castles rise above little hill towns, where modern life has not yet intruded and oxen are still used to plough the fields.

Galopp on a garrano pony through the windswept Serra de Penada 

Climb up the granite rock faces with or without a rope

Marvel at the ancient dolmen tombs, which are more than 2000 years old