The one and only National Park of Portugal – Peneda Gerês

In North Eastern Portugal, bordering Spain is not only the largest National Park of Portugal, it is officially also the only… Located only a one-hour drive from the tourism magnet of Porto this is a great one or two day trip on any visit to Portugal, and it is also free of charge.

Terraced fields and villages around Sistelo - Peneda Geres, Portugal

Worth to note is that this area is quite rainy in winter, and there might also be snow. However, my opinion is that going in low season, and during days with “bad” weather can be a bliss as one may experience the majestic landscape feeling like a VIP on a private tour without the crowds covering the views.

Characteristic Cachena cattle around Geres - Peneda Geres, Portugal

The area is great for hikes, and it is also possible to drive between different areas, the roads are quite small and curvy though so exercise caution if driving.

Apart from the marvellous natural landscape around the area, there are also some very pretty villages where traditional Portuguese village life is still maintained.

View point in Geres with an areal view of the national park - Portugal



The Granaries of Soajo - Geres, Portugal

Village Square in Sistelo - Peneda Geres, Portugal

Nossa Senhora da Peneda - Geres, Portugal

The Village of Sistelo - Peneda Geres, Portugal

A platter of local cheese in Peneda Geres - Portugal

Stewed wild boar - Peneda Geres, Portugal

Hiking on Sao Miguel, Azores

Sao Miguel, the main island on the Azores offers a fair bit of history and also natural beauty.
One of the best thing of the Azores though is that it is not crowded, you can go out hiking and find the most wonderful spots to enjoy just on your own. Obviously it is also a very safe destination and suitable for those who travel alone, or who wish to spend time alone in general.
In June 2018 I did a very nice hike up to the waterfall Salto do Cagarrão starting from Faial Da Terra on the south east side of the island.





Apart from the wonderful waterfall where I was swimming alone in a "natural Jacuzzi" I also passed through the village of Sanguinho, that is an abandoned during the big emigration wave from Azores but today is again being re-found and refurbished by some ambitious locals. All in all a beautiful hike, quite steep at areas, but I spent around 3h walking up, swimming, and walking down passing through Sanguinho. I see there are tours out there selling for 50+€, I would rather recommend going on your own. Good thing would be to bring a phone though, just in case one gets lost or injured, the main road is never far away.

Below would be the impressions from having this hike 90% to myself during mid-June, most people stopped at the first waterfall so from there are there were no others.

Lush environment, hiking around Azores



It is a luxury to have a place like this all to oneself, I did spend some happy 10min just floating around before continuing the hike onwards. Salto do Cagarrão Waterfall - Azores.



Very few people on the trail, a few chickens around though. Faial da Terra, Azores.



Part of the abandoned village Sanguinho, Faial Da Terra, Azores.



Locally grown bananas in the abandoned village of Sanguinho, Faial Da Terra, Azores.



Part of the abandoned village Sanguinho, Faial Da Terra, Azores.