Portugal
Geres
3 days / x nights, October 2023
Rented a car in Porto and drove to Geres
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Alpine mountain town. Lots of hiking paths. Dense forest with lots of pine trees, ferns, crystal clear streams and waterfalls. Wonderful views. Goats, unattended horses, cows crossing road.
Day 1: Hiking
Easy drive from Porto. Our 1-bedroom Airbnb Refugio do Vidoeiro was right across the street from the start of two hiking trails. Great location and comfortable one bedroom place with decent kitchen and great patio.
We did PR3: Trilho Dos Currais. 6.5 moderate miles. 1,800ft+ elevation gain. First hour up hill (A few steep sections) which then opens up to a flatish section followed at mile 4 with an incredible viewpoint - Miradouro da Pedra Bela
Next 2 miles down had some fairly steep sections but all doable.
Day 2 & 3: Hiking
Day 2: Rained pretty much all day. So we ended up just hanging out at our apartment. Rain stopped long enough for us to walk into town for lunch at Lourdes Capela. Lots of locals. Had a nice salad mista, sautéed cabbage, and black beans. Good sized servings.
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Day 3:
Sun shined so we’re able to get out and see more of the beauty of Geres. First stop: Miradouro Rocas. Short hike up to 360 degree view point.
Walked to Cascata do Arado. Along the way saw a single shepherd herding a huge group of goats that were quite spread out. He also had a dog, but didn’t seem he was helping much.
​Drove a short way to another view point along the way to our next waterfall.​
Followed by another short drive and hike to Cascata de Varzeas . Unfortunately could only hike so far before we hit a locked gate of private property so didn’t get the full view of the waterfall but most of it.
