Hiking the Gerês Mountain Range

The Serra do Gerês is a breathtakingly beautiful mountain range in northern Portugal's remote Minho region. The granite peaks that define the character of this vast national park, set within the glorious Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, one of the top places to visit in Portugal, are among the highest and most spectacular in the country.

The Gerês Mountains, one of Portugal's most popular natural attractions, attract walkers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts to one of Europe's last great wildernesses, a stark and rugged landscape known for its lush valleys dotted with shimmering lakes, a scattering of traditional villages, rare flora and fauna, and a way of life that has all but disappeared from the country's mountain regions.

Ancient granite trails crisscross the area, which are signposted for hikers to follow for a short stroll or a challenging day trek. The majority of the tracks are between 10 and 16 kilometers long and have varying grades.

• Location: Peneda-Gerês National Park