Gerês, in the municipality of Terras de Bouro, has always symbolised harmony between Man and Nature, in a permanent sharing of activities and feelings, of the people allied to the nature of the inhospitable granite mountains moulded by time. The waters run through the streams and the pure air surrounds the great diversity of fauna and flora, providing a continuous movement of calm and pleasure.
An important tourist destination for more than a century, Gerês is a brand to defend, preserve and to take legitimate advantage of for the sustainability of the region. Gerês offers high quality products and services designed to provide the well-being so necessary in today’s busy lives.
Of unquestionable value is the Peneda-Gerês National Park. This was the first protected area created in Portugal (1971), by Decree-Law No. 187/71 of 8 May, and the only one with National Park status. It is located in the northern region of Portugal, sharing a border with Galicia, which forms a continuous landscape with the Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés Natural Park, in the municipality of Lóbios, in Spain. These two parks make up the Gerês-Xurês Transfrontier Park. Besides the areas of influence of the rivers Minho, Lima, Cávado and Homem, the Peneda-Gerês National Park is part of the granite massifs of Peneda, Amarela and Gerês. It has a total area of 69,693 hectares, covering five municipalities: Arcos de Valdevez, Melgaço, Montalegre, Ponte da Barca and Terras de Bouro (It represents 55.7% of the total area of this municipality).
The region is predominantly granite and mountainous, with altitudes reaching 1545m, on Pico da Nevosa, in Terras de Bouro. Part of the mountains that constitute it have suffered interventions by Man, continuously, since Neolithic times.
In the municipality of Terras de Bouro, the “heart” of Peneda-Gerês National Park, we suggest you to visit places such as: Caniçada reservoir, Marina of Rio Caldo, S. Bento da Porta Aberta, village of Covide and Campo do Gerês, Museum of Campo do Gerês, Junceda pointview, Boneca pointview, Vilarinho das Furnas dam, village of Brufe, Mata de Albergaria, Portela do Homem, Pedra Bela pointview, village of Ermida, Waterfall of Arado, Fecha de Barjas (waterfall of Taiti), Vila do Gerês, Tude de Sousa park and village of Santa Isabel do Monte.