Granite peaks
Above the valleys.
Panegyrics of Granovetter from Toronto, Ontario, Canada — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Panegyrics of Granovetter from Toronto, Ontario, Canada — CC BY-SA 4.0 · AFatalErrorOccurred — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Panegyrics of Granovetter from Toronto, Ontario, Canada — CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Cosmonaut — CC BY-SA 4.0
Peneda-Gerês National Park, or simply Gerês, is Portugal's only national park, created in May 1971 and the country's oldest protected area. It covers 695.9 square kilometres of the north along the Spanish border, about 30 km in a straight line from Braga. It takes its name from its two main granite massifs, the Peneda and Gerês ranges. Its steep valleys carry fast streams and hold oak and pine forests, among the last strongholds of Atlantic European flora in Portugal. Around 220 vertebrate species live here, and ancient megalithic monuments and Roman remains are scattered through it. Rounded grey granite peaks rise over deep green valleys and blue reservoirs ringed by winding roads. In mountain villages such as Lindoso, traditional stone granaries stand raised on pillars, and waterfalls tumble between rocks in the woods. The park has many walking trails, lakes and waterfall pools for summer swimming. The mountain roads are narrow and winding, so drive slowly.
Above the valleys.
At Lindoso.
Among the rocks.
Viana do Castelo, Braga and Vila Real districts, northern Portugal
Yes, in waterfall pools in summer.
Narrow and winding.