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Oaks and moss in the Mata da Albergaria, beside the Portela do HomemPedro Nuno Caetano · CC BY 2.0

What to do · Peneda-Gerês

The Geira and the Mata da Albergaria from the Portela do Homem

A walk along the Roman road Braga – Astorga and the oldest oak wood in the park, from the border with Lobios. Route · 2–3 h · Families

InformationSelf-guided · free
Price
Self-guided · free
Duration
2 h 30
Season
All year; best from May to October
Who it's for
Families with children who walk; shoes with good grip

The Geira, the Roman road that linked Braga with Astorga, crosses the Mata da Albergaria, the oak wood that the Terras de Bouro council calls the heart of the park and which is a European Biogenetic Reserve. Leave the car at the Portela do Homem, on the border with Lobios, and go down the road between milestones to the Ponte Feia, above a waterfall on the Homem river; return by the São Miguel waterfall. Bring water and food: there are no services in the forest.

As a familyWith teenagers

Directions See all of Peneda-Gerês

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The dining room of the Cerdeira Restaurant, with light tablecloths and picture windows onto the woods© Parque Cerdeira

Cerdeira Restaurant

Restaurant · Campo do Gerês · €€€€

What to order: the Pedaço do Gerês, its version of bife à minhota; and order the kid or the bersame if you are a group.

Roast with oranges and potatoes beside the lit fireplace© O Abocanhado

O Abocanhado

Restaurant · Brufe (Terras de Bouro) · €€€€

What to order: the roast meat of the mountains and the view, by day: ask for a table by the picture window.

Closed for holidays from 9 to 20 November 2026; reopens on Saturday the 21st.
The former red-walled forest house that the restaurant occupies, with a terrace© Porta do Mezio

Porta do Mezio Restaurant

Restaurant · Arcos de Valdevez (Mezio) · €€€€

What to order: the caldo verde with broa and the house roasts, after visiting the biological park.

To stay nearby

Camping pitches under the oaks of Parque Cerdeira© Parque CerdeiraCampsite

Parque Cerdeira

Campo do Gerês · Bungalows from €67 · Pitches from €25 · Pool in summer · Restaurant

Why we like it: A campsite with granite bungalows, family rooms, cabins and motorhome pitches at Campo do Gerês, inside the national park.

From €25 / pitch View details
A double room at the hotel, with a large bed and a balcony© Águas do GerêsSpa hotel

Águas do Gerês Hotel, Termas & Spa

Gerês village · Opposite the baths · Spa · Restaurant and terrace

Why we like it: A hotel with 53 rooms and 2 suites in the centre of the Gerês spa village, opposite the baths and spa, with a restaurant and terrace.

View details
Three boys beside a tent on the campsite grass© Porta do MezioCampsite

Travanca Camping and Caravan Park

Mezio, Arcos de Valdevez · 6 km from Soajo · T1 bungalows · Motorhome area

Why we like it: A campsite among pines beside the Porta do Mezio, 6 km from Soajo, with pitches for tents and motorhomes and bungalows for two.

View details

Useful services

More to do nearby

Itineraries

Features in these plans

Oaks and moss in the Mata da Albergaria, beside the Portela do Homem
Day itinerary Gerês: the Roman Geira and the viewpoints Peneda-Gerês · 4 stops
Oaks and moss in the Mata da Albergaria, beside the Portela do Homem
Itinerary · 2 nights A Weekend in the Gerês, an Hour and a Half from Ourense Peneda-Gerês · 7 stops

Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/northern-portugal/peneda-geres/things-to-do/geira-portela-do-homem