Peneda Geres National Park is a well-known nature wonderland with lovely forests, waterfalls, lakes, and many walking trails. We have been to Geres more times than we can count—it’s our go-to region in Portugal when we want to relax and enjoy nature.
We have been to many waterfalls in Geres, but in this post, we bring you the best waterfalls in Geres National Park. We will focus on the beauty of the falls, how to get there if it’s possible to swim or at least refresh yourself, and ultimately explain why you need to go there.
Planning a trip to Geres? Check favorite Peneda Geres traditional villages!
You should note that Peneda Geres National Park has dozens of waterfalls and cascades. We have visited many of them, but not all of them. If we discover something worth being on the list, we will update the post.
Are you looking for even more waterfalls? Check out our favorite waterfalls in Portugal!
9 best waterfalls in Geres National Park
Fecha das Barjas (aka Tahiti waterfalls)
Fecha das Barjas is a waterfall or a series of waterfalls on the Arado River. Cascatas do Tahiti (Tahiti waterfalls) is the unofficial name but the trendy name of Fecha das Barjas, and it is undeniably one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Geres. It is also one of the park’s most well-known and most famous waterfalls, attracting hundreds of people every day during Summer.
These waterfalls are formed by several cascades of very different sizes, with small lagoons of blue/green water. You can swim or at least refresh yourself in the pools, though the water is as beautiful as it is cold. These are probably the most beautiful and fun waterfalls in the National Park.
The higher part of this waterfall is easily accessed from the road that connects Fafião and Ermida, but to reach the lower section, you’ll need to hike the trail on the left bank of the river. It should take up to 10 minutes, and you should wear good hiking shoes as it’s steep. If it’s wet, it’s downright dangerous, and we advise you not to go!
Note: there used to be a walkway on the right side, but it has been closed since 2016.
- Fun: 5/5
- Size: 4/5
- Beauty: 4/5
- Access: 2/5
Portela do Homem waterfall
Portela do Homem waterfall (less commonly known as S. Miguel waterfall) is located in the heart of Mata da Albergaria, one of the most beautiful areas in Peneda Geres National Park. It is by the road, less than 1 km from the Portuguese border.
You should note that this is a special reserve area, and during Summer, access is limited – you can drive the road but can’t stop. Thus, you must stop by the border and walk your way back. You have to pay a toll to cross it.
Portela do Homem waterfall is a rather small waterfall on the still-incipient Homem River. The water crashes on a 5-meter drop from a big boulder into a beautiful blue water lagoon. It isn’t the most impressive as a waterfall, but the location, the wonderful lagoon, and the easy access make it possibly the most visited waterfall in Peneda Geres National Park.
- Fun: 5/5
- Size: 1/5
- Beauty 3/5
- Access: 4/5
Pincães waterfall
Pincães waterfall is located about 2km away from the small village of Pincães on the Pincães River. It is easily one of our favorite waterfalls in the park, as it has it all. It has a huge 20-30 meters drop, good water levels, and an inviting pool. The pool has clear water and it’s big enough to swim, dive and generally have fun.
We recommend you take a good look at the higher section of the falls and notice that this is actually a double-drop waterfall. In between them, the water goes behind and under a huge boulder stuck in the sides of the canyon. It’s pretty impressive.
The biggest downside of this waterfall is that it doesn’t have enough space for people to be around it. It’s a very narrow canyon, without grass or any flat places besides the rocks. However, it’s not the most famous falls, so it’s only really full-on Summer weekends.
The only way to reach this waterfall is to drive to Pincães, park at the village entrance, and hike about 2 km to the waterfalls. You should note that you can’t park in the village, so you must leave the car before the sign. The hike to the waterfall is easy, with a short steep climb (about 100m) right before reaching the falls. The trek isn’t well signed, but it’s relatively easy to figure out where to go – you mostly need to follow the water.
- Fun: 4/5
- Size: 3/5
- Beauty: 4/5
- Access: 3/5
Arado Waterfall
Arado Waterfall is another waterfall on the Arado River (like Fecha das Barjas). Together with Fecha das Barjas and Portela do Homem, it is the most visited waterfall in Geres. However, to be honest, we went there and felt it was too crowded, which we can’t say the same about the other two.
Arado waterfall is conveniently located close to Pedra Bela and very easy to reach. The famous Rocas lookout is about halfway between Pedra Bela and Ermida. There, you’ll find a big dirt road. Follow this road until you reach the bridge. You can drive there in any car; despite being a dirt road, it’s usually in a very good state. Or, if you don’t want to risk it, you can walk. It’s not too far.
On the bridge, you must decide whether to go to the lookout or the waterfall. To go to the lookout, you have to climb the stairs, and in 10 minutes, you’ll reach the beautiful lookout to the falls. If you want to actually go to the falls, we suggest you descend to the river on the bridge and then hike through the boulders and pools until you reach the waterfalls.
From the lookout, you can see that the waterfall is made of 3 big drops with beautiful pools along the way. As we suggested earlier, you can easily see the last drop and pool, going through the river. The others are much more difficult, and we have never done it. Finally, we need to mention that during summer this waterfall usually has very little water. The pools are still amazing, but the falls become less impressive.
- Fun: 3/5
- Size: 3/5
- Beauty: 3/5
- Accessibility: 3/5
Peneda Waterfall
Peneda waterfall is located at the extreme north of the park, in the village of Peneda, Gavieira. This is a very different waterfall from the others on this list. It’s a waterfall to see and be impressed, not to go close and bathe. In fact, as far as we know, it doesn’t even have a pool under the waterfall. It’s also a very seasonal waterfall. During Summer, it becomes almost dry, with almost no flow. So, to really see it you should go during winter or after a few rainy days.
Yet, Peneda waterfall made this list instead of many other cascades in the Park. Why? At its peak, it’s a really impressive waterfall that is visible from a great distance due to the white foam created by the water falling into the rocks. Plus, we said you can’t go into the falls but can go very close to it and feel its power.
Finally, this waterfall has another exciting feature. The water drops right behind the old pilgrim’s dormitories (now Hotel da Peneda). Then it goes under the building and the village square before joining the Peneda River. You can even hear the water flowing under your feet. It’s a rather bizarre experience.
- Fun: 3/5
- Size: 5/5
- Beauty: 2/5
- Accessibility: 5/5
Cela Cavalos waterfall
This is another beautiful waterfall with a small pool. The water is crystal clear, and the pool is big and deep enough to dive in, refresh, and relax. The drop isn’t too big, 5 to 10 meters, but it creates a wonderful area. It’s more of a beautiful, fun waterfall than an impressive one.
As it’s in a secluded area and relatively far from other main attractions, it’s one of the least visited waterfalls on this list. Furthermore, it has a rather large area where one can lie down and enjoy the scenery, which means that this is one of the most relaxing to spend time.
Our favorite feature of Cela Cavalos is the small half-hidden trail to the top of the cascade. It’s quite steep and a bit dangerous, but from the top, you have a beautiful view of the central cascades and the horizon. To top it all off, there are a few other natural pools with beautiful turquoise water and very few people. Do not go there if it’s wet!
Cela Cavalos waterfall is located about 2km from Cela, Outeiro. The fastest way to reach it is by leaving the car on the M308 and walking about 2 km. There are no signs, but there are usually cars parked by the road there. If you can’t find it, you can always drive to Santa Luzia Chapel in Cela and walk to the falls from there. The distance is fairly the same.
- Fun: 4/5
- Size: 2/5
- Beauty: 3/5
- Accessibility: 4/5
Dola Waterfall
Dola Waterfall is perhaps the least known on this list, but it’s no less beautiful than the others—in fact, quite the opposite. Despite being relatively small, with a maximum height of around 5-10 meters, this waterfall boasts incredible natural beauty.
Besides its natural beauty, this waterfall is ideal for those wanting to escape the crowds, as it is rarely visited, making the experience even more spectacular. Indeed, whenever we’ve been there, we were alone and could enjoy the space at our leisure.
If that wasn’t enough, Dola Waterfall also has a beautiful pool of clear water where you can easily swim and dive. Access to the pool is very easy, and there is some space to lie on the rocks by the shore.
Access to the Dola Waterfall and Pool is not very easy, and there are no marked trails. However, in this article, we explain exactly how to get there. Still, this waterfall is for those who know Gerês well or are accustomed to mountain hikes.
- Fun: 5/5
- Size: 3/5
- Beauty: 4/5
- Accessibility: 2/5 (it’s not marked, but we didn’t give it a 1 because it’s not that far from the road)
Teixo Waterfall
Teixo Waterfall is quite close to the Poços Verdes do Sobroso (also known as the Sete Lagoas do Xertelo). Despite its natural beauty, it tends to be somewhat overlooked due to the understandable popularity of the Sete Lagoas.
Although it has several levels, this is not a large waterfall, and none of the drops are very high. However, it is very beautiful with its turquoise pools, pure mountain surroundings, and granite rocks that enhance its appeal.
This waterfall usually doesn’t have many visitors. Still, on days when the Poços Verdes are crowded, some people who know about Poço do Teixo come here to escape the crowds.
Access is relatively simple since, as explained here, you mainly follow the trail to Poços Verdes and then walk a bit further. It’s not particularly complex, but there are no signs from Poços Verdes onward.
Access to the waterfall and its pool is a bit difficult, but with caution, you can take the much-anticipated dive into the beautiful waters of Gerês.
- Fun: 4/5
- Size: 3/5
- Beauty: 4/5
- Accessibility: 2/5 (it’s not marked, but it’s not that difficult)
Pitões das Júnias Waterfall
Pitões das Júnias Waterfall is a huge waterfall near Pitões das Júnias. This is one of our favorite traditional villages in Geres, and one reason is the waterfall (the others are the ruins of the monastery and the location).
Like Peneda, this is a waterfall to see, not get into. Though it is worth it. The first and main drop is more than 30 meters, and during the rainy season, the flow is enormous. During summers, the water levels decrease significantly, making it less impressive. You can still see it’s a big waterfall, but there’s not much water.
To see the waterfalls, you need to go to the village and look for the waterfall signs. You’ll eventually reach the parking lot. Park there and then walk the 600-meter pathways to the lookout. There are quite a few stairs, but it’s doable by everyone without mobility limitations as it’s a very short distance.
You have a fantastic view of the falls from the lookout, but it’s pretty far from them. Supposedly, there’s a trail from there to the falls, but we have never tried it, and we actually read that it is sometimes difficult and even dangerous.
- Fun: 2/5
- Size: 5/5
- Beauty: 4/5
- Access: 4/5 (1, if you want actually to reach the falls)
These are our favorite waterfalls in Peneda-Geres, yet as we mentioned in the beginning, there are many others, like Leonte and Laja waterfalls in Geres River, Soajo waterfalls in Soajo, and many others throughout the park. There are also many lovely lagoons with small cascades, which we didn’t mention here, like the seven lagoons or Poço Azul, but those will have their post “the best pools and lagoons of Geres.”
Pin later
