Campo do Gerês
Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieiros
Campo do Gerês is the gateway to Portugal's only national park, Peneda-Gerês. It's a picturesque stone village with several accommodation options. The HI youth hostel offers a 15 percent pilgrim discount, but it's inconveniently located south of the village and away from food options — and not as cheap as it could be. Albergaria Stop is better located, has a restaurant, and doesn't cost much more than the hostel for a twin room.
The village has a quiet charm, with traditional granite houses and a mountain atmosphere. The national park begins just beyond — you're about to enter some of the most spectacular walking on any Camino in Iberia.
The Peneda-Gerês National Park was established in 1971 and is Portugal's only national park. It protects some 700 square kilometers of mountain landscape, including ancient oak forests, granite peaks, and a rich diversity of wildlife. The Roman Via XVIII passed through this territory, and the milestones and road sections you'll follow in the next stretch are among the best-preserved Roman road remains anywhere in Europe.
There are no arrows between Campo do Gerês and the border. Walk past the campsite north of town (Parque Cerdeira) and turn right a couple of hundred meters later on a path that soon reaches the dam, with beautiful views. After the first bridge, turn left. Cross the second bridge to admire — and perhaps swim in — some beautiful pools with small waterfalls.
To continue on the camino, recross the bridge, go straight on the rocky path for just a few meters until a smaller path becomes visible on the left. Take it and continue north to the border.