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ne of the great pros of working remotely is related to the freedom to travel and get to know – as a tourist and also as a local – the places from which you choose to work. Whether between meetings, at the end of the work day or on weekends, there is always time to explore and collect new experiences.
After we have given you a list of five places in the “middle of nowhere” that are worth visiting while working remotely, we want to tell you how you can make the most of one of them in particular: Gerês.
Right in the heart of nature, Gerês is one of the most beautiful regions in Portugal. Here, you can enjoy breathtaking landscapes, hike through the mountains, dive into waterfalls and even venture into outdoor sports activities, such as canyoning or stand-up paddleboarding.
Coverflex has gathered the seven best activities to do while you are in Gerês:
1. Tour through the village of Gerês
Our first suggestion starts in Vila do Gerês. How about using your lunch break to go to the village? You can take a short walk through it and then choose one of the typical restaurants in the area for lunch.
In addition, this village, which is located in the valley of the Gerês river, is known for its spa and hot springs, ideal for relaxing after a day of walking or working.
2. Walk through Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês
For starters, it is worth knowing that the Peneda-Gêres National Park covers an area of 703 square kilometres and extends across the far north of the country. This area thus involves a large part of the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga and Vila Real, occupying more than 100 kilometres of the southwest border of the province of Ourense, Spain.
Due to its size, there are five entrance doors, each one with a theme. There are plenty of hiking trails throughout the park - don't worry, they are all clearly marked! - and the distances vary between 1 and 17 kilometres. Put on your most comfortable sneakers and get ready to walk!
3. If you'd rather, you can also bike through the park!
Another fun way to get to know this National Park is by bike. You can get to know the typical landscapes of the north of the country while biking, and choose the route you want to do depending on the level of difficulty you want. From the standard tour, which is a short tour of Gerês by bike, to a two-day tour to Santiago de Compostela, there are options for everyone.
If you choose to rent a bike, keep in mind that you can also choose electric bikes, which will certainly make climbing steeper slopes easier.
4. Canyoning
If what you're really looking for is a radical weekend with outdoor activities, you're in the right place. There are a number of activities to do in Gerês. We suggest canyoning, as it involves a little bit of everything. It is an extreme activity where you descend the bed of a river or stream in mountain valleys using a variety of techniques that can involve hiking in rough terrain, abseiling, jumping and swimming.
It is an experience that, in addition to being radical, will allow you to get to know the river in all its splendour, discovering the several waterfalls in the region.
5. Stand-up paddleboarding
Another option for outdoor sports is stand-up paddleboarding, which is much calmer and more easygoing. It's easy to learn and suitable for all ages, and you will not need a guide, which gives you the opportunity to design your own route, with complete freedom to explore the river.
Just like it happens with canyoning, there are several companies in the area that organise this type of activities and rent equipment, from smaller boards for an individual experience to boards for a joint activity for up to eight people. Even if you choose to go on your lunch break, you'll be able to relax a little on the board.
6. Waterfalls
Before leaving Gerês, make sure you have at least seen some of the various waterfalls that you can find in the park. Our highlights are the Pincães Waterfall, one of the most accessible in the mountains, as it takes you about 20 minutes to walk there from the village of Pincães. We also think it's mandatory to take a dip in the Tahiti Waterfall, one of the most popular in the mountains - and for a good reason, as it looks like an authentic postcard from Tahiti or Bora-Bora.
We also suggest that you visit the Arado Waterfall. This is accessible by car, at least up to the Rocas viewpoint. And, finally, put the Poço Azul trail in your plans. It's worth waking up earlier and doing it before you start your work day.
7. Arcos de Valdevez
To spend a day in a different way, we advise you to leave the Peneda-Gêres National Park and, in just over 20 minutes by car, get to Arcos de Valdevez. It's part of Viana do Castelo district and there is much to see and explore in this village. It is full of charms that are typical of the region of Alto Minho, from the green landscape to the rich architectural heritage and picturesque community villages.
Some of the places we suggest that you visit are Ponte Velha (Old Bridge), Lapa Church, Paço de Giela, Sistelo Castle, Soajo and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda. In addition to this, you can travel the 32 kilometres along the Lima River and the Vez River that make up the Ecovia do Vez, which starts in Arcos de Valdevez and ends in the village of Sistelo. The entire route lasts at least six hours. However, each of the steps can be done separately, and you can do as many as you like.
