Peneda Gerez
Peneda Gerez – is a national reserve of Portugal, which is one of a kind of park throughout the country. The park was organized in 1971 and covers an area of 720 km2. Peneda-Zheresh crosses two zones, namely the Mediterranean region, as well as the Euro-Siberian region. For this reason, a peculiar climate prevails here, and unique animals inhabit the park and fairly rare plants grow. For a long period of time, neither the lifestyle of the park nor its ecosystem has changed much.
Many tourists come to see the charming beauty of the natural park. Landscapes of this area will not leave indifferent a single traveler, because they are represented by huge plains, which are replaced by mountain ranges. Rivers flow through the territory of the park, and waterfalls also found their place here. Peneda-Zheresh Park is inhabited by a large number of different animals, as well as birds.
The border of the Pereda-Zheresh park is the semicircle of the massif, which includes the peak of Castru Laboreira from the north side and Mourela – in the east. In the park, abundant rainfall is usually observed, which is the reason for the existence of the local full-water rivers. The valleys of the park are filled with lush vegetation, here they abound with their variety of oaks, turmoil, padubes, birch trees. There are endemic plants in Peneda Jerez, including some species of lilies and ferns. The reserve is the home of brown bears, and flocks of mountain goats are found in the mountains of the park. In the park, predatory wolves, as well as eagles, were found shelter.
An unusual picture for the protected area is the presence of settlements where old stone houses are located, as well as a medieval fort. A very interesting fact from the life of the local population is that they have two houses each, one of which is located high in the mountains, where they spend their time in the summer, and the second is among the valley, where they usually winter.
The park houses the Vilarinho dash-Furnash Museum, which is organized on the basis of a former village that suffered from the flood due to the construction of a dam here. In addition to natural resources, the park lures its territory with ancient buildings, including the castles of Castru Laboreira and Lindoz. Excursion groups usually visit also flooded villages and dams.
Tourism is well developed in the Peneda-Zheresh Nature Reserve. There are numerous hiking trails that are designed for both hiking and cycling. Tourists often arrange campsites, and are also located in special tourist bases. In the park area there are roads along which there are special plates that indicate the direction of the most important attractions of the area, though the distance is not indicated, which is not very convenient for traveling.
A map of the park, where interesting places are inflicted, can be purchased at the local information center. Traveling to the Peneda-Zheresh park will certainly bring you pleasure, because he really has something to please his visitors.
