Lamas-Peneda Route The Lamas de Mouro-Peneda route starts at the Lamas de Mouro Gateway to the National Park of Peneda-Gerês, in the Municipality  of Melgaço, and ends at the Sanctuary of Senhora de Peneda, in the Parish of Gaviera. It is about 11.5 kms long and follows through the River Mouro valley watershed that divides the Parish of Castro Laboreiro from the Parish of Gaviera, in the Municipality of Arcos de Valdevez. This route can only be followed on foot. We recommend you allow 8 hours to follow the entire route and to appreciate the suggested points of interest (there are 23 described in all) related to natural, cultural, geological and scenic features of importance. From the bucolic white birch grove on the banks of the River Mouro to the wild gorse areas, in the surroundings of “Chã da Matança” or the “Brandas” (temporary summer villages) for the cattle of Gaviera and that which especially stands out most, the natural heritage. The route is graded medium to high difficulty and is therefore recommended only for those who are physically fit and with hillwalking experience. There is no guarantee of being able to replenish water along the route (springs and fountains are seasonal). Letter from the Route Files for PDA POINTS OF THE ROUTE • 1 - Start point of route • 2 - Scots pine tree and white birch tree grove • 3 - Granite blocks • 4 - Humid heather-gorse areas 1 • 5 - Heather-Gorse areas 2 • 6 - Zoomorphic shape - lizard • 7 - Calçada (Pavement) of Portela do Lagarto • 8 - Little shrine (Alminhas) of Lagarto • 9 - Waterside white birch grove • 10 - Oak grove • 11 - Chã da Matança • 12 - Brushwood glade • 13 - Branda (temporary summer village) of Chã da Matança • 14 - Heather-Gorse areas 3 • 15 - Humid heather-gorse areas 1 • 16 - Veins • 17 - Tors and chaos of blocks • 18 - Branda (temporary summer village) of Poulo de Figueira Ruiva • 19 - Group of “Weathering Hollows” (Pias) • 20 - Thyme grove • 21 - Calçada (ancient street) of Quelha Escura • 22 - View over Peneda • 23 - Peneda River (rolled stones) • 24 - Sanctuary of “Senhora da Peneda” - End point of route