The Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the only autochthonous (native) pine species to be found in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, although today there remain only a few small relics of the original forest, in the eastern part of the Serra do Gerês. In the whole of Portugal it is only in the Serra do Gerês that any part of the natural Scots pine forest has survived, all other examples of this tree are found in, or are derived from, plantations.
In contrast to the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) and stone pine (Pinus pinea), the Scots pine is adapted to cold climates and for this reason is found at the highest altitudes, generally above 700 metres.
In this area there also exist other resinous species that are exotics (species originating from other countries) which were planted by the Forestry Services before the establishment of the PNPG.
Amongst the most common fauna to be found in this type of forest can be seen slow worms (Anguis fragilis), the robin (Erithacus rubecula), blackcap (Parus ater) and common squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris).