Mid-September I have 1 week in Portugal. I was thinking of spending it in the Peneda Geres national park, but don't know how much the recent fires actually destroyed it. Anyone knows?
Or anyone any other idea where to go? I already visited Portugal several times, so Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and Algarve aren't really an option. I'm looking for beautiful scenery and small typical villages.
Thanks in advance!
I suppose you'll have a car then, given your criteria for choosing a destination?
Alternative though I don't know about the impact of fires:
We liked very much the area Evora - Evoramonte - Estremoz - Veiros (typical village) - Codosera - Alburquerque (both Spain) and had little time to enjoy the Serra de Sao Mamede. Biggest surprise Alburquerque.
It is a shame, but a lot of the park has been burnt. Not all of the park has been damaged so it may still be worth a visit. I don't want to put you off as I feel the local economy needs visitors.
I will let you make up your own mind by giving links to the Local newspaper's articles about the fires.
11 August 2010
13 August 2010
16 August 2010
18 August 2010
The last one talks about all the areas which have been burnt in Portugal.
If you do not understand Spanish then use Google to translate.
If you do not decide to visit the park then maybe visit Galicia or the Douro Valley or the places Arizona has suggested.
If you like nature, visit the coastline from Sines to Algarve - one of the most beautiful areas of Portugal.
I will be walking in the National Park with my guide from Sept. 12 to 19th. A few tracks have been close due to fire but the majority of my itinerary is intact. I worry about the fate of the giant oak trees that abound.
Is there still available the steam train ride along the Douro? And are there any other train lines offering excursions?
This article says that 11% of the park has been burnt. That is a lot of land but thankfully no where near all of the park has been blackened.
I have just come back from two weeks walking/touring in Penedes Geres in northern Portugal and there have been, in some case still are, fires in many places but most are localised and did not prevent any of the walks that I done. Some observations;
Generally: Fair amount of scrub fires high on the open hills but that should recover fairly quickly.
Soajo: Some bad fires to the north mainly in the area between Murca and Branda de Murca but ok above there (Sunflower guide walk 9).
Germill: Bad fires below Germill down to Lourido on the Germil road (Sunflower guide walk 3) have torched the valley and the walk. Scrub fires in parts on the open hills above Germil.
Brufe: Generally all ok around here with some scrub fires in parts on the open hills above the villages but none if the woodlands.
Pitoes das Junias area: Generally all ok around here and along the Montenegre road.
Serra do Barrosso: Several serious fires in the coniferous woodlands in this area last week.
Penedes: I drove the circuit from Soajo > Penedes > Lamas do Mouro > Gave > Gaviera > Soajo and its all generally ok except for scrub fires high on some open hills.