Mountain Hiking & Yoga Retreat in Peneda-Gerês National Park

The retreat is built around a simple daily rhythm: yoga in the morning, a hike of 5 to 15 kilometres, and the rest of the day for recovery or cultural visits. The yoga sessions focus on mobilising joints, strengthening the core, and working on balance and breath — all things that make a real difference on steep climbs and long descents. In the evenings, meals are served in the main house, where guests eat together and share stories from the day's walk.

What makes this retreat different from a standard hiking holiday is the integration of the two practices. The yoga is not a generic class; it's tailored to support the demands of walking in the mountains, and you'll notice the difference as the week goes on. The hikes themselves are led by Anabela, who has spent two decades exploring these mountains and knows the hidden paths, the best viewpoints, and the history of the area. You'll cross rivers on old Roman bridges, walk through oak forests, and likely spot the Garrano horses that live wild on the plateaus.

The accommodation is a collection of stone houses that have been carefully restored, with a yoga studio on site. The village of Castro Laboreiro is a short walk away, and the surrounding national park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, so the nature is genuinely pristine. The guest house has a garden, a library, and a terrace, and there's plenty of space to simply be still. Guests often comment on the peace and the chance to see wildlife — owls, deer, and the friendly resident dog who sometimes joins the hikes.

Anabela is not just a guide and yoga teacher; she's also a certified nutrition coach, and the food reflects that. Meals are vegetarian, mostly organic, and influenced by Mediterranean and Ayurvedic cooking. Everything is prepared fresh each day, and most of the vegetables come from the property's own garden. If you have dietary requirements, you just need to let them know in advance.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in a restored mountain hamlet - All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner (vegetarian, with vegan/GF/DF options) - Coffee, tea, and fruit available in the kitchen - Daily yoga classes - Daily pranayama classes - Daily meditation classes - Transportation during the retreat for excursions - Group excursions and activities - Guided nature hikes with a local guide - Luggage storage - Free parking on site - Free WiFi

What's not included

- Flights to Porto - Visa fees (if applicable) - Airport transfer (€125 per person, paid locally) - Additional treatments (e.g., massage) - Activities not listed in the itinerary - Travel insurance - Personal expenses