This Summer I had the chance to revisit the Peneda-Gerês National Park and delight myself with one of the most amazing areas of Portugal. The park is located on the northernmost point of Portugal, about 450km from Lisbon and takes an eternity to get there. That’s just the price to pay to reach a place with exquisite beauty, great cultural heritage, primitive wilderness and extensive granite fields sculpting the landscape. A peak that hasn’t gone unnoticed is the Meadinha Wall, also called the Portuguese Yosemite in the past , has for many decades attracted climbers from all over, looking for adventure and a way to test their skills on this self-protected walls. But lets have a further look what the place has got to offer:

Arriving the picturesque village of Ponteira, with bouldering potential in mind.

 

The background of Pitões das Júnias, suggesting a deeper incursion.

 

Cuca contemplating the Nédia wall, a 500m slab that hosts a handful of routes.

 

Overview of the Nédia wall. It look so near, yet so far to reach…

 

Hills and granite domes nearby Castro Laboreiro village.

 

Arriving by dawn to Numão sanctuary and breathe it’s peacefulness.

 

A crystal clear night above our base camp.

 

On the next morning, I spend some time exploring the area, like a kid discovering Toys”R”Us for the first time.

 

Selfie, why not!?

 

Garranos running free, the local wild horses are a legacy of the place.

 

View of the Meadinha wall over the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda.

 

The virtuous stairway to heaven…

 

On the trail to the wall we could scoop neat boulders along the way .

 

Cuca on the amazing “S” route (100m, 6c).

 

The demanding 2nd pitch requiring a good foot work.

 

The rock quality is bomb proof all the way to the top!

 

Me leading the 3rd pitch.

 

Happy faces after a happy day. 😀

 

The summit classic.

 

On the way down we spot a team of Spanish climbers on the wall.

 

A place full of myths, beliefs and stories to tell.

 

Statues from 1854 representing Faith, Hope, Charity and Glory.

 

Traditional elevated stone granary (espigueiros) in Soajo.

 

Another one found in Nossa Senhora da Peneda.

 

Despite the sharp horns, local cows are really friendly and photogenic.

 

Cold contrasts of a street in Castro Laboreiro.

 

The migratory flux also hit this country and the population have diminished a lot. I can imagine, life hadn’t been easy for those who decided to stay there.