Lamas de Mouro: all campsites should be like this

Lamas In Lamas de Mouro, right at the entrance to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, there is a campsite as all campsites should be: no alveoli, no tents stuck up against each other and plenty of shade.   This is one of those secrets that everyone should know. The Lamas de Mouro campsite maintains an aura of tranquillity and communion with Nature like few others. Despite having all the comforts that modern camping sites offer, it provides a feeling of peace like few others.

I have known Lamas de Mouro for more than 25 years. At that time it was only a camping support. I went back there recently and was surprised that it still has the same atmosphere that I fell in love with. But today with much better infrastructures.

At first glance, the big difference is the group of 6 bungalows that are on one of the tops of the campsite, but as time goes by, I discover others. In the past, this was a place where you could only put your tent under a big birch tree, shaded all day. And that was no small thing. The trees have grown even more and the shade is there, but now we are also allowed to do activities inside the campsite itself.

The wooden bungalows have capacity for four adults and two children. With two bedrooms and a small living room with equipped kitchen, they are very comfortable, especially as the price includes bed linen and heating. The porch that each one has is one of my favourite places. At night or during the day (did I mention there’s shade here all day long?), sitting on the veranda reading or catching up on good conversation – or simply letting the time go by – is relaxing.

The camping in Lamas de Mouro is inserted in the Peneda Gerês National Park and only half a dozen kilometres away from Castro Laboreiro, which is unique in the world. Here we have the communion between Nature and the man who knew how to adapt to it. To fill our days better and get to know the territory better, a visit to the county seat, Melgaço, is a must.

The Camping Park of Lamas de Mouro is now managed by Montes de Laboreiro, a company of accommodation and nature activities. This is their headquarters and the groups leave from here. But many stay in the park itself and the tree climbing, abseiling and archery that can be done here.

Montes de Laboreiro has a full programme of activities that allow us to get to know the Peneda-Gerês National Park in a very intimate way; from workshops on castrejo bread to walks with shepherds, there is a wide range of activities on offer. Canyoning takes advantage of the Castro Laboreiro river and is truly not to be missed. de Mouro: all camping sites should be like this.