More about the National Parks of Portugal
cool green forests of the
parks
dramatic mountains
forests
vineyards can be seen across
Portugal
the famous oak used for
corks
Car Hire Portugal, National Parks
The Peneda-Geres National park is the
only national park in Portugal. Founded in 1971 the National Park
covers a massive 70,000 hectares containing extraordinary diversity
of environments including the transition zone between the
Mediterranean and Euro-Siberian regions.
The Park is a breathtakingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains littered with boulders. The bright purple and yellow heathers add a touch of softness bringing the rouged mountains and surroundings into perfect harmony.
A trip down the mountains leads you to conifer and broadleaved forests that contain rare Pyrenean and English Oaks.
The Peneda-Genres was once home to the brown bear and mountain goat.
Although these great species are now extinct the park is still home to some amazing species such as the great predators the wolf and the royal eagles, other species include the dear, wild boar and the otter.
The Park is a breathtakingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains littered with boulders. The bright purple and yellow heathers add a touch of softness bringing the rouged mountains and surroundings into perfect harmony.
A trip down the mountains leads you to conifer and broadleaved forests that contain rare Pyrenean and English Oaks.
The Peneda-Genres was once home to the brown bear and mountain goat.
Although these great species are now extinct the park is still home to some amazing species such as the great predators the wolf and the royal eagles, other species include the dear, wild boar and the otter.
In Peneda-Genres you will also find the only
surviving, untouched Roman roads that are occasionally crossed by
the wild Geres horses that roam the wilderness.
Whilst the Peneda-Genres is the only National Park in Portugal there are a number of natural parks, each with a unique twist. The following are just some of the highlights.
The North Coast natural park lies between the rivers or Portugal and the sea.
The park stretches over 17 kilometers between the Cavado River estuary and the village of Apulia in a line of snow coloured sand dunes. The land is sprinkled with low vegetation that given support to the sand. The dunes act as natural barriers against the sometimes harsh sea wind and prevent the ocean from creeping onto nearby farm land.
The sand dunes are warmed by the harmonious colours of the vegetation and sprinkled with traditional windmills which now make for perfect summer homes.
Whilst the Peneda-Genres is the only National Park in Portugal there are a number of natural parks, each with a unique twist. The following are just some of the highlights.
The North Coast natural park lies between the rivers or Portugal and the sea.
The park stretches over 17 kilometers between the Cavado River estuary and the village of Apulia in a line of snow coloured sand dunes. The land is sprinkled with low vegetation that given support to the sand. The dunes act as natural barriers against the sometimes harsh sea wind and prevent the ocean from creeping onto nearby farm land.
The sand dunes are warmed by the harmonious colours of the vegetation and sprinkled with traditional windmills which now make for perfect summer homes.
The Alvao Natural Park is Portugal’s smallest
park, but by no means is it any less beautiful. It covers 7,220
hectares and reaches an astonishing 1330 meters above sea level.
The protrusion of large granite rocks in the upper zone gives rise
to some mist spectacular waterfalls, such as the Figas do
Ermelo.
The vast forestation of the Alvao Natural Park make for the perfect home for numerous animals which include feral goats, numerous bat species, short-toad eagle, water pipit, bullfinch, the rare ocellated lizard and if you are lucky you may get to see the occasional wolf which are much rarer in these parts.
Other great natural parks include the Douro Internacional Natural Park, Coa Valley Archaeological Park, Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve, Tejo Internacional Natural Park and many more.
The vast forestation of the Alvao Natural Park make for the perfect home for numerous animals which include feral goats, numerous bat species, short-toad eagle, water pipit, bullfinch, the rare ocellated lizard and if you are lucky you may get to see the occasional wolf which are much rarer in these parts.
Other great natural parks include the Douro Internacional Natural Park, Coa Valley Archaeological Park, Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve, Tejo Internacional Natural Park and many more.
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