Estrela Mountain Natural Park, nature interpretation hikings

Highest portuguese mountain

Reaching almost 2000 meters above sea level, Estrela Mountain Natural Park represents the highest elevation of continental Portugal. An imposing and spectacular rocky landscape, it is deeply marked with the scars left by the glaciers of erstwhile. Furthermore, it features mountain-specific habitats and numerous endemic species of plants and animals, some of which do not exist anywhere else in the world.

Estrela Mountain Natural Park is the area of excellence for all nature lovers.

Wildlife values

Estrela Mountain Natural Park has important natural values. Because of its altitude, the geographic isolation allowed certain species of animals and plants to find refuge or to evolve here separately from other populations, thus creating distinct and specific species for this territory.

In the higher altitudes, you can find and watch with ease, the ex-libris of the reptiles, the Iberian Rock Lizard (Iberolacerta monticola), exclusive from Estrela Mountain.

It is also possible to see some insects that are exclusive from here. The Monotropus lusitanica, the Iberodorcadion brannani the Zabrus estrellanus and the Ctenodecticus lusitanicus are the main ones. Other species have in Estrela Mountain Natural Park its exclusive distribution area in Portugal. Such is the case of the dragonflies Moorland Hawker (Aeshna juncea) and Yellow-winged Darter (Sympetrum flaveolum), as the Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea) butterfly.

From the group of existing birds and that we can observe at Estrela Mountain Natural Park, some of them find in this mountain its preferred habitat at national level. Of a list of about 100 species of residents birds, we can highlight the following:

Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis), Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana), Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia), Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris), Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Dipper (Cinclus cinclus), Common Redstart (Phoenicuros phoenicuros). Equally important are the Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus), the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), the Short-Toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the Booted Eagle (Hieraeetus pennatus) and the Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

Mountain Rock Lizard (Iberolacerta monticola)

Botanical values

In terms of flora, there is a wide variety of flowers that lend their color to the paths and slopes of the mountain. Like some of the fauna, a few plant species only survive in this mountainous territory. The highest ground has pseudo-alpine features and, therefore, the vegetation is mostly formed by small-sized plants, shrubs and creeping plants. The most common are the Juniper (Juniperus alpina) and grasses such as Festuca henriquesii and Cervum (Nardus stricta), well adapted to the adverse weather of winter with snow cover. Campanulla herminii, a beautiful blue flower associated with altitude pastures (cervunais), and Silene foetida subsp. foetida, bloom during the summer months. But since the middle of winter and early spring we can see several species of daffodils (some are Iberian endemisms) and the Fritillary (Fritilaria nervosa). In wetter areas, we can still find the tiny Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) a carnivorous plant.

Geomorphological values

Estrela Mountain was formed/rose due to the Hercynian orogeny (300 million years ago) and later with the convergence of the Eurasian and African plates (70-90 million years ago). Afterwards, during the Tertiary period (65-2.5 million years ago) it continue to rise with the Alpine orogeny.

Glacial processes during the Quaternary period (last 2.5 Ma) contributed to the current morphology of the upper levels of the mountain range. The Upper Plateau was covered by a polar ice cap measuring approximately 66 m² and reaching an average thickness of 80 meters. Seven glacial tongues diverged from this ice cap.

The last cold period (Wurm glaciation) began approximately 100,000 years ago and ended only 10,000 years ago. It was mainly the processes associated with glaciation that left deep marks on the relief and landscape of Estrela Mountain, making it the best place in the country to see this. Its geomorphological richness has also earned this territory the classification of Geopark Estrela by UNESCO.

Zêzere Glacier Valley, Estrela Mountain Natural Park

Our routes in Estrela Mountain Natural Park

Different routes in different sectors and altitudes allow us to explore and appreciate different landscapes and environments, as well as perceive the great biological diversity that characterises the highest mountain in mainland Portugal.

From 8 to 12km of lenght, our routes usually take more than 4 hours to be explored.

Either way, these can be adapted to meet the requirements of the group.

The Tower Plateau

This circular route around the highest point in mainland Portugal offers magnificent views of the surrounding territory. Despite the apparent ‘bare’

appearance of the landscape, along this route, you’ll get to know some of the most important and exclusive habitats, unique animals and plants that

characterise the Upper Plateau of this mountain range. A plateau with sub-alpine characteristics, where the vegetation is little more than low shrubs and

herbaceous plants, forming shrubby areas interspersed with high-altitude meadows, ponds and natural lakes of glacial origin and the constant presence

of granite.

Duration: 4h

Extension: 8km

Altitudinal difference: 243m (minimum altitude – 1750m; maximum altitude – 1993m)

Points of interest: Different lakes and glacier depressions.

Best period: from May till November

Price till 6 participants: 175,00 €

For larger groups or other conditions, please contact us.

The price quoted includes a guide and insurance.

Reservations are only guaranteed upon payment of 50 per cent of the registration fee.

Discount equal to VAT for private clients.

VAT is added to the prices indicated for companies and other organisations.

The Lakes Circuit

Serra da Estrela - Passeio Fotográfico — Lagoa Escura na Serra da Estrela

The Lakes Circuit is a route that takes us to see some of the high altitude lakes in Estrela Mountain. Depressions of glacial origin, they are water reservoirs with unique natural characteristics that were later interconnected and utilised by man in one of the first hydroelectric networks in the country. Lagoa Comprida, Lagoa dos Conchos and Lagoa Escura. The latter still retains its natural integrity.

A route with gentle terrain, varying between a dirt track and a mountain trail, with the wide landscapes and habitats that characterise the Upper Plateau of Estrela Mountain.

Duration: 4h 35m

Extension: 11,35km

Altitudinal difference: 130m (minimum altitude – 1584m; maximum altitude – 1714m)

Points of interest: Lagoa Comprida, Lagoa dos Conchos, Lagoa Escura.

Best períod: from March till November

Price till 6 participants: 175,00 €

For larger groups or other conditions, please contact us.

The price quoted includes a guide and insurance.

Reservations are only guaranteed upon payment of 50 per cent of the registration fee.

Discount equal to VAT for private clients.

VAT is added to the prices indicated for companies and other organisations.

Zêzere Glacier Valley

Starting in Manteigas, we’ll climb the entire length of Portugal’s largest glacial valley, the Zêzere. A linear route, this valley still shows traces of the last glaciation and the processes that gave rise to this natural monument. The river Zêzere, with its crystal-clear, cold waters, will also be a constant along the route, which ends, practically at its source, at Covão da Ametade.

Duration: about 4h

Distance: 9 km

Type: Linear

Difficulty: Medium

Altitudinal difference: 624m (minimum altitude – 808m; maximum altitude– 1432m)

Due to the fact that the route is linear, it is always necessary to carry out initial logistics because of the vehicles. At the end of the route, the group will return to Manteigas in a company car that will transport only the drivers or, with the support of private vehicles, the whole group.

Price till 6 participants: 175,00 €

For larger groups or other conditions, please contact us.

The price quoted includes a guide and insurance.

Reservations are only guaranteed upon payment of 50 per cent of the registration fee.

Discount equal to VAT for private clients.

VAT is added to the prices indicated for companies and other organisations.

Photo gallery

Recommendations and useful tips

Wear comfortable clothing and footwear, suitable for the expected weather conditions, namely: light, thermal (polar) and breathable clothing, a raincoat/windbreaker and mountain boots with a water-repellent membrane (gore-tex), a hat for the sun or a cap and gloves for the cold and trousers that allow freedom of movement, sunscreen. Take at least one litre of liquid per person. If you’re travelling for more than 3 hours, it’s advisable to take some food with you. Backpack (between 15 and 20 litres).

Even during the summer, the weather can deteriorate very sunddenly and become somewhat harsh: strong winds, low temperatures, fogs. Depending on the weather conditions for the day of the activity, there may be, or not, a change or cancellation of the program.