Fóios and Mesas Mountain
This small village in the municipality of Sabugal is located at the base of the western slope of the Mesas Mountain, at an average altitude of 950m. Its surroundings are formed of an interesting variety of natural and semi-natural environments, with meadows, oak woods, scrubland and pine forests. In addition, the presence of the narrow and timid course of the Côa River, which has its source here, at an altitude of almost 1200m, also stands out. The vestiges of human presence in this territory date back to the Bronze Age. In the recent past, this was also the territory of smugglers, who took advantage of the proximity of Spain and the mountainous area to smuggle products from both sides of the border. Currently, despite a smaller population, there is still an important farming activity, where cattle are preferred, giving rise, every year, to the traditional Capeia Arraiana.
The cradle of the Côa
It is in this territory that one can find the source of the Côa River. In its initial stretch, it delimits the Natural Reserve of Serra da Malcata in its northern part. Until it reaches Sabugal, the Côa takes on a westerly orientation. As it goes around the historical town it turns North and continues until it flows into the left bank of the Douro River, after about 140km.
The walking circuit
Mesas Mountain and the Cradle of the Côa is a circular trail that is located at the North of Malcata Mountain, starting and finishing in the central area of the village of Fóios. This area connects the Spanish border, being Navasfrías the nearest village. Next to the border, it makes use of an old smuggling route and, in its upper part, it includes a section of the Biodiversity Station installed here. The proposed route heads in an easterly direction, leaving the village when it crosses the Côa River. Following upstream, practically along its course, it passes through green meadows, oak woods and chestnut groves, separated by a grid of schist walls.
It goes up gradually until, at an altitude of about 1100m, the landscape begins to transform, as does its substratum, which changes from schist to granite. The slopes of the mountain are less wooded, with a greater presence of granite forms, and smaller shrubs. At an altitude of about 1175m, it reaches the source of the Côa River. It continues, climbing a little more until it reaches the cuminal plateau of the Mesas Mountain, passing close to its highest point, at 1256m. From here there are wide views to both Spanish and Portuguese territory. Continuing the crossing of the high part of the mountain, it continues along the border to the South, until it begins the long descent to Fóios, along the western slope. It goes through forested areas made up of pine and oak trees, as well as meadows.
