THE GREATER CÔA VALLEY
This river valley represents a significant fluvial corridor, with about 140km of extension. From the source, in the Serra das Mesas (Sabugal), to the mouth, in the Douro River (Vila Nova de Foz Côa), this river crosses the plateau area of the Beira Interior, which corresponds to the end of the Iberian Meseta. In the past it served as a natural border, but today it still closely follows the Portuguese border territory, full of historical, natural and landscape richness. The prehistoric traces of human and wild presence, the medieval castles and the historical walled villages are well represented here.
Its natural landscape has recovered in recent decades, and there are now large tracts of young oak trees (Pyrenean Oak), where there are natural meadows and ash tree groves. Consequently, wildlife has returned to or strengthened its presence in this territory, with large herbivores such as the Red deer and the Roe deer standing out. The mythical Iberian Wolf has also announced its presence in a more regular basis. But it is the group of birds, especially birds of prey, that are best represented in this extensive flattened landscape.
Leave a review