Visitas de Campo EN

16 – PERI-URBAN PARKS, NATURE SO CLOSE TO US

Location: Network of peri-urban parks of Vila Nova de Gaia

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): Low

Vila Nova de Gaia is a municipality with about 300 thousand inhabitants, with a population density of almost 1.800 hab/ km2, being the third most populous of the country.

Since early, the issue of nature and leisure was a priority of the municipality that created, in 1983, the Biological Park of Gaia, symbol of all work in favour of environmental education followed by the declaration of successive spaces with natural values on the banks and at the mouth of the Douro river, and still in the dune cordon of the coast.

The visit dedicated to the theme of the periurban parks will begin with the Biological Park of Gaia where the whole network of peri-urban natural spaces will be known and the specific problem of spaces of this nature, followed by a visit to the facilities and spaces of the park. After lunch, we will visit some of the other natural spaces of the network.

15 – WATER WALK IN THE PAIVA VALLEY

Location: Paiva Valley, Arouca

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): High

The Paiva river has a high diversity of species, habitats and ecosystems, some of which are considered to be priority at the European level.

In this visit, to be realized through a water walk, you will have the opportunity to know one of the most interesting sections of the Paiva river, with the peculiarity of walking along its bed and its banks. You will be able to know its extraordinary biodiversity in greater detail, as well as the actions and projects that have been developed by SOS Paiva River – Paiva Valley Defense Association, with a view to their protection and conservation.

After this walk you can still test your acumen, in performing maneuvers with ropes, in a set of activities that are expected to be carried out along the “Ponte de Alvarenga” (Alvarenga bridge), over the Paiva river.

14 – LEVADAS OF THE MAGIC MOUNTAINS, A NEW BET FOR LOCAL TOURISM

Location: Caima valley, Vale de Cambra

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): Medium

Although practically unexplored in mainland Portugal, levadas are an important resource in the context of the offer of nature tourism, combining the pleasure of walking, the contemplation of the landscape and the interpretation of the surrounding natural, cultural and rural heritage.

The great abundance of rivers and streams that cross the Magic Mountains, coupled with the strong agricultural tradition of the territory, gave rise to the construction of countless levadas (irrigation channles), with the function of driving water from the rivers and streams to the mills and agricultural fields.

Through this visit you will have the opportunity to get to know “Levada de Santa Cruz”, on the banks of the Caima river, in Vale de Cambra, as well as the tourist valorisation project of the Burgães channels, an initiative of the local authority to increase the tourist activity in the county. During the visit you will have the opportunity to perform a "baptism" of Stand up Padle.

13 – DISCOVERING THE WATER AND STONE ROUTE OF THE MAGIC MOUNTAINS

Location: Freita and Arada mountains and Caima and Teixeira valleys, S. Pedro do Sul, Arouca e Vale de Cambra

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): Medium

If there are natural elements that stand out in the landscapes of the Magic Mountains, besides the mountains themselves, they are the water and the stone, forming the base of some of the most emblematic places to visit in this territory: waterfalls, reservoirs, wells, villages, sidewalks, Paths and walls, bridges, mills, among others.

In order to promote this priceless heritage, ADRIMAG put forward the creation of a nature route, called "Water and Stone Route", which promotes the visitation, interpretation and valorisation of these spaces, distributed by the seven municipalities of the Magic Mountains.

This visit proposes the discovery of some points of the route, with the interpretation always enriching and enthusiastic of one of those responsible for its creation, the biologist Paulo Pereira.

More info: www.rota-ap.pt, www.facebook.com/rota.ap.pt

12 – VOUGA VALLEY – BOOSTING TOURISM BY VALUING THE HERITAGE

Location: Vouga valley, Sever do Vouga

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): Medium

Occupied by man since the immemorial time, the Municipality of Sever do Vouga is located in the heart of the Vouga valley. It is a Site of Community Importance of the Natura 2000 Network and has distinctive natural characteristics, historical and cultural heritage and a unique desire for the production of small fruits, especially blueberry.

The Vouga river and its magnificent valley have an exceptional conditions for practicing multiple nature tourism activities. In this visit we propose you a closer contact with the river and its natural and historical-cultural surroundings, by walking on foot, through the ecopist of Sever do Vouga, climbing activity in the bridge of Poço de Santiago and a visit to the experimental field of the small red fruits and discover the origins of the blueberry production in Sever do Vouga and, finally, visit the Cabrea waterfall.

During the visit you will also have the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful landscapes, as well as the actions of valorization of the historical-cultural heritage that the Municipality of Sever do Vouga has been developing, namely the transformation of the emblematic ex-railway line of the Vouga and the use of the built railway heritage for the dynamization of economic activities.

11 – SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE – ECONOMY OF SMALL FRUITS AND AGRITOURISM - Merged with Field Trip nº 12

Location: Vouga Valley, Sever do Vouga

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): Medium

Occupied by the Man since immemorial times, the municipality of Sever do Vouga, located in the heart of the Vouga valley, has unique natural characteristics and a singular vocation for the production of the small fruits, especially blueberry.

In this visit you will have the opportunity to discover the origins of the blueberry production in Sever do Vouga and to realize how it has become one of the main economic development engines of the municipality that is, currently, the largest producer of blueberries in Portugal.

During the visit, you will also have the opportunity to discover some of the best kept secrets of the Vouga valley: its megalithic treasures, agritourism units, farms of organic products and beautiful landscapes.

10 – FREITA MOUNTAIN – GEODIVERSITY, WILD FAUNA AND EXTENSIVE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Location: Freita mountain, Arouca and Vale de Cambra

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): Low

The Freita mountain is one of the most important nature areas of the Magic Mountains, not only for the richness of the geosites it possesses but also for the extraordinary biodiversity that it hosts, being classified as a Site of Community Importance of the Natura 2000 Network

The Magic Mountains host a rich biodiversity of wildlife species, including the threatened Iberian wolf. However, the coexistence between wildlife and man is not always easy. On the other hand, the specificity of these mountainous areas of community base, the vacant land, requires an equally specific management model that integrates the different values of the territory.

In the middle of the mountain, we invited you to take a course of discovery of signs of the presence of several species of wild fauna and examples of some mitigating measures, namely the reintroduction of wild prey. Finally, we will have the opportunity to talk with a territory guardian and to know the multifunctional logic of approach of these territories, taking the opportunity to discover a little more about the autochthonous arouquesa breed.

Throughout this visit you will have the opportunity to experience part of the itinerary A: «Freita, the enchanted mountain» of the Geosites Route of the Arouca Geopark, where you will find some of the most emblematic geological phenomena in this classified territory, such as "Pedras Parideiras" (stones that give birth) in the village of “Castanheira” and the "Frecha da Mizarela", one of the highest waterfalls in Portugal.

09 – EQUILIBRIUM OF THE AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND GRAZING IN PASTORAL, HERD AND NATURE LAND

Location: The Freita and Arada mountains, S.Pedro do Sul, Arouca and Vale de Cambra

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): Medium

The Magic Mountains have always had a strong vocation to the agriculture, forestry and grazing. Finding the balance between these three strands and the natural heritage is a great challenge for both, the inhabitants and those in charge of land management.

“Wearing the skin of a shepherd for a day" we invited you to take an interesting walk along the slopes of the Arada mountain, along which practical ideas and experiences will be shared on issues that are sensitive to this and other territories: management of grazing and maintenance of natural values, management of traditional fire and technical fire, and extensive livestock production of native breeds and their short-chain recovery (km0).

Throughout the visit you will have the opportunity to contemplate the landscapes of the Freita and Arada mountains, observe and interpret biodiversity, and live with local customs and traditions.

08 – NATURE – CARING FOR AND PROTECTING, GIVING AND RECEIVING – PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL SPACES AND FORAGING

Location: The Freita and Arada mountain, S.Pedro do Sul

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): Medium

The private management of protected and classified areas in a nature conservation logic is a topic that has become increasingly important, deserving the attention of people and non-governmental organizations.

Through this visit we intend to present some actions that have been developed in the Magic Mountains, with a view to the protection and conservation of the natural resources, namely the area under management of Montis – Nature Conservation Association, whose objective of creation of good management conditions encompasses the use of natural engineering or controlled fire techniques.

During the day you will also have the opportunity to participate in a foraging activity (search for wild food resources) and to get to know two tourist projects in the middle of the Arada mountain, which promote good ecological practices in their activities, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources – Biopark of Carvalhais and Retreat of the Fraguinha (Camping Park).

07 – MONTEMURO – THE "GREAT MOUNTAIN" IN BTT/MOUNTAIN BIKING

Location: Montemuro Mountain (Serra do Montemuro), Cinfães

Level of difficulty (physical requirement): High

The Montemuro mountain has a geographical area of 38.763 ha, 69% of which is covered by three municipalities of the Magic Mountains – Castro Daire, Cinfães and Arouca.

In this visit we propose you the discovery of the Montemuro mountain through the network of routes of BTT, implemented by the municipality of Cinfães. It is a recent project that, in addition to diversifying the offer of tourism and sports activities in the territory, enhances the natural and cultural heritage of mountain areas.

Get to know the project, share ideas and experiences, climb to the highest point of the Magic Mountains, pass through lost villages in the vastness of the mountain, discover hidden places of religious worship and enjoy landscapes to lose sight of!