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.