Interpretive Route of Mata da Margaraça

The Interpretive Route of Mata da Margaraça, stretching 900 meters, offers excellent opportunities for nature contemplation, equipped with environmental interpretation structures due to the particularities of the native fauna and flora, as well as the influence exerted by human presence on the ecosystem, whose visible testimonies are the various abandoned terraces and the ruins of old water mills. Doing this route requires an initial visit to the Mata da Margaraça Interpretive Center, which clearly and playfully highlights the most relevant aspects of biodiversity and the vestiges of a community structure that was based on subsistence farming. Next, immerse yourself in the route and discover the charms of this ancient forest, included in the list of national heritage from the 19th century. Discover the forest's floristic diversity, classified as a Biogenetic Reserve, because of the characteristics of the primeval forest that houses classified and highly interesting habitats, such as oak groves dominated by downy oak accompanied by other species like Portuguese oak, cork oak, elm, strawberry tree, arbutus, azereiro—a relic species of the Laurissilva—and remarkable holly specimens, a species protected by national decree-law. Halfway through the route, rest by the stream and enjoy the waterfall, the ruins of the water mill, built entirely in schist, which still preserves its millstone and the terraces that once supported the local agricultural system. On the return to the route, admire the Casa da Eira, another magnificent example of schist architecture.