Presentation
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Vale do Guadiana Nature Park (69.773 ha) is on the middle valley of the Guadiana river (the Protected Area margins the river from the area of Pulo do Lobo to the mouth of Vascão creek) sitting on a wavy plain that hides the fitted valleys of the river itself and its effluents which often are reduced to trickles during the summer.
The highest point in the Natural Park (370 meters) is on the quartzite elevations of São Barão and Alcaria hills.
The vegetation is dominated by corktree woods, with a modest presence of oak woods, extensive cistus areas and rainfed plantations. The river network is home to important ichthyological fauna - more than twenty species of freshwater fish such as Saramugo Anaecypris hispanica and the Guadiana Nase. In what regards the bird fauna we must highlight the birds of prey and the various passerine species.
Mértola village, at the top of a rocky spur which signals the conclusion of navigability of the Guadiana river, dominates the surrounding area keeping countless influences - Arabs, Romans, medieval... - from past times.
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Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, I.P. (ICNF, I.P.)
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Rivers and marshes
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Alentejo
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Mértola
Serpa
Identification and Access
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Access coming from:
- Beja, by IP2 towards Mértola, follow the N122/IC27 until Mértola;
- Castro Verde, following the N123, and after Alcaria Ruiva, enter N122/IC27;
- Vila Real de Santo António, head North through the N122/IC27 until Mértola; or
- Srpa follow the N265 towards São Domingos Mine and Mértola.
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Yes
What we do
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Partners of the Project Life Iberlince, that aims to allow the reintroduction of the Iberian lynx in Guadiana Valley Nature Park;
Monitoring of the Iberian lynxes (linces-ibéricos) freed in Guadiana Valley Nature Park
Census and monitoring of wild rabbit populations, as well as habitat improvement actions (shelter and food) for this species;
Reproduction actions and restocking of wild rabbit to support the great eagles - Bonelli's Eagle, Golden Eagle and Spanish Imperial Eagle - as well as restricting access to its main nesting areas;
Improvement of the black vulture habitat through installation of two feeders (Project Life lince-abutre [lynx vulture] in Portuguese);
Monitoring of fish communities and implement restoration actions of the river ecosystem, including control of exotic fish species and recovery of riparian vegetation in places where species take refuge (more information). Saramugo Action plan.
Monitoring and habitat improvement for the Great-bustard, Little-bustard and Black-bellied Sandgrouse through agreements with farmers aiming to increase leguminosae crops.
Tip
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If you wish to see the Kestrels, head over to Mértola, during the Summer, and watch them in the holes of the walls. In odd years, during May, be sure to visit the Islamic Festival in Mértola Annually, during the last week of April, enjoy the Honey, Cheese and Bread fair.
To see the fauna leave early in the morning or a bit before dusk. Bring binoculars and a camera, if you have them. Always pay attention to the weather forecast and avoid performing activities in days of much heat, rain, thunderstorm or fog. Avoid going out by yourself, but, if you do, inform an acquaintance or a local entity of your departure and return. Use simple and comfortable clothes. If you wish to take long walks make outerwear, food, water (many, mainly during the summer), sunscreen and/or a raincoat available. You can also carry a cellphone, lantern and lighter (do not start a fire and don't dispose of cigarette butts incorrectly). Take special precautions when walking in moist and rocky areas, to avoid falling and do not act in a way that might endanger yourself or others.
In case of accident contact the emergency service 112.
Supports in place
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The Park has directional and informative signage throughout all of its area.
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No
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Yes
Environmental education project "Discovering the Natural Park of the Guadiana Valley", including all primary schools and kindergartens of the Mértola county.
Workgroup for Environmental Education and Diffusion of the natural and cultural heritage of the Mértola and Serpa counties including representatives from several entities.
Statutes of Conservation
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PTCON0036 Guadiana
PTZPE0047 Vale do Guadiana (Guadiana Valley)
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RAMSAR site - ribeira do Vascão
near you
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Castro Verde: the fields around it are known as "white fields", due to the characteristic light-colored soil. It's an area of cereal production where steppe birds abound, having been classified as Castro Verde Special Protection Area for birdlife.
similar
Weather Conditions
What you can do
1. Take a boat ride on the Guadiana river to the Pomarão, in whose port was shipped to England the ore from S. Domingos mines.
2. In Mértola, after enjoying a soft drink, watch the Lesser Kestrel leaving the nest in holes in the walls.
3. If the year is odd, be a "Moorish" for a day and participate in the Islamic festival in May.
4. Alentejo plains are covered with flowers. It's time to take photos! Do one of the walking routes of the Nature Park.
5. Climb to Alcaria Serra and see the contrast landscapes between the Nature Park and Castro Verde SPA (Birds Directive Site).
6. On May and every 2 years visit the Islamic Festival in Mértola.
7. By the end of March go to Festival do Peixe do Rio (River Fish Festival) in Pomarão.
1. On the river, the old watermills and the Moinho dos Canais (Canais Mill) invite you to appreciate the proximity of water. But not bathe in this location, since the water flow is quite strong near the mills. Instead go to Tapada Grande river beach.
2. On the last weekend of August, participate in annual festivals in the Ermida de Nossa Sra. de Aracelis (Chapel of Our Lady of Aracelis), while enjoying the scenery.
3. Escape from the heat visiting the various centers of Mértola Museum.
1. In October, go to Feira da Caça (Hunting Fair) and see the hunting resources the area has to offers.
2. In late autumn, see the great eagles in its mating flights.
1. In Pulo do Lobo watch the Guadiana river, enraged, falling from a 20 m gap in height.
2. In March, it's time to try the river fish at the festival dedicated to it in Pomarão.
Best Season: Spring, Autumn and Winter
Parque Natural do Vale do Guadiana (Headquarters)
Centro Polivalente de Divulgação da Casa do Lanternim
Rua D. Sancho II, nº 15
7750–350 MÉRTOLA
Telefone: (00351) 286 612 016
Email: pnvg@icnf.pt
