Presentation

About Protected Area
Montesinho Natural Park (74.229 ha), on the Cold Lands of Trás os Montes, is characterized by the sobriety of its landscape with smooth slopes with rounded heads divided by embedded river valleys.

Dominance of shale, spots of limestone in plateau areas and granite on the Montesinho mountain.

Oak woods, extensive cover of broom, heather and rockrose woods, riverside vegetation, natural meadows (marshes) and rainfed cultures.

Varied bird fauna (more than 120 nesting birds), presence of 70% of all the land animal species that exist in Portugal highlighting one of the most important populations of Iberian wolf. The icthyofauna i(fishes) ncludes the Barb, Nase, Ide and Trout.

The taste of rurality is enhanced by the presence of community ovens and forges, windmills and wine presses... Countless examples of popular architecture in what relates to habitation and daily life (dovecotes, windmills, community forges...) The Montesinho Natural Park is also a repository for old traditions that are present even today on festive occasions.
Management entity:
Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, I.P. (ICNF, I.P.)
Habitat
Mountain
Region
North
Counties
Bragança

Vinhais

Tip
Climb to the keep of Bragança's Castle and stretch your sight over a succession of hills rolling towards Spain. Don't forget to wander through the chestnut groves, emblematic spaces of the Trás-os Montes north east and don't miss the Sausage Fair of Vinhais.

Signage
The Park has directional and informative signage throughout all of its area.
Universal Accessibility
No
School Programs
Yes

Activities and field trips only by previous booking.

Visit the Protected Landscape of "Albufeira do Azibo": wetland with several birds and fish species, agricultural fields in its surroundings and several equipments. Know more: geral@cm-macedodecavaleiros.pt ou azibo.mmacedo@telepac.pt.
Visit the historic part of Bragança. The development of the city took place, first in space surrounded by walls, traditionally called the Citadel, where two of the most emblematic buildings of the city: the Watchtower; and the enigmatic Domus Municipalis. (Bragança municipality Site).
Vinhais Biological Park: located in Prada Forest Nursery (Coroa Sierra Forest Perimeter), 3 km from the center of Vinhais, has several equipments.
Museu do Abade de Baçal: in the center of Bragança, this museum houses important archaeological, ethnographic, religious art and furniture collections... which are an excellent introduction to the peculiarities of transmontana land.