Presentation
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Serra da Gardunha Regional Protected Landscape, with an area of 10,547 ha, has a high biodiversity, closely linked to its geomorphology and lithology (mainly composed of granite, surrounded by hornfels and metasedimentary units of the Complexo xisto-grauváquico (shale-graywacke complex), which conditioned the species occurrence (endemism) and land use by human populations.
Near Castelo Velho there are five granite outcrops of obvious geological value, highlighting the ‘Fraturação Poligonal’ block, ‘Bloco Fendido’ (cracked block), 'Blocos Residuais’ (Residuals blocks) and some 'Tor'.
On the north side appear chestnuts and oaks areas with the presence of an Asphodel endemic of Gardunha Asphodelus bento-rainhae. In the southern part abound heather and rockroses with communities of Thorn-cushion hedgehog-scrub Echinospartum ibericum, an Iberian endemism. The Protected Landscape has some natural habitats, highlighting the Alnion glutinoso-incanae residual alluvial forests.
Fauna includes species such as the otter Lutra lutra, the Schreiber's Green Lizard Lacerta schreiberi, the Golden-striped Salamander Chioglossa lusitanica, the fish Iberocypris alburnoides, a butterfly Euphydrya aurinia, the Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus and the Booted Eagle Aquila pennata. Also note the Beech Marten Martes foina, popularly known as 'Gardunha'.
The ancient human occupation of the region is showed by the presence of 26 archaeological sites. The architectural heritage includes numerous properties classified or being classified.
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Agência de Desenvolvimento Gardunha 21 (ADG21)
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Mountain
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Center
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Castelo Branco
Fundão
Identification and Access
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Access to Fundão:- from Castelo Branco follow the A23 take exit 28 for N18 / Fundão south and N346 / Penamacor to Fundão;- take the A23 to exit 26 toward Soalheira, after taking the N18 through Alpedrinha, Vale de Prazeres (access to this village by M239) and Fundão.Access to the northwestern part of the mountain:- Take the A23 to exit 25 (direction Lardosa / Idanha-a-Nova), take the N18 and then the M1224 through Louriçal do Campo. Near S. Vicente da Beira take the N352 and, later, the N238 (direction Fundão) passing near Souto da Casa, Aldeia Nova do Cabo and Aldeia de Joanes.
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No
Tip
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‘As conversas são como as cerejas’ (a Portuguese saying meaning 'Talks are like cherries', meaning that conversations always call for new themes of conversation, so in June, time of cherries, put to the test the saying tasting this fruit.
To observe 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 rain, thunder or fog. Avoid going to the mountain by yourself, but, if you do, inform an acquaintance or a local entity of your departure and return. Use simple and comfortable clothes. Make outerwear, food, water, sunscreen and/or a raincoat available. You can also take a cellphone and a flashlight (don't start a fire or dispose of cigarette butts incorrectly). Take special precautions when you walk through wet and rocky areas to avoid falling and do not act in a way that might endanger yourself or others. Take note that, in some places, mines are present, therefore you should not leave the existing paths and trails.
In case of an accident contact the emergency service 112.
Supports in place
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No.
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No
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Statutes of Conservation
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PTCON0028 Gardunha
near you
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Visit the 'Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela' (Natural Park of Estrela Mountain), with the highest point of Portugal (in the continent), its glacial valley ofZêzere, the granitic rocks, that resemble people, and their famous 'Queijo Serra da Estrela' ('Estrela Mountain Cheese').
Weather Conditions
What you can do
1. If you like a good cheese don't miss, in May, the Soalheira Cheese Fairy ('Feira do Queijo da Soalheira')
2. Enjoy the scenery with cherry trees in bloom in the Fundão area; participate in the discovery (Cherry Path- ‘Caminho da Cereja’) of this fruit.
3. Do one of the several walking routes in the region.
4. Meet Castelo Novo (historic village), see the pillory (Public Interest) and the lagareta (Municipal Interest Property) and flocks of Common Swift 'Apus apus', near the castle, the Blue Rock-thrush 'Monticola solitarius'. Follow the Roman road that connects this village Alpedrinha and, in the latter, try to find another swift, the Pallid Swift 'Apus pallidus'. Interesting examples of classical and popular architecture.
5. Take one of the routes, using mountain bike, promoted by Fundão Municipality.
6. On Holy Week, visit Fundão and its villages and see “Encomendação das Almas”, ear the “Ladaínhas” and take part in the in the several processions, including the Penitents, the Ecce Homo and the “Enterro do Senhor” (Burial of the Lord).
1. In June, in Fundão, participate in the Gastronomic Festival ‘Fundão, Aqui Come-se Bem - Sabores da Cereja’. In 'Cherry Festival' (‘Festa da Cereja’ ) in Alcongosta prove that tasty fruit and products produced with it; baskets made with 'esparto' or chestnut wood await your choice.
2. From 26 May to 15 July, follow the 'Path of Cherry' (‘Caminho da Cereja’).
3. At Alcongosta enjoy a panoramic view of the Gardunha (follow the signs 'Floresta'). Near the pine forest area pay attention to forest birds including tits.
4. Scroll through the Paths of Transhumance (‘Caminhos da Transumância’) 'and learn about the shepherds ancient routes.
5. Scroll through the 'Route Cherry' (‘Rota da Cereja’) and see with the flora and fauna of Gardunha mountain.
1. In the 3rd weekend of September visit the ‘Chocalhos - Festival dos Caminhos da Transumância’ ('Rattles - Festival of the Paths of Transhumance') in Alpedrinha. Be a Shepherd for a day and follow a herd.
2. At Castelo Novo, take the ‘No Caminho dos Templários’ (Path of the Templars').
3. Enjoy the rains and see the mills doing the route ‘Na Senda da Moenda’ (In the Path of Milling), beginning at Castelo Novo.
4. Enjoy the landscape 'dressed' in gold thanks to the autumnal colors of the cherry trees.
1. Mushrooms season; enjoy it in the village of Alcaide - Fundão on the occasion of 'Míscaros - Mushroom Festival'. Make a mycological walk and enjoying Gardunha's nature.
2. Enjoy the cold and rainless days to make a bike journey.
3. Near Alcongosta, follow the signs 'Floresta' (Forest) to the top of the mountain ('Casa do Guarda' - Guard's home); try to see a Eurasian Siskin 'Carduelis spinus' to feed in the pines and enjoy the landscape, sometimes covered with snow.
4. In November, participate in the ‘Raid Fotográfico da Castanha’ (Chestnut Photographic Raid).
5. The more cold and rainy weather invites to good table; enjoy the cuisine of Gardunha. Try the young goat stew 'ensopado de cabrito', chanfana and 'coroa de requeijão com mel' (curd crown with honey). Do not forget the Castelo Branco pies (empadas), soup Matacão, roast young goat ('cabrito assado'), the laburdo (dish with pork liver), 'fígado de cebolada' (liver with onions) and 'perdiz no forno' (roasted partridge). At the end of the year, due, in Fundão, the 'Festival da Tibórnia', which celebrates the olive oil in delicious 'tibórnias'. At Easter, it's time to indulge you with the 'bolo doce' (sweet cake), 'bolo de azeite' (olive oil cake), cabrito no forno (roasted lamb), o 'borreguinho com azeite, alho e alecrim' (little lamb with oil, garlic and rosemary) and 'papas de carolo de milho' (corn porridge).
6. In December, join ‘No ciclo do azeite’ (olive oil cycle).
7. Enjoy visiting one of the existing museum centers in the region, like the Núcleo Arqueológico de Castelo Novo (Castelo Novo Archaeological Centre) or the 'Centro do Visitante de Alpedrinha' (Alpedrinha Visitor Centre ).
Best Season: All year long
Paisagem Protegida Regional da Serra da Gardunha (Headquarters)
R. João Franco, 20 - 1º
6320-363 FUNDÃO
Telephone: (00351) 275 779 060
Email: gardunha21@gmail.com
