PR4 CVD Percurso da barragem da Póvoa

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The construction of Póvoa Dam (1927) created a water surface of 236 hectares, this pathway will allow us to accompany in part of its perimeter. Starting at the Service Area for Motor Caravans, we soon come across to the Necropolis of Boa Morte (Good Death), an indication that the territory is rich in archaeological sites. At the dam wall entrance we make a detour to visit the area downstream, finding a water mill and a rural shelter (chafurdão), evidences of old rural constructions and of the activities carried out here. At the end of the wall we follow the path along the line corresponding to the maximum water storage level of the dam. As we pass close to the municipal road, we come across in its verge a well-preserved anthropomorphic grave. We remain along the verge of the road to the point where a bird observatory awaits us. It is time to take the binoculars from the backpacks. From here, we leave the reservoir a little ways in order to cross an area of oak forest where the granite appears in outcroppings, in loose boulders or in crudely stacked stone walls. The last part of the path is in unpaved dirt roads, ending at a second observatory where we can take the opportunity to say goodbye to the dam and its birdlife. NATURE: special emphasis on waterfowl. At this reservoir we may see the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), the little egret (Egretta garzetta), the grey heron (Ardea cinerea), the little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius) and the common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos). HANDICRAFT: embroideries; talegos (bags embroidered with linen); art of working wrought iron, wood, cork and horn (miniatures); tiles; and weaving. GASTRONOMY: sarapatel; cachafrito; molhinhos in tomato sauce; alhada of dogfish; liver, Castelo de Vide style; pezinhos of coriander; sausages. Sweets (boleima, broas of honey, enxovalhada – an Easter tradition -, cottage cheese cheesecake).