Route on International Tagus

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Itinerary: Castelo Branco – Lentiscais e cais - Malpica do Tejo e cais – Monforte da Beira – Rosmaninhal – Segura e ponte sobre o Erges - Salvaterra do Extremo - Canhão fluvial do rio Erges e castelo de Peñafiel - Ponte da Monheca e muros apiários - Castelo Branco In the transition between Beira Baixa and Alentejo, this Nature Park covers the border section of the river Tagus and its tributaries, namely the Erges to the east and the Pônsul to the west. Considered one of the most important in Europe, Tejo Internacional Nature Park (PNTI) has a rich natural heritage due to its biodiversity still well preserved. The vegetation includes cork oaks and holm oaks groves (the last ones are more resistant to dryness than cork oaks) and galleries of willows along the rivers. It is also possible to observe some Pyrenean oaks (Quercus pyrenaica). It can reach 25 to 30 m in height and its trimmed gray leaves only fall after the tree is already covered by new ones. The tree top is ovoid, becoming wider and rounded with age. The fruit is an acorn with 1.5 to 4.5 cm in length. This species is used in cooperage, carpentry and carpentry. In some places, it is possible to observe low-lying shrubs on extremely poor skeletal soils of shale, dominated by French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and here is a locality named Rosmaninhal (meaning area with Lavender). This aromatic species blooms from February to July, and is sometimes used for ornamental purposes and its exceptionally honey-like characteristics allow the production of rosemary honey. This itinerary passes on an important nesting area for birds, including the Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata), the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), and the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), all protected species. It also shelters Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) populations, a rare species in Portugal (in the area there is a village called Cegonhas meaning Storks). Among the mammals, are the European Otter (Lutra lutra), the Wild Cat (Felis silvestris), the Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) and the Common Genet (Genetta genetta), some endangered, coexisting in harmony with villages. Some of the species found in this Nature Park only come to Portugal during the Spring/Summer season, like the Egyptian Vulture, so you can’t see it all year. The Bonelli's Eagle, the Golden Eagle and the Egyptian Vulture are endangered species. The Black Stork and the Wildcat are both vulnerable. Prehistoric, Roman, medieval traces and Classified Heritage (such as dolmen, old pillories and churches) are possible to observe in the region attesting the human presence here for centuries. Traditions, remembering the military orders of cavalry (Order of the Temple and Order of Christ), like the feast of St. John the Baptist in Rosmaninhal, still persist in the region, as well as the remains of old apiary walls that once protected the beehives and the honey from animals like the brown bear (now extinct in Portugal). In several places there are pedestrian paths for you to better know the region and enjoy the beautiful landscapes, with the Tagus river always as a framework.