Varanda dos Carqueijais (viewpoint)
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Enjoy a magnificent panorama of the depression of Cova da Beira. At the bottom of Estrela's slope, the city of Covilhã extends to the flat surface where it rises. As in the north side, next to Seia, here too Estrela mountain rises by an abrupt that corresponds to a fault of great extension that, according to the model of formation of this mountain range, marks the beginning of the elevation.
In the background, stands out Gardunha mountain, also a protected area with a similar origin as Estrela.
Varanda means balcony. Carqueijais means place with “carquejas” (the Portuguese name for Pterospartum tridentatum), a shrub of yellow flowers used in traditional medicine, being the photosynthesis done in the stems, since the leaves are extremely small. It is an adaption to dryness and wind, to avoid loss of water.
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Enjoy a magnificent panorama of the depression of Cova da Beira. At the bottom of Estrela's slope, the city of Covilhã extends to the flat surface where it rises. As in the north side, next to Seia, here too Estrela mountain rises by an abrupt that corresponds to a fault of great extension that, according to the model of formation of this mountain range, marks the beginning of the elevation.
In the background, stands out Gardunha mountain, also a protected area with a similar origin as Estrela.
Varanda means balcony. Carqueijais means place with “carquejas” (the Portuguese name for Pterospartum tridentatum), a shrub of yellow flowers used in traditional medicine, being the photosynthesis done in the stems, since the leaves are extremely small. It is an adaption to dryness and wind, to avoid loss of water.
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Centro
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Covilhã
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Serra da Estrela Nature Park
Identification and Access
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No
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Access from:
- Covilhã (± 8 km) – N339.
GPS: 40.291143, -7.527416
Base Characterization
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Go up to Piornos (on the same road) and enjoy the view.
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Touristic
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Public
