[Portugal] Montesinho Natural Park

It is one of the wildest regions in Europe that has meant a range of rare species are still able to survive here including wolves, wild boars, otters, wildcats and around 150 species of birds including eagles. The granite topped mountains are covered in heather with the lower lying areas cloaked in oak forests and grassland through which several rivers flow through the mountain valleys. The mountains are made up of both calcareous rock and granite outcrops at the highest elevations. The woodlands dominated by Pyrenean oak and chestnut are some of the most extensive woodlands and best conserved of its kind in Europe. You can see the best examples of this woodland type in the central area of the park. Alder, willow and ash are more dominant in the low lying riparian areas and birch is most commonly found at the higher
altitudes. Holm oak dominated woodland is also found in the lower altitudes of the park with rare plants such as wild jasmine, white willow, peony (Paeonia broteri) and mock privet (Phillyrea angustifolia).

Montesinho Natural Park stretches for 70,000 hectares from the extreme north east of Portugal abutting the Spanish border across to the north west of Vinhais. Mountain range reach 1,481 metres in altitude. The main access points into the Park are from Braganca along the N103-1 road and Vinhais along the N316 road. The eastern section of the Park is the only bit that is accessible by public transport. Buses run north from Braganca along the N103-1 to the quiet village of Franca and on to Portelo. Before reaching Portelo you can take a divert to the west to the spectacularly sited Montesinho on the border with Spain. Another regular bus service runs northeast from Braganca to the medieval village of Rio de Onor.

If you have your own transport you can explore the whole park, including the more remote western section, which is crossed by several scenic routes. From the traditional Montesinho village of Vinhais you can see spectacular panoramic views of the Park. Horse-riding and mountain bike hire can be organised locally.