Edition 74 - Rewilding Côa

01.05.2023 • 14.05.2023

Nature and wildlife are coming back to the Great Côa Valley in an unprecedented scale. A finest example of sustainability put into action.

Rewilding Côa Valley

The pandemic has changed the way we travel, as well as the way we perceive the planet. Travellers are now more conscious of the importance of reducing their ecological footprint, of travelling in a more balanced way, while choosing the accommodations that have adopted the best environmental practices. The new normal is indeed a return to nature, away from the crowded city centres. Away from the vertigo of speed. Center of Portugal is the place to be, since it offers many green destinations, wonderful mountains, peaceful villages with its warm-hearted inhabitants, conscious accommodations guided by thoughtful sustainable practices and inspiring natural landscapes. Sustainability leading the way in the world. Center of Portugal is no exception.

Vale Carapito, in the Greater Côa Valley, near Vilar Maior, displays a diverse mosaic of natural habitats, irrigated by the Cesarão river and the Alfaiates stream. This area situated on the plateau of the Iberian Meseta, an inland territory, has "suffered" from the abandonment of farming, domestic grazing practices and rural exodus for several decades.

Ermo das Águias

Ermo das Águias is a key area for landscape connectivity in the Greater Côa Valley. Here, Rewilding Portugal is implementing ecological restoration actions to make the Greater Côa Valley a place where natural processes and complete food chains play fundamental roles in the landscape.

Sports & Leisure

The Great Route of Côa Valley

The Great Route of Côa Valley is a magical 196 km-long route along the Côa river from the spring in Fóios in Sabugal to the river estuary in Douro River in Vila Nova de Foz Côa.

Nature & Outdoors

Faia Brava Natural Reserve

In 2010 the Faia Brava Reserve was classified by the former Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Institute (ICNB) as the first private protected area of the country and is also currently a pilot area of the European project Rewilding Europe, for the creation of wild natural areas and for the development of nature tourism in Europe.

Located in the parish of Faia, in Pinhel, near Guarda, the recently opened Faia Belvedere offers an unrivalled view over the Côa River. The perfect spot to enjoy all the speechless splendour of Côa Valley!

Beautifully located at the heart of the historical centre of Pinhel, next to the historical wall, 40 minutes away from Guarda, Entre Portas (literally translated, "between doors") is simultaneously an extraordinary restaurant and a an architectural landmark. Faia Brava Natural Reserve is located 26 minutes away from Pinhel, in the council of Cidadelhe.