Approved Path - Camping and Mountaineering Federation of Portugal
Route
The Brejo and Bando dos Santos Route unfolds along the Bando Mountain Range and passes through several surrounding villages, namely Castelo, Corgas Fundeira e Cimeira, and Chão do Brejo, the latter currently abandoned. From start to finish, this trail offers magnificent views and memorable experiences.
With the Brejo Picnic Park as its central point, hikers can plan their itinerary according to their interests, benefiting from multiple alternatives to the main route, each with its own distinct charm. Regardless of the option chosen, visitors will always encounter unique biodiversity, valuable cultural heritage, and several sites of geological interest.
So, without reservation, take the time to enjoy the blue‑toned mountain landscapes!
Natural Heritage
These mountain landscapes are predominantly composed of maritime pine and eucalyptus forests, but also include communities of cork oak and strawberry tree, among others. Shrub vegetation is dominated by heathers, broom, mastic trees, and common centaury, with its delicate blue flowers. Depending on the time of year, several species of bulb plants and wild orchids may also be observed.
In certain sections of the trail, and depending on the season, it is possible to spot wildlife such as the red fox, booted eagle, badger, common wood pigeon, Spanish festoon butterfly, common blue butterfly, woodlark, crag martin, and Dartford warbler. Other animals may easily go unnoticed right beneath the hiker’s feet, such as the Iberian tarantula (Lycosa hispanica) or the fire salamander.
In the surroundings of, or directly at, the lagoon—which surprises walkers with its location, size, and beauty—birds such as the mallard and the grey heron can also be observed.
The geodiversity of this route is remarkable. In addition to fossil traces in the form of vertical and horizontal tubes, sometimes sinuous, found at the lowest point along the crest line of the Bando dos Santos ridge, numerous rock folds of varied shapes can be observed. It is therefore not surprising that fossils are abundant here, particularly graptolites and mollusks.
Cultural Heritage
The cultural heritage observable along this route is extremely rich, with some elements dating back tens of thousands of years. From the Lagoa do Bando, a site with unique characteristics throughout the entire Tagus Valley—where 371 artifacts dated to the Middle Paleolithic were recovered (studies indicate it functioned as a hunting and carcass‑processing site)—to the Bando dos Santos Viewpoint, located at 500 meters above sea level, the guiding principle is simple: enjoy the journey.
But there is more. The Buraca do Serpe site, occupied since the Paleolithic and believed to have functioned in complement to the Lagoa do Bando hunting grounds; the Hermitage of St. Gens, encountered on the descent; the surrounding villages, with their water channels and traditional water‑management structures; and the small waterfalls that embellish this mountain area all make the Brejo and Bando dos Santos Route a true delight.
Local tradition refers to this as a blessed, fertile, and generous land, protected by St. Gens since time immemorial. According to legend, this entire area was devastated by a great wildfire many years ago, except for the summit where the hermitage now stands. Curious villagers climbed the hill to understand why and discovered an image of St. Gens on a small stone slab. Believing that the saint had miraculously spared that part of the mountain, they carried the image to the Chapel of St. Matthew, where it was placed—only to disappear the following day. After further searching, the image was once again found on the same slab and returned to the chapel, from where it again vanished. It was then decided to build the Hermitage of St. Gens, which has since become a place of worship, with an annual pilgrimage in January.
According to parish records, the 1755 earthquake caused damage to the Parish Church of Mação as well as to the foundations of the Hermitage of St. Gens, confirming it as a centuries‑old structure.