Approved Path - Camping and Mountaineering Federation of Portugal
Route
Its strong rural character, the heritage found throughout the entire trail, and the biodiversity present along its full length make the Queixoperra Route a particularly pleasant walk. In addition to the many springs and fountains, streams, and open landscapes with wide views, the Poço das Talhas watermills alone are reason enough to undertake this route.
Framed within the Union of Parishes of Mação, Aboboreira and Penhascoso, the entire trail is covered by mobile network, and is equipped with an emergency and rescue plan, including clearly identified SOS emergency beacons, ensuring the safety of walkers at all times.
Natural Heritage
Across valleys and hills, walkers may encounter specimens of the cornalheira, a small tree that has become rare in the municipality, as well as cork oaks and strawberry trees, among other native species. Along the banks of the streams, shrubs such as butcher’s broom and ivy thrive, while in pine forest areas species such as gorse, broom, and myrtle are more common.
Birdlife is particularly notable: species such as the booted eagle, the short‑toed eagle, and the Eurasian golden oriole, which nests here during the warmer months, are frequently observed by hikers. In fact, the region hosts a wide variety of wildlife, including numerous insect species. Among them, special mention should be made of the strawberry tree butterfly and the Spanish festoon, along with many other species.
Cultural Heritage
Regarding built heritage, highlights include the Travessa do Encalhão, reminiscent of the narrow streets of Portugal’s famous schist villages; the Poço das Talhas area, with its carefully restored historic watermills, where cereal grinding can still be observed today; the small Cabril Dam; the old Fonte de Mergulho, and the Fonte do Ribeiro, among other features.
Beyond the extensive heritage present along the Queixoperra Route, visitors can observe a wide variety of landscape types and ecosystems typical of this geographical area. Finally, the route also stands out for its geological diversity, with particular emphasis on the Marmitas das Azenhas (a designated geosite) and the fossil tracks found in the Serra do Carvalhal.