Serra do Açor e Mata da Margaraça

In the mountains of central Portugal, the Serra do Açor protects a landscape of schist villages, deep valleys and the Mata da Margaraça, one of the last relics of the ancient forests that once covered the region. It is a quiet, little-visited area of great natural value.

An ancient forest

The Mata da Margaraça is a protected forest of oaks, chestnuts and laurels, with mosses, ferns and a cool, humid atmosphere. Around it, the Serra do Açor rises above the valleys, and the schist villages — including Piódão — preserve the traditional architecture of the region.

What to see and do

• Walking trails through the Mata da Margaraça.
• The schist village of Piódão, with its terraced houses.
• Viewpoints over the Serra do Açor and its valleys.
• The rivers and waterfalls of the surrounding mountains.

Visiting the area

The Serra do Açor lies in the municipality of Arganil, in central Portugal. Access is free; because the forest is a protected reserve, stay on the trails and check local conditions before your visit.

Visitor information: icnf.pt.

Image credit: Serra do Açor, Mata da Margaraça, by RuiCiencia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.