Serra da Estrela Natural Park

Serra da Estrela Natural Park (Portuguese: Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela) is in Central Portugal. It contains mainland Portugal's tallest mountain peak and the country's only ski resort.

Understand


The park is situated in the largest mountain range in Portugal, the Serra da Estrela (SEH-rruh duh sh-TRIHL-uh, /ˈsɛ.ʁɐ dɐ ʃ.ˈtɾe.ɫɐ/, "Star Mountain"), and is the source of the rivers Mondego, Zêzere (tributary of the Tagus), and Alva. The park is the largest natural conservation area in Portugal and occupies about. More than half of its area is located above an altitude of. At, it contains the highest peak in Continental Portugal (named Torre) and a ski resort.

Throughout the park, a traditional mountain economy is practised, centred on agriculture, raising sheep and goats, and the manufacture of Queijo Serra da Estrela  cheese. The craftsmanship of the region is expressed in basket work using chestnut and wicker, weaving, embroidered cotton and smoked produce.

The park's land falls within the former provinces of Beira Alta and Beira Baixa in six municipalities: Celorico da Beira, Covilhã, Gouveia, Guarda, Manteigas, and Seia.

Flora and fauna
The region is known for the cão da Serra da Estrela dog, one of the oldest breeds on the Iberian Peninsula. They are bred to guard flocks of ovelha da Serra da Estrela sheep that produce the queijo da serra da Estrela cheese.

Get in

 * The A 23 motorway (Autoestrada da Beira Interior) serves nearby Covilhã with access from Torres Novas, Entroncamento, Abrantes, Castelo Branco, Fundão, and Guarda.
 * The A 25 motorway (Autoestrada das Beiras Litoral e Alta, IP 5) serves nearby Celorico da Beira and Guarda with access from Ílhavo, Viseu, and Vilar Formoso (at the Spanish border).
 * N 16 skirts the park to the northeast and provides access from Aveiro, Viseu, and the border town of Vilar Formoso.
 * N 17 skirts the northwestern edge of the park, serving Seia, Gouveia, and Celorico da Beira with access from Coimbra.

Fees and permits
There are no fees or permits required to visit the park.

Get around
Several minor national roads cross the park, skirt its edges, or connect with surrounding towns, including N 230, N 231, N 232, N 338, and N 339.

Go next

 * Belmonte
 * Covilhã
 * Gouveia
 * Guarda