Botanic expedition to the Greater Côa Valley
The Côa river represents a significant fluvial corridor, with about 140km of extension. From the source, in the Serra das Mesas (Sabugal), to the mouth, in the Douro River (Vila Nova de Foz Côa), this river crosses the plateau area of the Beira Interior, which corresponds to the end of the Iberian Meseta. Its natural landscape has recovered in recent decades, and there are now large tracts of young oak trees (Pyrenean Oak), among with natural meadows and ash tree groves. Consequently, wildlife has returned to or strengthened its presence in this territory, with large herbivores such as the Red deer and the Roe deer standing out. This landscape is formed by a great diversity of mediterranean plants, including several Iberian endemisms. Along the region crossed by the Côa, the landscapes consist of clusters of Pyrenean Oak (Quercus pyrenaica), some Chestnut trees (Castanea sativa), Holm oaks (Quercus rotundifolia) and scrubland. These are interspersed with open areas in the lower areas, usually mudflats and fresh meadows delimited by lines of ash trees. On the plateau, some areas are also partitioned by walls and small hedges, where some cattle are still grazing. This diversity of environments allows the occurrence of a great variety of plants, some of them of restricted distribution to the Iberian Peninsula, such as the small and apparently fragile Linaria saxatilis, the White Broom (Cytisus multiflorus), the Spanish Foxglove (Digitalis thapsi), the iberian snapdragon Antirrhinum graniticum, the Ornithogalum concinnum and the beautiful Iberian Peony (Paeonia broteri).
Details
- Country🇵🇹 Portugal
- Approved by Rewilding Europe and member of a rewilding businesses network?Yes, and member of the Wild Côa Network - Portugal
Programme
In this activity we will mainly explore the rewilding areas of the Greater Côa Valley, in order to appreciate the evolution of the landscape and the Mediterranean botanical diversity. We'll be travelling by car in order to explore a greater diversity of sites. The sites will be explored on foot.
What's Included?
The price of the activity includes specialized guide, local transportation, fee for nature conservation, insurance, all permits. Type of activity: visit on vehicle, but including several stops for short exploration walks.
How your experience helps rewilding efforts
Our activities seek to publicise the natural heritage of the rewilding areas and the actions that have been carried out in favour of restoring the landscape and the ecosystems of the Greater Côa Valley. A percentage of our profits is donated to support rewilding initiatives in the Greater Côa Valley, through our partner Rewilding Portugal.
Seasonal Availability
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Languages spoken
- English
- Portuguese
Group size
Maximum of 4 participants. For other conditions, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meeting point: place to be agreed Duration: half day / full day Recommended period: from early April till mid June. The activity may include a picnic, with an extra cost.
Location
Reviews (0)
About the listing author
WILDLIFE PORTUGAL is a small travel agency and tourism operator company based in the central interior of Portugal, specialising in the promotion and implementation of nature tourism activities. With in-depth knowledge of Portugal’s natural values, we seek to publicise and promote this wealth through nature tourism activities, arousing our clients’ curiosity about these aspects and making them aware of the importance of conserving this heritage. Our specific nature observation, photography and interpretation activities are often combined with the walking routes we take, making them an enriching experience from a physical, psychological and cognitive point of view. Operating in Portugal, we organise specific tours for nature observation and interpretation (birds and mammals, insects, botany, reptiles and amphibians, geology, etc.). We are trained and properly accredited to organise visits to the rewilding areas of the Greater Côa Valley. We also organise a number of wildlife photography tours. In this sense, through a collaborative partnership with Rewilding Portugal, we are managing a series of wildlife photographic hides in the rewilding areas of the Greater Côa Valley. In addition to the natural heritage, we try to highlight the cultural, historical and gastronomic values that differentiate the territories where we operate. WILDLIFE PORTUGAL is a member of the Wild Côa Network and is helping to make the Greater Côa Valley a more natural and wilder place, valuing and promoting the coexistence of natural values with local communities and traditional practices. WILDLIFE PORTUGAL has the support and backing of the Rewilding Europe Foundation, a Europe-wide initiative whose mission is to promote the creation of more spaces for wildlife and to develop nature tourism in these areas. Licensed by Turismo de Portugal, with RNAVT 12577 and RNAAT 369/2025 registrations, WILDLIFE PORTUGAL also has a Nature Tourism certificate and is a NATURAL.PT member, as we have chosen the National Network of Protected Areas for most of our activities, as it is in these natural spaces that we find the most significant values of our natural heritage.
WILDLIFE PORTUGAL is a small travel agency and tourism operator company based in the central interior of Portugal, specialising in the promotion and implementation of nature tourism activities. With in-depth knowledge of Portugal’s natural values, we seek to publicise and promote this wealth through nature tourism activities, arousing our clients’ curiosity about these aspects and making them aware of the importance of conserving this heritage. Our specific nature observation, photography and interpretation activities are often combined with the walking routes we take, making them an enriching experience from a physical, psychological and cognitive point of view. Operating in Portugal, we organise specific tours for nature observation and interpretation (birds and mammals, insects, botany, reptiles and amphibians, geology, etc.). We are trained and properly accredited to organise visits to the rewilding areas of the Greater Côa Valley. We also organise a number of wildlife photography tours. In this sense, through a collaborative partnership with Rewilding Portugal, we are managing a series of wildlife photographic hides in the rewilding areas of the Greater Côa Valley. In addition to the natural heritage, we try to highlight the cultural, historical and gastronomic values that differentiate the territories where we operate. WILDLIFE PORTUGAL is a member of the Wild Côa Network and is helping to make the Greater Côa Valley a more natural and wilder place, valuing and promoting the coexistence of natural values with local communities and traditional practices. WILDLIFE PORTUGAL has the support and backing of the Rewilding Europe Foundation, a Europe-wide initiative whose mission is to promote the creation of more spaces for wildlife and to develop nature tourism in these areas. Licensed by Turismo de Portugal, with RNAVT 12577 and RNAAT 369/2025 registrations, WILDLIFE PORTUGAL also has a Nature Tourism certificate and is a NATURAL.PT member, as we have chosen the National Network of Protected Areas for most of our activities, as it is in these natural spaces that we find the most significant values of our natural heritage.
Botanic expedition to the Greater Côa Valley
Botanic expedition to the Greater Côa Valley
€215.00