What better way to discover rewilding than by living it directly?

As the sun begins its descent behind Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in inland Portugal, you’ll find yourself atop a remote viewpoint surrounded by silence, space, and sweeping 360º views. But this is more than a picnic: it’s a quiet celebration of a landscape in recovery. Your journey begins two hours before sunset with a gentle 4x4 climb through a region where nature is reclaiming its ground. The experience unfolds in a village once called Vale do Lobo (Wolf Valley), a name that whispers the past presence of the Iberian wolf, a keystone species now the focus of ongoing conservation efforts led by organizations like Rewilding Portugal. As you ascend, your guide shares stories of the landscape’s transformation: from human abandonment to passive rewilding, and the challenges of restoring ecological balance without key species like wild herbivores. This is a living example of how ecosystems respond slowly, silently when given space to breathe again. At the top, a locally sourced picnic awaits, filled with flavours from nearby farms and producers. This experience supports a circular economy that values small-scale production and sustainability - a social counterpart to the ecological renewal unfolding all around you. As twilight deepens, you might spot the first stars appearing overhead! and if you’re lucky, even a few shooting across the sky. And somewhere out there, in the folds of this recovering wilderness, the wolf might once again be finding its way home.

Program

- 2hrs before sunset time: Arrival and start of the activity; - Small tour inside the village of Vale da Senhora da Póvoa; - Climb to the top of the viewpoint by 4x4 (1h); - Set up and enjoy the picnic, while the sun sets; - Stay for as long as you like, pack everything back again and head down. Total: 4hrs +

What's Included?

- Guiding service - A drive towards the viewpoint - Picnic with local products - Great views

How your experience helps rewilding efforts

This experience supports rewilding by raising environmental awareness and introducing participants to the local landscape and the work of organizations like Rewilding Portugal. By creating space for reflection and feedback (both anonymous and signed) we gather valuable voices that help advocate for keeping this area wild. This collective input strengthens the case against developments such as new wind farms that could threaten the ecological integrity of the region.

Rewilding landscape

Rewilding vision

The Greater Cõa Valley | Portugal

The return of wildlife—including Iberian wolves, Iberian ibex, red deer, and roe deer— is leading to more naturally balanced populations. Blending these natural gains with traditional local practices, heritage, and products has fostered new economic opportunities and a renewed sense of regional pride.

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