Picnic Park

When using the picnic park, please collect the waste you produce and keep the space clean and pleasant for everyone.

It is forbidden to make fires or any kind of flame.
This measure is essential to ensure safety and prevent the risk of forest fires.

Maintain a responsible and respectable behaviour towards all visitors. It is important that you avoid making too much noise, in order not to disturb everyone's peace of mind.

Odelouca Dam

A Barragem de Odelouca é uma barragem de aterro.
Forma um imenso reservatório que ocupa uma área de 7,8 Km2 com 128 hm3 de capacidade útil de armazenamento.
O seu Nível Pleno de Armazenamento (NPA) é atingido aos 102 m.
Desempenha um papel essencial no fornecimento de água para abastecimento público no Barlavento Algarvio.
Deslumbre-se com uma paisagem impressionante, cercada de colinas revestidas com vegetação rica e variada.

Spring

Untested water and its consumption is not recommended.
This is one of 17 springs that we can find in this Forest, where are, for the most part, temporary. Interestingly, some are ferrous, easily identifiable by the yellow/brown colour of their water.
They are essential for filling the 4 existing water points that form: drinking fountains for different species of animals and nesting sites for Anatidae (ducks, geese and swans).

Observatory

Take the opportunity to relax and observe the landscape covered with willows, cork oaks, strawberry trees and laurentine trees. Enjoy the diversity of birdlife that plays an important role and has high ecological value for the Herdade da Parra National Forest.
From this observatory, it is possible to observe some game species, including the red partridge (Alectoris rufa), the wild pigeon (Columba oenas), the wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) and the common turtledove (Streptopelia turtur).

BONELLI's Eagle

The Bonelli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), also known as the bird eagle, is a majestic, large resident bird of prey that can be identified by its white belly that contrasts with its darker wings.
It is a species with a national conservation status of “Endangered” that nests in areas with little human disturbance, rugged and well forested, where it chooses large trees. Its presence is a sign of the existence of a healthy and balanced ecosystem. It feeds mainly on small mammals and birds, skillfully hunting in the open areas of the Herdade da Parra National Forest.

Wild Boar

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a mammal of the Suidae family and is known for its robust body, long head and sharp tusks. Given the existing conditions of habitat, behaviour and food, this species has a very reasonable number of individuals and is one of the game species of greatest interest in the Herdade da Parra National Forest.

Odelouca Reservoir

This body of water with a useful volume of more than 100 million cubic meters and an area of 7.8 km2 attracts visitors that wish to enjoy outdoor activities, such as fishing, canoeing and nature observation. The area around the dam is home to a rich diversity of waterfowl and other wildlife species, providing a unique experience for the fauna and flora lovers.

Plant Life

The Tree heather (Erica arborea L.), Lavandula luisieri (Seville lavender) and Laurentine (Viburnum tinus) are just some of the flora species you will find in the Herdade da Parra National Forest.
They all play an important role in maintaining the local ecosystem, and their flowers attract pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies, which contribute to the area’s biodiversity.

Deer

The red deer (Cervus elaphus), is the largest deer in Portugal (second largest in Europe). Their fur is reddish-brown during summer and dark brown in winter. They are known for the branched antlers on their heads. The species was introduced here in 1986 (7 specimens) and, given the existing conditions of habitat, behaviour and food, it currently has a very reasonable number of individuals, being one of the game species with the greatest interest of the Herdade da Parra National Forest. To watch them it's a unique experience!

Red Partridge

The Red Partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a medium-sized resident bird, with brownish-grey plumage on the dorsal area and reddish on the ventral area.
It has a colourful and unmistakable pattern on the head. It is one of the game species and lives mainly in areas of shrub vegetation and undergrowth. In the Herdade da Parra National Forest, the Red Partridge can be seen in open areas, such as clearings and rocky areas. Its characteristic song is a charming sonic contribution to the natural environment.

Trail

Explore the Trail

Nature

Species you can find