Serra de São Mamede Natural Park

The Serra de São Mamede Natural Park is a protected area of the mountains of north-eastern Alentejo, created on 14 April 1989 by Decree-Law 121/89, in the municipalities of Portalegre, Castelo de Vide, Marvão and Arronches. Its highest point, the São Mamede peak at 1,025 metres, is the highest point in Portugal south of the Tagus.

The park was created with 31,750 hectares, and later sources give an area of about 56,000 hectares. With about 30,000 inhabitants, it is described as the most inhabited protected area in Portugal.

Nature in the Serra de São Mamede

Mountains: four heights, Fria, Marvão, Castelo de Vide and São Mamede, the highest, which rise from the Alentejo plain and continue into the Sierra de San Pedro in Spain.
Climate: the height of the range creates more rain and humidity, and lower temperatures, than in the plain around it.
Plants: about 800 plant species, with cork oak, Pyrenean oak and chestnut woods.
Animals: deer, wild boar, otters and birds of prey such as griffon vultures.
Rivers: streams of the Tagus and Guadiana basins, the main ones being the Sever and the Xévora.

Places in the Serra de São Mamede

São Mamede peak: the summit at 1,025 metres, with a view towards the Serra da Estrela and Spanish Extremadura.
Marvão: the walled village on a granite crest inside the park.
Villages: Castelo de Vide, Alegrete and Esperança, among other villages of the range.

History of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park

14 April 1989: Decree-Law 121/89 creates the natural park.

Visiting the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park

Walking: marked walking trails cross the range between villages.
Birdwatching: the range is a place to watch birds of prey and migrating birds.
Management: the park is managed by the ICNF with the four municipalities.