CYCLE "DISCOVERING THE NORTHEAST OF TRÁS-OS-MONTES" - MONTESINHO NATURAL PARK
JUNE 13, 2026
CYCLE "DISCOVERING THE NORTHEAST OF TRÁS-OS-MONTES" - MONTESINHO NATURAL PARK
The Montesinho Natural Park, established in 1979, is one of Portugal’s largest protected areas—a place where nature and rural life coexist in perfect harmony, featuring unique landscapes and abundant biodiversity, a true “Wonderful Kingdom.”
Come and discover the nature, landscape, and heritage of this park at a time of year when life is at its most vibrant and colorful!
Free activity, but registration is required.
Come and discover the nature, landscape, and heritage of this park at a time of year when life is at its most vibrant and colorful!
Free activity, but registration is required.
REGISTRATION
To register, please fill out the form below.
The registration deadline is June 11, 2026.
On June 12, 2026, you will receive an email confirming your participation in the event.
The registration deadline is June 11, 2026.
On June 12, 2026, you will receive an email confirming your participation in the event.
ITINERARY AND PROGRAM
The border, the river, the landscape, and a thriving biodiversity
On this route, our “guiding lines” will be the wild border with Spain and the Maçãs River, which stretch through breathtaking geography and landscapes marked by rocky outcrops, native forests, marshes, riparian galleries, and flower-filled meadows, where biodiversity thrives and reveals itself at every turn.
Deer, roe deer, wild boar, Montagu's harrier, wolves, otters, golden eagles, black storks, Northern wheatears… who will surprise us? Rockrose, broom, heather, Strawberry tree, Pyrenean oak, holm oak, alder… which lush corner will draw us in the most?
Come on and let yourself be immersed in wild nature!
Start 9:00 a.m. Quintanilha Village (41.751010, -6.569038)
Next to Café Pitinha
End (estimated) 5:00 p.m. (at the starting point)
Trail difficulty level: moderate (14.6 km – loop)
Terrain: dirt and rocks/mountain hike
Elevation (min. - max.): 540 - 759 meters
Recommendations
Participants should bring appropriate, comfortable, and low-profile clothing and footwear; sunscreen; water; and, if available, binoculars.
Bring a packed lunch and snacks.
On this route, our “guiding lines” will be the wild border with Spain and the Maçãs River, which stretch through breathtaking geography and landscapes marked by rocky outcrops, native forests, marshes, riparian galleries, and flower-filled meadows, where biodiversity thrives and reveals itself at every turn.
Deer, roe deer, wild boar, Montagu's harrier, wolves, otters, golden eagles, black storks, Northern wheatears… who will surprise us? Rockrose, broom, heather, Strawberry tree, Pyrenean oak, holm oak, alder… which lush corner will draw us in the most?
Come on and let yourself be immersed in wild nature!
Start 9:00 a.m. Quintanilha Village (41.751010, -6.569038)
Next to Café Pitinha
End (estimated) 5:00 p.m. (at the starting point)
Trail difficulty level: moderate (14.6 km – loop)
Terrain: dirt and rocks/mountain hike
Elevation (min. - max.): 540 - 759 meters
Recommendations
Participants should bring appropriate, comfortable, and low-profile clothing and footwear; sunscreen; water; and, if available, binoculars.
Bring a packed lunch and snacks.
REQUIREMENTS
Participants
Minimum – 5
Maximum – 15
Insurance
This activity requires a payment of 5 euros for personal accident insurance (optional).
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you will be required to sign a liability waiver.
NOTE
Palombar reserves the right to cancel or modify the activity program if weather conditions are not suitable for the activity or if the minimum number of registered participants is not met.
Minimum – 5
Maximum – 15
Insurance
This activity requires a payment of 5 euros for personal accident insurance (optional).
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you will be required to sign a liability waiver.
NOTE
Palombar reserves the right to cancel or modify the activity program if weather conditions are not suitable for the activity or if the minimum number of registered participants is not met.
ABOUT THE GUIDES
João Santos
Conservation and research technician at Palombar, with a Ph.D. in Biology and extensive experience in the study and monitoring of wild ungulates in the Montesinho Natural Park, where he has been conducting research for over a decade. He was also a member of the team for the latest National Census of the Iberian Wolf (2019–2021) in the Northeast Transmontano region.
Américo Guedes
Conservation technician at Palombar, specializing in ornithology (birdlife) and with experience in mycology.
Conservation and research technician at Palombar, with a Ph.D. in Biology and extensive experience in the study and monitoring of wild ungulates in the Montesinho Natural Park, where he has been conducting research for over a decade. He was also a member of the team for the latest National Census of the Iberian Wolf (2019–2021) in the Northeast Transmontano region.
Américo Guedes
Conservation technician at Palombar, specializing in ornithology (birdlife) and with experience in mycology.
ABOUT THE CYCLE
The ‘Discovering the Northeast of Trás-os-Montes’ Cycle aims to showcase the natural wealth of this region and is divided into three routes, each taking place in a location of significant ecological importance and rich natural heritage. The activity consists of an interpretive walk, during which participants are encouraged to engage directly with the landscape and its biodiversity, and made aware of the importance of conserving it to ensure a sustainable future for the region, whilst also focusing on the well-being and revitalisation of local communities. The walks take place in areas of the Natura 2000 network, specifically in the International Douro Natural Park, the Sabor and Maçãs Rivers Special Area of Conservation, and the Montesinho Natural Park.