Paisagem Protegida da Serra de Açor

The Serra do Açor, along with the Serra da Estrela and the Serra da Lousã, forms the group of mountain ranges that practically divide Portugal in half. Partly covered by pine forests, the mountain range, located within the municipality of Arganil, hides details of rare beauty. The Mata da Margaraça is an example of this scenic beauty, constituting one of the rare examples of natural vegetation on the schist slopes of the country's center. Species such as chestnut, oak, laurel, and some holly and laurel trees make up the flora of this protected landscape area. In terms of fauna, we can highlight the Lusitanian salamander and the Iberian water lizard. The abrupt valleys, which hide watercourses flowing towards the Ceira and Alva rivers, are conducive to waterfalls. In this sense, we must highlight the fantastic Fraga da Penha waterfall.