Located within the Serra do Açor Protected Landscape Area, near the village of Benfeita, Fraga da Pena is a kind of miniature replica of Poço do Inferno in the Serra da Estrela mountain range. As the waters of the Barroca das Degrainhas stream flow towards the Ribeira da Mata stream, they encounter a drop of more than 20 meters, forming a waterfall and, below, a small lagoon. The rock formation is entirely covered in moss and surrounded by vegetation. The temperature there, even in summer, is extraordinarily low.
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 …
It belongs to the Old Massif, located in the central country, and it is separated from the Estrela Mountain by the Alva river valley. It is 33 km long and 12 km wide. A part of the Protected Landscape of the Açor Hill, it is mostly composed of schist and has strong but roundish contours. At times there are valleys, water courses and interesting places, such as the waterfalls at Fraga da Pena. In this protected area, also a special note to the Margaraça Woods, of huge natural value, a part of the european network of biogenetic reservations. The vegetation …
The Alva is a tributary of the Mondego river. It has its spring on the southwest of the Estrela mountain and flows to the Mondego river, by Porto de Raiva.
