The Mata da Margaraça is a place of unrivalled beauty located in the municipality of Arganil and Coimbra.
Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. PortugalThe Mata da Margaraça stands out for the activities it offers the whole family, such as hiking for children and adults alike. The communion with nature in this place is comforting and relaxing, with the possibility of developing trails in a very well organised space and enjoying the sounds that nature offers.
It is classified as a Nature Reserve and Biogenetic Reserve by Council of EuropeThis contributes to the Mata da Margaraça being one of the best preserved areas of primeval forest in Portugal, which in this case serves as cover for areas deeply marked by the presence of a metamorphic rock of great identity in this part of the country, shale.
We mustn't let this opportunity pass without emphasising the importance of this area being classified as a biogenetic reserve. In fact, this concept has to do with the fact that this is a protected area with levels of biological organisation, ranging from species to ecosystems, passing through populations and communities with unique characteristics. This fact alone justifies the importance of this forest.
Once again referring to the species that can be found here, it is worth highlighting the oak, chestnut, holly, elm, walnut and cherry trees, which give a placid bucolic charm to walks in this area. These excursions are also noteworthy for the possibility of visiting the small museum centre of the Eira Housea real delight.
This is one of the places that is currently considered to be one of the most remarkable deciduous forests in Portugal, which grows on a hillside between 600 and 850 metres above sea level, with rare treasures of great natural and heritage value. We can highlight several of these, including several species of orchid, some of them quite rare, which are sheltered in this forest.
It's worth finding out a bit more about these plants, which are one of the most popular species worldwide for adding beauty to natural spaces. In nature, orchids can grow in association with trees, although this doesn't mean a relationship of parasitism, but rather a way of obtaining light. They are called epiphytic plants, meaning that they only use other trees for support and not to obtain nutrients.
The natural heritage here has an extraordinary charm, since Mata da Margaraça is part of a mountain range that is in its natural state and very well preserved. The wild state in which it is possible to identify some species is an example of this, making it clear that this is a little-explored situation, which has kept for our gaze rarities that are difficult to observe, but at the same time dazzling for the peace and calm it conveys.
It should be noted that there are many attractions in this area, including, for example, the Côja river beach and the Fraga da Pena. Places that in themselves deserve a personalised and purposeful visit.
