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About this place
Serras da Freita e Arada is a large protected area in northern Portugal, covering two neighbouring mountain ranges: Serra da Freita and Serra da Arada. Most of it lies in the municipality of Arouca, with the remainder in São Pedro do Sul, Vale de Cambra and Castro Daire.
What is Serras da Freita e Arada?
It is part of the European Natura 2000 network under the code PTCON0047. It is designated as a Site of Community Importance under the Habitats Directive: it was proposed in 1998 and confirmed in March 2008. The site covers roughly 28,700 hectares, making it one of the larger protected areas in northern Portugal.
Where is it and how does it fit the surroundings?
The area sits around the town of Arouca in the Porto and North region. It overlaps heavily with Arouca Geopark, a member of the UNESCO global geoparks network. According to the geopark, nature conservation zones make up about 47% of its territory, and the Serra da Freita and Arada zone alone accounts for about 34% of the total. The other zones are Rio Paiva (about 10%) and Serra de Montemuro (about 3%).
What is protected here?
The site lies in the Mediterranean biogeographic region, but in a transition zone between Atlantic and Mediterranean influences. As a result, species and habitats from both worlds meet here. The standard data form lists 21 species covered by the nature directives and six habitat types, including Atlantic wet heaths and dry heaths. Some plants and animals live here at the edge of their range, which adds to the ecological value of the place.
Who is it for?
Serras da Freita e Arada suits visitors who want mountain scenery away from city crowds: walkers, nature watchers and landscape photographers. It works best as part of a wider trip around Arouca, with time set aside to explore the geopark.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Serras da Freita e Arada?
In northern Portugal, mainly in the municipalities of Arouca and São Pedro do Sul, and also in Vale de Cambra and Castro Daire.
How large is it?
About 28,700 hectares.
Is it a national park?
No. It is a Natura 2000 site (PTCON0047), designated as a Site of Community Importance.
How is it connected to Arouca Geopark?
The Serra da Freita and Arada zone covers about 34% of the geopark's area and is its largest nature-conservation zone.
Which habitats occur here?
Among others, Atlantic wet heaths and dry heaths; six habitat types in total are listed in the site's data form.
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