It encloses a set of protected areas, namely the Açor Mountain Protected Landscape, the Estrela Mountain Nature Park, the Malcata Mountain Range Nature Reserve, the Portas de Ródão Natural Monument and the International Tagus Nature Park. Despite its small geographical area, the Gardunha mountain Mountain presents a wide range of biological diversity, bringing together characteristic elements from the northern, central and southern parts of the country. Granite, schist and water are some of the elements that characterise this mountainous massif in Beira Interior. Signs of human intervention are also patent, particularly in agricultural areas, notably in cherry trees and areas forested with softwoods. However, there are still areas occupied by natural and semi-natural formations that contain significant and valuable biological diversity. With regard to flora, the northern slope is characterised by the presence of well-preserved habitats of wild chestnut trees and groves of European Oak or Alvarinho (varietal) and Pyrenean Oak, which is associated with Asphodelus, endemic to Portugal and exclusively found in this mountainous system. On the southern slope, there is a wide variety of brush, including heather and non-coastal Mediterranean Bell-heather and the mountain communities of Caldoneira (Echinospartum ibericum), endemic to Iberia. As for the fauna, the following species are present: the otter, water lizard, Lusitanian salamander, dace, Aurinia, Lepidoptera, Montague’s Harrier and the Booted Eagle. Not to mention the weasel.The Protected Landscape integrates the Gardunha Mountain Site (PTCON0028), which has an area of 5 935.39 hectares, and is part of the national list of Sites of Community Importance in the Natura 2000 Network.

From the geomorphological point of view, the area of greatest interest, in the Gardunha Mountain, is located near Castelo Velho at between 1006 and 1029 m above sea level, where 5 granite outcrops can be seen, notably the “Polygonal Fracturing” block, the “Cracked Block”, the “Residual Blocks” and some “Tor” blocks, considered to have “high geological value on a global scale” (ProGEO - European Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage). All this diversity comprises a very rich natural heritage, of incalculable value, and must be meticulously managed and preserved so that it can be passed on to future generations.

Source: ICNF (Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests)