Serra de Arga, Mountain chain and nature reserve in Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Serra de Arga is a mountain chain in the Norte Region featuring rocky granite formations and slopes covered with Mediterranean plants. The landscape shifts from more open areas at lower elevations to increasingly dense vegetation as you climb higher up the slopes.
The area became a protected site through the Natura 2000 network in 2000, marking its official recognition as a conservation area of European importance. This designation established safeguards for the mountain chain and its natural ecosystems.
The Serra de Arga has long served as grazing land where shepherds managed their flocks across the slopes, shaping the landscape through centuries of pastoral use. You can still see signs of this tradition in how the vegetation grows and how people move through the terrain.
The mountain reserve is accessible year-round with marked hiking trails that wind through different elevations and terrain types. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for exploring, while summer can be warm and dry.
Wild Garrano horses, an ancient Portuguese breed, roam the slopes freely and have grazed these mountains for generations. These animals are an integral part of the landscape, their grazing habits helping to maintain the vegetation patterns.
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