SERRA DO ALVÃO (BARRAGEM) 29-30.9.20

A major advantage of this trail at the Alvão Mountain Range Natural Park is the total absence of the eucalyptus tree. You see some scattered pines and birches and mostly a nice low and middle low scrub, but not a single eucalyptus. Another advantage is the quietness, the sense of loneliness, and the beautiful landscape, especially during the last half of the trail, punctuated with its majestic and artistic granite stones. One downside is the poor wild fauna with only a few small birds now and then, a pair of eagles, some small lizards, and virtually no insects to be seen. With my BirdNET App when taking camp at the dam, I managed to identify the European green woodpecker and Carrion crow with a 'likely' match, and the Common chaffinch, European robin and Willow warbler with an 'almost certain' match.

I decided to go CW but I don't see any reason not to do it CCW. I went off trail right away and found myself, after some 3,5 km, surrounded by high thick scrubland not very easy to pass through. And this is the reason I grade this trail as difficult and not moderate. At about km 5 I entered the closed dam site through a hole in the fence and set camp. The dam area is not to be trespassed due to the water being for human consumption. So, if you do this trail and get inside, please don't go for a swim and use the water for drinking purpose only. The day was closing, the moon was coming out almost full, and it certainly was a delight to cook dinner always with the dangers of a wildfire in mind. The night sounds where not overwhelming but always very intriguing and welcome. Not so cheerful was the difficult sleep. Though I had a tent, mattress, sleeping bag, and warm clothes, the night was cold and the ground hard. In the morning I took my time to rest from the difficult night, made breakfast, read the Watership Down, and well after 13:00 decided it was time to pack and move on. By the way, the water level was very low, a problem that seems to aggravate from year to year in Portugal.

The more I proceeded the more I went up the more the landscape became wider and majestic. At about km 12,5 the top was reached at circa 1.300 m altitude, where you could enjoy the delights of a small plateau. The beautiful descent that came next heading towards a brook through low scrub and big stones was not dangerous but caution and very good boots are strongly advised. After passing the brook it took up again through a nice pine wood. With a setting sun, I made the final kilometers surrounded by delightful sights. All in all, a very good and enjoyable trail.