This national park was established in 1971 and it’s located in northern Portugal right along the Spanish border. It is a wonderful place full of oak forests, valleys, peat bogs and 300-million-year-old granite heights. Within the park there are wolves and foxes roaming about as are boars, ibex and deer. You can also bird watch as there are 147 species of birds. Night creatures like 15 species of bats 10 of which are endangered.
The most popular residents of the park are the wild ponies known as Garrano ponies. They have been native to this area since the Celtic era during the first millennium B.C. Lots of ancient history to discover here as well like Celtic fortifications along the hilltops and a well-kept first century Roman road which goes across the park and is popular with cyclists.
For people who enjoy hiking there are dozens of old shepherd trails. The best time to explore the national park is in April and May when flowers burst in full bloom The Homem River Valley offers exploration of the remnants of an ancient native forest. The park also has various waterfalls where people can take a cool dip in the hot summertime.
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