Covao D'Ametade

Welcome to Covão d'Ametade, perhaps the most iconic and visually arresting location in the entirety of the Serra da Estrela. We are standing in a high-altitude glacial depression, situated at the base of the towering Cântaro…

Standing within the silver birch grove, one is immediately struck by the verticality of the white trunks against the gray granite backdrop. These trees, Betula pubescens, are a relic species in Portugal, typically found in much…

The Zêzere River, which will eventually grow into a powerful force that feeds the Tagus, is here at its most humble. As it meanders through the Covão d'Ametade, the water is so clear that every pebble on the riverbed is visible. …

Looking up from the center of the covão, the dominant feature is the Cântaro Magro, or the 'Lean Pitcher.' This massive granite spire rises nearly 500 meters above the valley floor, reaching an altitude of 1,928 meters. Its…

As we walk toward the eastern edge of the covão, we can observe the evidence of the glacier's retreat. The mounds of loose rock and soil that form the boundary of the flat meadow are lateral moraines—debris pushed aside by the…

The meadow of Covão d'Ametade is a delicate and highly specialized ecosystem. Because of its high altitude and the accumulation of cold air, it functions as an alpine tundra. …

Near the entrance to the park, you will notice the stone structures that serve as a base for hikers and climbers. This is a site of deep significance for the history of Portuguese mountaineering. …

As we prepare to leave Covão d'Ametade, take a final moment to look up at the Cântaros and down at the silver birches reflected in the still waters of the Zêzere. This place is a powerful reminder of the geological and climatic…