{"id":15287,"date":"2023-03-06T00:42:12","date_gmt":"2023-03-05T23:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/?page_id=15287"},"modified":"2025-10-08T00:36:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T23:36:06","slug":"cradle-of-the-coa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wildlifeportugal.pt\/en\/hiking\/cradle-of-the-coa\/","title":{"rendered":"Cradle of the C\u00f4a"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;35px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Cradle of the C\u00f4a<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">It is in this territory that one can find the Cradle of the C\u00f4a river, or its source. In its initial stretch, it delimits the Natural Reserve of Serra da Malcata in its northern part. Until it reaches Sabugal, the C\u00f4a takes on a westerly orientation. As it goes around the historical town it turns North and continues until it flows into the left bank of the Douro River, after about 140km.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>F\u00f3ios and Mesas Mountain<\/strong><del><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/del><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">This small village in the municipality of Sabugal is located at the base of the western slope of the Mesas Mountain, at an average altitude of 950m. Its surroundings are formed of an interesting variety of natural and semi-natural environments, with meadows, oak woods, scrubland and pine forests. In addition, the presence of the narrow and timid course of the C\u00f4a River, which has its source here, at an altitude of almost 1200m, also stands out. The vestiges of human presence in this territory date back to the Bronze Age. In the recent past, this was also the territory of smugglers, who took advantage of the proximity of Spain and the mountainous area to smuggle products from both sides of the border. Currently, despite a smaller population, there is still an important farming activity, where cattle are preferred, giving rise, every year, to the traditional Capeia Arraiana.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>The walking circuit of the Craddle of the C\u00f4a<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">This is a circular route located at the North of Malcata Mountain, starting and finishing in the central area of the village of F\u00f3ios. This area connects with the Spanish border, being Navasfr\u00edas the nearest village. The proposed route heads in an easterly direction, leaving the village when it crosses the C\u00f4a River. <\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Following upstream, practically along its course, it passes through green meadows, oak woods and chestnut groves, separated by a grid of schist walls.&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">It goes up gradually until, at an altitude of about 1100m, the landscape begins to transform, as does its substratum, which changes from schist to granite. <\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Next to the border, it makes use of an old smuggling route and, in its upper part, it includes a section of a Biodiversity Station installed here. <\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The slopes of the mountain are less wooded, with a greater presence of granite forms, and shrubs. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n<h4><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">At the Cradle of the C\u00f4a<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">At an altitude of about 1175m, it reaches the source of the C\u00f4a River. It continues, climbing a little more until it reaches the cuminal plateau of the Mesas Mountain, passing close to its highest point, at 1256m. From here there are wide views to both Spanish and Portuguese territory. Continuing the crossing of the high part of the mountain, it continues along the border to the South, until it begins the long descent to F\u00f3ios, along the western slope. It goes through forested areas made up of pine and oak trees, as well as meadows.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;15280&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;15282&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;18743&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Mammals<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">This mosaic is habitat to numerous species of carnivores such as the <strong>Wildcat<\/strong> (<em>Felis sylvestris<\/em>), the <strong>Red Fox<\/strong> (<em>Vulpes vulpes<\/em>), the <strong>Genet<\/strong> (<em>Genetta genetta<\/em>), the <strong>Weasel<\/strong> (<em>Martes foina<\/em>) or the <strong>Badger<\/strong> (<em>Meles meles<\/em>). Once occupied by the threatened Iberian Lynx, we can also find here the <strong>Roe Deer<\/strong> (<em>Capreolus capreolus<\/em>) and the <strong>Red Deer<\/strong> (<em>Cervus elaphus<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Birds<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">Birds are the most easily observed animals, with forest birds such as the <strong>Jay<\/strong> (<em>Garrulus glandarius<\/em>), the <strong>Nuthatch<\/strong> (<em>Sitta europaea<\/em>) and the <strong>Iberian Magpie<\/strong> (<em>Cyanopica cooki<\/em>) &#8211; an exclusive species to Portugal and Spain &#8211; standing out. However, it is common to see vultures, such as <strong>Griffon Vulture<\/strong> (<em>Gyps fulvus<\/em>) or <strong>Black Vulture<\/strong> (<em>Aegypius monachus<\/em>), flying over the region. On the upper plateaus of the Serra de Mesas, in its characteristic rocky and bushy habitat, we often hear, during spring, the melancholic call of the <strong>Ortolan Bunting<\/strong> (<em>Emberiza hortulana<\/em>), a small granivorous bird.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n<h4><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Reptiles and amphibians<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the running water lines, or on their banks, we can find the <strong>Iberian Frog<\/strong> (<em>Rana iberica<\/em>) and the <strong>Schreiber&#8217;s Green Lizard<\/strong> (<em>Lacerta schreiberi<\/em>), two Iberian endemic species. Alongside these, we may come across with the <strong>Guadarrama&#8217;s Wall Lizard<\/strong> (<em>Podarcis guadarramae<\/em>), also an Iberian endemic species that prefers stony areas.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;8430&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;18446&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;12523&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Botanical richness<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">Along the course of <em>The Cradle of the C\u00f4a<\/em>, the landscape is composed of clusters of <strong>pyrenean oaks<\/strong> (<em>Quercus pyrenaica<\/em>), some well-developed <strong>chestnut trees<\/strong> (<em>Castanea sativa<\/em>), scrub and pine forests, interspersed with open areas in the lower areas, usually fresh meadows. This diversity of environments allows the occurrence of a great variety of plants, some of which have a distribution restricted to the Iberian Peninsula, such as the small and apparently fragile Yellow-violet (<strong><em>Viola langeana<\/em><\/strong>), the <strong><em>Narcissus rupicola<\/em><\/strong>, the <strong><em>Hispidella hispanica<\/em><\/strong>, the pink-faced Veronica (<strong><em>Veronica micrantha<\/em><\/strong>), the Three Bird Toadflax (<strong><em>Linaria triornithophora<\/em><\/strong>), <strong><em>Linaria saxatilis<\/em><\/strong>, the White Broom (<em><strong>Cytisus multiflorus<\/strong><\/em>), the <strong><em>Echinospartum ibericum<\/em><\/strong>, among many others.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;8602&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;16335&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;18448&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Geological heritage<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">This is one of the most interesting thematics of this trail, since the Mesas Mountain, unlike the mountainous area where it is located, is formed by intrusive Hercynic granites. Here, the rocky outcrops have acquired very diverse forms, but the phenomena of perfect orthogonal fracturing that originated the so called &#8220;mesas&#8221; (tables) stand out. The different detailed geoforms that can be found here are also noteworthy, such as bolide stones, pedestal blocks, pedunculated blocks, split blocks, sinkholes, cannelures, polygonal fissures, pseudo-stratification, tors and also notable examples of spheroidal meteorization processes.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;18456&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;18746&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;18458&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;265&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_shadow_3d&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Photo gallery&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p>ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;50px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion style=&#8221;modern&#8221; color=&#8221;orange&#8221; spacing=&#8221;2&#8243; gap=&#8221;2&#8243; c_icon=&#8221;triangle&#8221; active_section=&#8221;0&#8243; collapsible_all=&#8221;true&#8221;][vc_tta_section i_position=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-info-circle&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; title=&#8221;more information&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1512586368122-3e46c312-354e&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>Length<\/strong>: 5,5 km<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>Type<\/strong>: circular<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>Duration<\/strong>: from 4 to 5 hours<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>Cumulative gap<\/strong>: 127m<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>Altitude max.\/min.<\/strong>: 1223m\/1115m<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>Recommended time of year<\/strong>: it can be done all year round. In summer, it is necessary to be careful because of the high temperatures. However, some parts of the trail are shaded by trees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>Recommendations and practical advice<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">For this activity, you will need comfortable footwear (preferably mountain boots or sports shoes), trousers, windbreaker and other clothing appropriate to the season and weather forecast. A hat for your head and sun cream. Bring water and individual food reinforcement (if justified) consisting, among others, of sandwiches, fruit or energy bars, nuts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">The planned programme may be subject to some changes should the weather conditions be too adverse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_position=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-map-marked-alt&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; title=&#8221;location&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1587308952490-64130160-f7b2&#8243;][vc_goo_maps location=&#8221;Esta\u00e7\u00e3o da Biodiversidade de F\u00f3ios, Sabugal, Portugal&#8221; zoom=&#8221;13&#8243; type=&#8221;h&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_position=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-euro-sign&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; title=&#8221;price&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1512586368167-630abd86-cdf7&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">FULL DAY: up to 6 participants \u2013 <strong>155,00 \u20ac<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">For bigger groups and other conditions, please contact us.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">The price indicated includes guidance, and insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">Booking a place is only guaranteed if 50% of the registration fee is paid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"><em>A discount equal to VAT is available for private clients.<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"><em>VAT will be added to the indicated prices for companies and other entities.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_position=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-phone-alt&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; title=&#8221;how to book&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1512586590713-55c5654d-1794&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><span class=\"\">Through the<\/span>&nbsp;<span class=\"\">contacts<\/span>&nbsp;available, indicating&nbsp;<span class=\"\">your<\/span>&nbsp;name and cell phone contact<span class=\"\">\/email.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><span class=\"\">The<\/span>&nbsp;reservation is only guaranteed upon payment of 50% of the registration fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/en\/page-contact-us\/\"><strong>contact form<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>Email<\/strong>:<a href=\"mailto:info@k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">&nbsp;info@k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>Mobile\/WhatsApp<\/strong>:&nbsp;+351 918 068 872<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">(call to the national mobile network)&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_position=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-solid fa-bed&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; title=&#8221;suggested accomodations&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1599047817817-00159c7e-e1f6&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rewilding-portugal.com\/greater-coa-valley\/wild-coa-network\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16553 size-thumbnail aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2-150x150.png\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2.png 1181w\" alt=\"Visit the Greater C\u00f4a Valley\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/casadapracapinhel.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Casa da Pra\u00e7a<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rewilding-portugal.com\/rewilding\/casa-do-brigadeiro\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Casa do Brigadeiro<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.turispedros.pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Casa Villar Mayor<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/coahoneycomb.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">C\u00f4a Honeycomb<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/quintadorionoemi.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Quinta do Rio Noemi<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hoteldocro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Cr\u00f3 Hotel Thermal &amp; SPA<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/rewilding-portugal.com\/greater-coa-valley\/rewilding-centre\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rewilding Centre<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; full_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; columns_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1759879423395{background-image: url(https:\/\/k52mhucbgfd.preview.infomaniak.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/FMR0940.jpg?id=18740) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;70px&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13515&#8243; img_size=&#8221;150&#215;134&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;70px&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13863&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;35px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Cradle of the C\u00f4a It is in this territory that one can find the Cradle of the C\u00f4a river, or its source. In its initial stretch, it delimits the Natural Reserve of Serra da Malcata in its northern part. Until it reaches Sabugal, the C\u00f4a takes on a westerly orientation. As it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15260,"parent":6484,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"googlesitekit_rrm_CAowx9fADA:productID":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15287","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Cradle of the C\u00f4a River is Wildlife Portugal&#039;s hiking experience<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cradle of the C\u00f4a River is a hiking experience with Wildlife Portugal that will take you to the source of this river.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wildlifeportugal.pt\/en\/hiking\/cradle-of-the-coa\/\" 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