Walking Trail 'Around the Cork Plantation (Montado)'Mértola
SETTING
The São Domingos mine contains a unique knowledge mystical and life force, where, through the mining activity, a very particular form of social organization was built. In contrast with the aridity of the mining area, we can find the relaxing green landscape of Tapada Grande, the gentle fields of grain and flowers, the carob plantations, the majestic stone peaks and the abandoned hills of the Alentejo, built in rammed earth and adobe, which take us back to ancestral knowledge.
THE WALKING TRAIL
Exit the door of Hotel da Mina de São Domingos and cross the road toward the wall of the Tapada Grande Dam. Take to the left of the wall and go up the hill that lies at its end, taking a slight descent followed by another climb to reach the new dirt road that exits the highway at this location. Follow straight ahead through the dirt road, admiring the fields of carob trees and the imposing hills topped by quartzite rocks, until you reach the Monte do Guizo, where you can rest and have a drink of water.
Go back a little and turn left - heading northeast -, passing next to a huge lake and several Alentejo pig farms, toward the Monte Vale Travesso, which is completely in ruins. Take a moment to admire these ruins with their typical construction in rammed earth and adobe. Follow the path to the East, through the undergrowth and the "montado”, in order to cross the Cabeça de Aires River where the Tapada Grande reservoir begins. Go around the reservoir from the top, until you reach the river beach and finally enter the Mina de São Domingos village, worth a visit.
If you would like to be accompanied by a guide please contact:
SAL Sistemas de Ar Livre >>> http://bit.ly/2ohxcUd
FACTSHEET
Location: Mértola
Distance: 14,5km
Duration: 4/5h
Degree of difficulty: Low
Download the trail map >>
https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/gca/mapa_11_11270231605de113350acaf.pdf
https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/editor2/guia_transalentejo_alqueva_en.pdf
SUGGESTIONS OF CONDUCT AND SAFETY
- Go on your tour as a group. If you are walking alone, leave behind the information on the trails you are going to take.
- In organized tours, always observe the indications of guides.
- Choose the area of your tour for spending the night, taking your meals and shopping. Greet and mingle with the locals.
- Use suitable clothing and footwear. Take sufficient water and food for the day, as well as means of communication and a first-aid kit.
- Take only the marked trails and respect private and public property. Leave the gates as found when you pass them.
- Avoid mineral or vegetable sampling and the disturbance of wild life and livestock, keeping as far as possible.
- Use caution when crossing hazardous locations. When in doubt, go back.
- Take the utmost care when crossing roads, streets and railway lines.
- Respect the surrounding nature. Avoid using shocking colours and making unnecessary noises.
- Take your garbage and place it in appropriate containers at the site where you purchased the goods that gave rise to this garbage.
- Do not make fire. Avoid smoking or do it only at the stops.
The São Domingos mine contains a unique knowledge mystical and life force, where, through the mining activity, a very particular form of social organization was built. In contrast with the aridity of the mining area, we can find the relaxing green landscape of Tapada Grande, the gentle fields of grain and flowers, the carob plantations, the majestic stone peaks and the abandoned hills of the Alentejo, built in rammed earth and adobe, which take us back to ancestral knowledge.
THE WALKING TRAIL
Exit the door of Hotel da Mina de São Domingos and cross the road toward the wall of the Tapada Grande Dam. Take to the left of the wall and go up the hill that lies at its end, taking a slight descent followed by another climb to reach the new dirt road that exits the highway at this location. Follow straight ahead through the dirt road, admiring the fields of carob trees and the imposing hills topped by quartzite rocks, until you reach the Monte do Guizo, where you can rest and have a drink of water.
Go back a little and turn left - heading northeast -, passing next to a huge lake and several Alentejo pig farms, toward the Monte Vale Travesso, which is completely in ruins. Take a moment to admire these ruins with their typical construction in rammed earth and adobe. Follow the path to the East, through the undergrowth and the "montado”, in order to cross the Cabeça de Aires River where the Tapada Grande reservoir begins. Go around the reservoir from the top, until you reach the river beach and finally enter the Mina de São Domingos village, worth a visit.
If you would like to be accompanied by a guide please contact:
SAL Sistemas de Ar Livre >>> http://bit.ly/2ohxcUd
FACTSHEET
Location: Mértola
Distance: 14,5km
Duration: 4/5h
Degree of difficulty: Low
Download the trail map >>
https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/gca/mapa_11_11270231605de113350acaf.pdf
https://www.visitalentejo.pt/fotos/editor2/guia_transalentejo_alqueva_en.pdf
SUGGESTIONS OF CONDUCT AND SAFETY
- Go on your tour as a group. If you are walking alone, leave behind the information on the trails you are going to take.
- In organized tours, always observe the indications of guides.
- Choose the area of your tour for spending the night, taking your meals and shopping. Greet and mingle with the locals.
- Use suitable clothing and footwear. Take sufficient water and food for the day, as well as means of communication and a first-aid kit.
- Take only the marked trails and respect private and public property. Leave the gates as found when you pass them.
- Avoid mineral or vegetable sampling and the disturbance of wild life and livestock, keeping as far as possible.
- Use caution when crossing hazardous locations. When in doubt, go back.
- Take the utmost care when crossing roads, streets and railway lines.
- Respect the surrounding nature. Avoid using shocking colours and making unnecessary noises.
- Take your garbage and place it in appropriate containers at the site where you purchased the goods that gave rise to this garbage.
- Do not make fire. Avoid smoking or do it only at the stops.
