Field trip

(7th May)

8:30 - 15:00 // Field trips (please register your option in registration form)

A: Bus Tour – visit the Water Museum in Vila Nova de Cerveira and know about the actions the ECST has planned for the Minho river, a Natura 2000 international site, the most southern limit of Salmon in the World, with a traditional fishing activity and an impressive gastronomy connected with the river. Then visit Viana do Castelo main city of the ECST territory near the ocean and know about the work done with soft mobility in the city and an innovative app for disabled people preparing their visit to the city center. Up the river Lima, please make acquaintance with the Landscape Protected Area of Lagoa de Bertiandos and S. Pedro de Arcos with a small but very rich wetland. Visit the Information Center and a presentation of the most relevant work in Environmental education. Small walk in the area.

Not demanding, comfortable shoes.

B: Walking Trail – visit the Serra d’Arga and its precious hidden jewels, the São João d’Arga Sanctuary and walk around the mountain and know about the efforts done for its declaration as a future local intermunicipal protected area. The conflicts of use in the mountain between local population and recent tourism activities, the forest fires effect and exotic invasive species, the wolf and the cattle rough co-existence, different uses, different expectations. The importance of recovering traditional quality food and crafts for a sound local economy and the role of tourism.

Demanding, walking boots and a good raincoat/windbreaker

C: Bike ride – follow the Minho River trail and discover this unique international river full of stories and History of crossing borders between Portugal and Galicia during the hard times of dictatorship and smuggling goods, as well as its rich habitats classified as Natura 2000 site and learn about the effort done by CIM Alto Minho organizing a network of bike and walking trails preparing the visit of tourists to the ECST territory. Know also about the effort done at the North Region and the 5 ECST areas working together in order to have a common strategy for Nature Tourism.

Demanding, properly dressed for a 5 hour bike ride on a flat area along the river.