Home / Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark / Alforfa glacial valley (Geosite), Covilhã
Alforfa glacial valley (Geosite), Covilhã
This glacial valley, controlled by the fault that extends from Bragança to Unhais da Serra, illustrates the main characteristics of a valley glaciation, with overdeepenings and riegels, moraine deposits illustrating different phases of glacial recession, till outcrops, as well as periglacial deposits. It is one of the valleys of Estrela with more active slope dynamics, in particular in the Piornal slope, with several debris flows. At the maximum of the last glaciation, the Alforfa glacier reached a length of 5.8 km, with an ice thickness of 240 meters. Compared with other glaciers of the Estrela, this one was relatively small and had only about 7% of the entire volume of the ice of the mountain. This was due to the small area of its glacial basin, but also to the solar exposure, which should have promoted melting during the hot season.
CHARACTERISTICS
LOCATION
Address: Unhais da Serra
City: Covilhã
Postal Code: 6300 - 559
Telephone: 963629179
Email: info@geoparkestrela.pt
Website: http://www.geoparkestrela.pt
City: Covilhã
Postal Code: 6300 - 559
Telephone: 963629179
Email: info@geoparkestrela.pt
Website: http://www.geoparkestrela.pt
FUNCTIONING
Public venue, with no timetable or entrance fee.
ORGANISATION OF THE VISIT
The visit to this Point does not require prior booking and can be done individually.
Specific Conditions:
For interpretation regarding this geosite it is suggested the visit to the interpretative table at the coordinates 40°18'42.33"N, 7°35'1.10"W
Method:
Transporte próprio
Difficulty Level:
Baixa
Group Visits:
Yes
Minimum Number of Person per group:
5
Maximum Number of Person per group:
0
Observations:
Guided tours integrated by the Estrela Geopark. Consult https://www.geoparkestrela.pt/geopark/turismo
Guided Tours:
Yes
Observations:
Guided tours integrated by the Estrela Geopark. Consult https://www.geoparkestrela.pt/geopark/turismo
Specific Conditions:
For interpretation regarding this geosite it is suggested the visit to the interpretative table at the coordinates 40°18'42.33"N, 7°35'1.10"W
Method:
Transporte próprio
Difficulty Level:
Baixa
Group Visits:
Yes
Minimum Number of Person per group:
5
Maximum Number of Person per group:
0
Observations:
Guided tours integrated by the Estrela Geopark. Consult https://www.geoparkestrela.pt/geopark/turismo
Guided Tours:
Yes
Observations:
Guided tours integrated by the Estrela Geopark. Consult https://www.geoparkestrela.pt/geopark/turismo
EXISTING EQUIPMENT
GEOLOGICAL / MINING INTEREST
History Patrimony:
-
Activity Program:
-
Study and Research Unit:
-
Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources:
-
Volunteering Programs:
-
-
Activity Program:
-
Study and Research Unit:
-
Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources:
-
Volunteering Programs:
-
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE
Activity Description:
Educational Programs
Target Audience:
Primary, secondary and university students
Activity Cost:
5€
Weekly Schedule:
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
Weekend and Holidays Schedule:
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
Exceptions:
-
Observations:
The educational programs of the Aspiring Geopark Estrela are at this moment geared towards the Portuguese language. However programs can be ajusted to foreing languages.
Educational Programs
Target Audience:
Primary, secondary and university students
Activity Cost:
5€
Weekly Schedule:
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
Weekend and Holidays Schedule:
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
Exceptions:
-
Observations:
The educational programs of the Aspiring Geopark Estrela are at this moment geared towards the Portuguese language. However programs can be ajusted to foreing languages.
EXTERNAL SUPPORT
TRANSPORT
Type of Transport:
Táxi
Agency Name:
Táxi Carlos Adelino
Telephone Number:
968059106
Parking for private vehicles:
Yes
Táxi
Agency Name:
Táxi Carlos Adelino
Telephone Number:
968059106
Parking for private vehicles:
Yes
SITES OF TOURISTIC INTEREST
ASSOCIATED ROUTES
Geoparks in Portugal
Geoparks in Portugal UNESCO World Geoparks are territories with locations and landscapes of international geological importance, which combine the protection and promotion of its heritage with sustainable development. They are unique places where the oldest memories are millions of years old and include key locations that testify to the evolution of our planet. These territories are classified by UNESCO under the International Geosciences and Geoparks Program. Spread across all continents, geoparks are much more than areas of heritage relevance. They are dynamic territories of which local communities are part, where nature, history and culture are intertwined. There are currently 5 UNESCO World Geoparks in Portugal: Naturtejo (2006), Arouca (2009), Azores (2012), Terras de Cavaleiros (2014) and Estrela (2020). The Geopark on the coast of Viana do Castelo is preparing the future application, but its level of implementation in the territory, namely the educational offer it already develops, led to its inclusion in the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES, naturally without the status that UNESCO gives to the remaining territories. On the other hand, new applications are being developed, with several projects in the Oeste, Algarve and Figueira da Foz, which in due time may have their presence on this platform. To visit Portuguese geoparks is to embark on a journey that began 600 million years ago, when Portugal occupied a very different place on the globe, going through incredible episodes of formation and destruction of mountains and seas, of the appearance and extinction of species, of the occurrence of deep climate change, major volcanic eruptions ... until today in the relationship between man and the planet On this GUIDE the visitor will find a proposed itinerary to visit the most significant points in each national geopark, including, of course, the one located in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Take a "good trip" on the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES and discover the interesting places we introduce you throughout the country.
Geoparks in Portugal UNESCO World Geoparks are territories with locations and landscapes of international geological importance, which combine the protection and promotion of its heritage with sustainable development. They are unique places where the oldest memories are millions of years old and include key locations that testify to the evolution of our planet. These territories are classified by UNESCO under the International Geosciences and Geoparks Program. Spread across all continents, geoparks are much more than areas of heritage relevance. They are dynamic territories of which local communities are part, where nature, history and culture are intertwined. There are currently 5 UNESCO World Geoparks in Portugal: Naturtejo (2006), Arouca (2009), Azores (2012), Terras de Cavaleiros (2014) and Estrela (2020). The Geopark on the coast of Viana do Castelo is preparing the future application, but its level of implementation in the territory, namely the educational offer it already develops, led to its inclusion in the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES, naturally without the status that UNESCO gives to the remaining territories. On the other hand, new applications are being developed, with several projects in the Oeste, Algarve and Figueira da Foz, which in due time may have their presence on this platform. To visit Portuguese geoparks is to embark on a journey that began 600 million years ago, when Portugal occupied a very different place on the globe, going through incredible episodes of formation and destruction of mountains and seas, of the appearance and extinction of species, of the occurrence of deep climate change, major volcanic eruptions ... until today in the relationship between man and the planet On this GUIDE the visitor will find a proposed itinerary to visit the most significant points in each national geopark, including, of course, the one located in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Take a "good trip" on the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES and discover the interesting places we introduce you throughout the country.
SUGGESTIONS OF THE ROUTE- OTHER NEARBY PLACES TO VISIT
Panasqueira Mines Crystal Shop
Shop which offers exclusive selection of minerals and products from the Panasqueira Mines.