Home / Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark / Zêzere glacial valley  (Geosite), Manteigas

Zêzere glacial valley  (Geosite), Manteigas

The Zêzere valley is a perfect example of glacial erosion. With a U-shaped cross-section profile along 10 km, between Covão da Ametade and the town of Manteigas, the valley presents in its upstream sector a succession of overdeepenings, riegels and hanging valleys, as well as several types of glacial, fluvioglacial and slope deposits. At the maximum of the last glaciation, the ice thickness reached 340 meters close to the Covão da Albergaria, fed by the ice-field of the Torre Plateau. A little further downstream, the Zêzere valley was also fed by glaciers from the hanging valleys of Candeeira and Covões. The shape of the present valley and its rectilinear character are a result of erosion processes favoured by the the Bragança-Vilariça-Manteigas-Unhais da Serra fault tectonic lineament.

CHARACTERISTICS

LOCATION
Address: São Pedro
City: Manteigas
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°22'54.12"N, 7°32'39.43"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 curiosity
GEOLOGICAL / MINING INTEREST
History Patrimony:
-

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.

EXTERNAL SUPPORT
Where to Stay
https://cm-manteigas.pt/

Where to Eat
https://cm-manteigas.pt/

Cultural Facilities
https://cm-manteigas.pt/

TRANSPORT
Type of Transport:
Táxi
Agency Name:
Táxi De Silva Carvalho E Monteiro Lda
Telephone Number:
275982868

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.  



SUGGESTIONS OF THE ROUTE- OTHER NEARBY PLACES TO VISIT
Panasqueira Mines Crystal Shop
Image

Shop which offers exclusive selection of minerals and products from the Panasqueira Mines.