We have a nice two bedrooms farmhouse with barbecue to rent in the midle of protected Areas of Fonte da Benémola and Rocha da Pena. Paradises hidden in the rich landscape of the Barrocal region. Located in the Barrocal region of the Algarve, the Fonte da Benémola and Rocha da Pena (30 minutes from the beach and 15 minutes from Loulé), are protected natural areas containing ecosystems that are of great ecological interest in terms of the fauna and flora living there. Contained within these 390 hectares that form the protected area of Fonte da Benémola, situated between Querença and Tôr, is a wide and diversified range of flora not commonly found in the Algarve, as well as various exclusive species of animals, which have necessarily called for the special conservation measures taken to protect the wildlife here. In order to best appreciate this great natural wealth, we suggest following the special nature trail along the Ribeira da Menalva.
Close to the watercourses, you will see ash-trees and willows, visible among the canes and brambles. These are in sharp contrast to the valley slopes, where the vegetation is typically Mediterranean, with an abundance of carob-trees, arbutus trees, rosemary and lavender, as well as the schist soil areas, where you will tend to find holm-oaks and occasional cork-trees.
The water here is also rich in animal life, but the most important animal to be found in this protected area is the otter, rarely seen nowadays and leaving us from time to time with only the odd trace of its existence. Living in the small caves dotted along the banks of the river are two colonies of bats, who also benefit from their special protected status. Located between Benafim and Salir is the protected area of Rocha da Pena, a rocky terrain covering over 600 hectares and reaching its highest altitude at 479 metres.
The rugged landscape here invites visitors to walk along the area’s nature trails and also makes this an ideal place for rock climbing. The site consists of a rocky massif where you can appreciate the area’s rich and
varied flora, made up of over 390
species of plants – endemic, medicinal and aromatic – and the characteristic geographical formations of the Barrocal region of the Algarve. Highlights include wild roses, yarrow, wild orchids and scented lavender. Particularly distinctive amongst the diverse animal life living here are the large birds of prey, such as the Bonelli’s eagle, the buzzard and the eagle owl. Wild rabbits and hedgehogs also share the land with foxes, genets, mongooses and a small species of wild boar.Contact us here
