S11: “Bio and geodiversity of the Paiva Walkways”


None | Saídas de Campo no Arouca Geopark

Summary: This field trip is done in one of the sections of the famous walkways that go along the left bank of the Paiva river. By walking through this walkways, you’ll have the opportunity to make a travel along the geological era that extends from for around 550 million years through its metasedimentary rocks passing through granites with 300 million years and geological processes that shape the river morphology to the present. Simultaneously, it is possible to pass through three of the five geosites that are located along this walkway. This trail is integrated in the Paiva River Site of Community Interest, where there are still protected species, some of them Iberians and Lusitanian endemism. The dense riparian gallery is inhabited by floral species well adapted to the banks of these clean waters, and it is an important shelter and food for many fauna species, with particular reference to the common otter (Lutra lutra).

Starting / arrival point: Paiva valley | Espiunca / Vau

Length / Level of difficulty / Duration: 8000 m / Easy / 4h00

Points of interest: Geosites: Falha da Espiunca (G32), Gola do Salto (G31), Vau (G30), Biospots of the Paiva Walkways, Rapid of the “3 Saltinhos”, Rapid of Escadinhas, Rapid of Parede.

Price (per student): 9,00 Euros (free for accompanying teachers)

Promoter / Reservation: AGA – Associação Geoparque Arouca; The reservations are made through the following form, that must be filled in and submitted 15 working days prior to the event. For further information, please contact us at 256 940 254 or geral@aroucageopark.pt .

Notes: This field trip is done in groups of 15, minimum, and 30, maximum. If you have a superior or inferior number of people, please contact us. The participants should wear suitable clothes and footwear for walking, and they should bring water bottles too. They should carry their camera and a hand-held magnifier. It is recommended to do this activity from March onwards, because it is possible to observe more species of fauna and flora. It includes the linear trail (return trip) between Espiunca and Vau.