Panoramic

The Castanheira Coast Panoramic is a geosite of geomorphological and cartographic interest. Located at an altitude of 1046 meters, it is a magnificent vantage point for observing the geology, morphology and landscape of the Serra da Freita, as well as the surrounding morphostructural complexes, currently benefiting from the panoramic balcony located on the 10th floor of the Arouca Meteorological Radar (RMA).

Positioned on metamorphic rocks more than 500 million years old, the geosite/radar is located in the southwest of the Serra da Freita. On clear days, you can see the entire plateau drained by the River Caima to the north, with special emphasis on the Frecha da Mizarela, the various mountain villages, some of the geosites on the plateau and the respective wind farm. Also to be seen in this direction are the Arda Valley, the Gamarão mountains, the deep Paiva Valley and the Montemuro Massif. To the east, the Serra de Arada is particularly noteworthy and to the west there is a privileged panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, over a distance of more than 100 kilometers, with the city and the Ria de Aveiro and the urban area of Porto standing out. To the south/southwest, the Felgueira-Preguinho fault (NW-SE) stands out, responsible for the abrupt southwest slope of the Serra da Freita which, by causing a drop of around 200 meters in the Gralheira Massif, gives rise to two blocks, the higher corresponding to the Serra da Freita and the lower to the Serra do Arestal. Still in this direction, the Vouga Valley can be seen, with the Ribeiradio Dam reservoir in evidence. To the south of the Vouga Valley lies the Serra do Caramulo, followed by the Mondego Valley and the Serra da Estrela marking the horizon to the southeast.