D15

Queda de Água do Ribeiro de Sampaio

Description

Born in the mountains of Montemuro, at about 1000 meters above sea level, the river Sampaio flows here into the Douro, after crossing a journey full of steep slopes. In this place, comes to a striking drop of water formed about 2 million years ago by a geological phenomenon called “knickpoint”, meaning slopes of rupture and therefore favoring the creation of water drops. To assist in this process, there is an orthogonal fracturing system of Montemuro’s granite that facilitates its erosion by the whitewater descending these slopes. Complementing this waterfall we can see the fantastic surrounding with riparian forests well kept.

Natural Patrimony

The fall of Sampaio brook is set in a landscape of great natural beauty. Breaking large granite blocks and forming several waterfalls, this river has in its surroundings, leafy forests with a great diversity and a wide variety of trees such as black alder, ash, lote tree, the common oak or the bay laurel. In the shrub layer can be seen plants like the green olive tree or the elderberry. The herb layer shows the royal fern, the beautiful columbine or the furry anarrhinum in drier sites. With regard to fauna, this site, due to the abundance of water and its leafy forests, favors the presence of various amphibians such as the common toad, the iberian newt or the fire salamander. The high humidity felt here also contributes to the presence of the majestic iberian emerald lizard, endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, and the skittish otter, which runs these shores in search of food.

Localization

Cinfães

Technical information

  • Level of Dificulty Low
  • Type of Route Linear
  • Access Car/Pedestrian