Cabaços Quartz Vein

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Aveiro > Arouca > Castanheira > Escarpas da Mizarela

Location

The Cabaços Quartz Vein is located in the Mizarela Escarpments area, near the locality of Castanheira, in the municipality of Arouca. Its elevated position allows it to be visible from various points in the surrounding landscape, including the Frecha da Mizarela Viewpoint and the village of Castanheira, offering different perspectives of this natural formation.

A Singular Geological Formation

This geosites represents a remarkable outcrop of quartz, a mineral abundant in the Serra da Freita. The vein is distinguished by its white color and impressive size, reaching about two meters in thickness. Its formation is due to the circulation of residual magmatic fluids that filled fissures in the rock, in an advanced stage of crystallization of local granites, such as the Serra da Freita Granite and the Castanheira Nodular Granite.

Visual Impact on the Landscape

The visibility of the Cabaços Quartz Vein in the landscape is notable. With its surface dimensions that can exceed eight meters in width by twelve in length and two meters in height above the ground, this rocky body stands out for its milky white hue. Its high resistance to erosion, compared to the surrounding rocks, makes it stand out prominently in the terrain, functioning as a true natural landmark on the slope.

Interest and Recognition

Due to its size and prominence, the Cabaços Quartz Vein is recognized as the largest and most striking example of its kind in the entire Serra da Freita. Its importance lies not only in its geological aspect but also as a reference point for activities that value the region's natural heritage, such as the "Ultra Trail da Serra da Freita," an event that uses the singularity of the site as part of its course.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt