Category: Nature > Route
District: Faro > Loulé > Querença > Vale Mulher
The Fonte Benémola Trail is located in the Vale Mulher area, in the village of Querença, which belongs to the municipality of Loulé. This trail is part of the designated Fonte Benémola Local Protected Landscape, a classified area of significant natural interest. Nestled in the heart of the Algarvian Barrocal, the site offers an environment of tranquility and direct contact with a well-preserved rural landscape, characterized by serene beauty and the predominance of natural elements that shape its identity.
The central point of this trail is the Fonte Benémola, a natural spring locally known as the "Olho" (Eye). Water, a vital element, is the protagonist that shapes the landscape along the way, feeding streams and creating ideal conditions for the surrounding vegetation. The trail closely follows the water's flow, revealing the ingenious system of ancient levadas (irrigation channels), which once distributed water for agricultural purposes. At certain points, it's possible to observe the poldras (stepping stones), stones laid out in the riverbed that allowed its crossing, demonstrating an ancestral relationship between man and the waterway.
The Fonte Benémola Local Protected Landscape stands out for its natural richness. Along the trail, it's possible to observe a diversity of flora and fauna, especially in the wetland areas of the floodplains, formed by the stream. This is a privileged habitat for various bird species, which find a suitable place for feeding and shelter in the area. The variety of trees and shrubs, typical of the Barrocal, complements the experience, providing an immersion in a vibrant and balanced ecosystem.
The path through Fonte Benémola also reveals traces of past rural life. It's possible to find structures that tell the story of the communities that inhabited and worked this land. Old haystacks and the remains of a lime kiln bear witness to agricultural and extractive activities that were pillars of the local economy. The trail also passes by places that evoke traditional crafts, such as the house of an old basket weaver, and an olive press, once essential for olive oil production in the region. These elements offer a glimpse into the daily life and traditions that shaped the landscape and its people.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.19870651969948, -8.004379286928195
Coordinates DMS: 37°11'55.3"N 08°00'15.8"W