National Forest of the Bear

Category: Nature > Woodland

District: Leiria > Pombal > Carriço

Location

The Mata Nacional do Urso (National Forest of Urso) is situated along the central coast, spanning the municipalities of Pombal, Leiria, and Figueira da Foz. It encompasses the former Pinhal do Urso (Urso Pine Forest) and the stretch of dunes accompanying the coast between Pedrógão and Leirosa, forming a continuous forest area of over six thousand hectares.

In the Carriço area, in Pombal, one of its natural access points can be found, where the pine forest approaches the settlements and connects with areas of scrubland, small lagoons, and sandy terrain. To the west, the forest extends to an extensive coastal front, in an area where the forest and the maritime environment gradually intersect.

Origin and Evolution

The planting of pine trees in this region began in the 13th century, initiated by D. Afonso III, with the objective of halting the advance of the dunes. During the reign of D. Dinis, this work was intensified, contributing to the formation of a large forested area that, for centuries, provided timber for various purposes, including shipbuilding.

The current name may be linked to a legend recounting a confrontation between D. Dinis and a bear, an episode depicted in an altarpiece in Coimbra. The forest was also formerly known as Pinhal da Universidade (University Pine Forest) due to its connection with the University of Coimbra before returning to royal administration in the 19th century.

Natural Environment

The landscape of the forest is dominated by the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), a species that shapes the visual environment and defines much of the ecological dynamic of this territory. Other tree and shrub species, such as eucalyptus and vegetation characteristic of sandy soils, also appear scattered throughout.

The fauna is varied, with the presence of wild rabbit, fox, and various birds, including blackbird, jay, and partridge. The combination of forest, dunes, and small wetland areas creates a diverse natural ensemble, where different habitats succeed one another continuously.

Landscape and Experience

The vastness of the forest offers a sense of immersion in an extensive forested space, where dense pine areas alternate with open clearings and transition zones towards the dunes. Trails such as the Lagoa de São José or the Baleia Verde allow visitors to discover different environments and appreciate the way light filters through the pine trees.

Walking along these paths, the scent of resin, the sound of the wind in the treetops, and the contrast between shaded areas and more exposed zones reveal the unique identity of this forest, which stands out as one of the largest continuous forest areas in Central Portugal.