Dunar Winch-Cresmina System

Category: Nature > Protected Area

District: Lisboa > Cascais > Cascais > Cresmina

Location

The Guincho-Cresmina Dune System is located in the Cresmina area, belonging to the municipality of Cascais. It is integrated into the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, benefiting from a coastal and natural environment. Its proximity to the Guincho and Cresmina beaches gives it a peculiar landscape, where the transition between sea and land manifests uniquely on the Portuguese coast.

A Singular Natural Phenomenon

This dune system is notable for its particular geological dynamics. The sand, originating from the adjacent Guincho and Cresmina beaches, is constantly transported by strong northwest winds. This migration occurs over the flattened rocky platform of Cabo Raso, following a path that takes it inland before, eventually, returning to the sea further south, in the area between Oitavos and Guia. This continuous movement of sand is a fascinating example of how natural forces shape the coastal landscape, creating what is known as the Cresmina-Oitavos aeolian dune corridor.

The Dune Landscape

With an approximate area of 66 hectares, the Guincho-Cresmina Dune System offers a dune landscape with unique characteristics and striking beauty. This area is dominated by sand and dune vegetation, adapted to the rigorous conditions of the wind and the proximity to the ocean. It is a place where one can observe the arid and constantly changing beauty of a coastal ecosystem shaped by aeolian action. The vastness of the dunes provides an environment of tranquility, ideal for those seeking contact with wild nature and the serenity of the maritime landscape.

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