Page 7 - Guide to QDL

Ria Formosa Natural Park / Nature Trails

Just East of Quinta do Lago, the
ocean beach goes offshore and
becomes a series of narrow
dune islands which create, on
the landward side, an inland
fresh and saltwater system of
estuary, lagoon, islands, chan-
nels and marshes which form
the 18,400 hectare Rio Formosa
Natural Park. This is an interna-
tional haven for rare and endan-
gered, nesting and migrating
birds and includes 60 kms of one of southern Europe's last unspoilt coastlines. These large ex-
panses of water, abundant in marine life, foster a rich eco-system, allowing many plants, insects
and animals to prosper. Ria Formosa has been named ‘ a wetland of world interest’ by the Inter-
national Union of Conservation of Nature and has been declared a protected area by the Portu-
guese government.

Nature Trails
There are 2 signed nature trails starting from the car park at the footbridge to the beach before
crossing the bridge. They have a number of information boards along each trail, 2 bird watching
hides and some Roman ruins. There are also other areas of the Ria Formosa worth visiting in-
cluding the nearby salt flats to the East of the nature trail. The water-sports centre on the lake
organises escorted eco-tours of the area (see page 9)
Boat Trips
You can also take a variety of boat trips around the islands of the Ria Formosa from Faro
harbour, about 15 minutes drive away.

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