This trail of Medos Forest Interpretation Center is in Medos National Forest Botanical Reserve, next to Fonte da Telha. It is divided in 3 parts: “Caminho do Museu das Árvores” path of the Museum of the Trees (purple arrows and symbols); “Caminho das Artes” path of the Arts (orange arrows and symbols); and “Caminho do Altinho do Mar” path of Altinho do Mar. If open, before or after the trail, visit Mata dos Medos Interpretation Center and know more on Arriba Fóssil da Costa da Caparica Protected Landscape.Path of the Museum of Trees - standing in front of the picnic area, enter Medos National Forest Botanical Reserve to the north, along the path to the left. This forest, at the top of the fossil cliff, was planted by order of King João V to avoid the advance of the dune sands (""medos"" in Portuguese) to agricultural lands. The observation of flora and fauna, the contemplation of the aesthetics of the place, the trees and its shapes, the smells, the sounds, the textures and the fresh breezes are marks of this route. Found the 1st firebreaker and admire the harmony between the stone pine (Pinus pinea), a juniper (Juniperus turbinata ssp. turbinata), the mastic tree or lentisc (Pistacia lentiscus) and a subspecies of Mediterranean buckthorn (Rhamnus lycioides ssp. oleoides). After the 2nd firebreak, the marks on the ground show the direction to the path of the Arts. Walk west. Cross careful the forest road. Path of the Arts - with orange marks, this path takes you to the firebreak, along which is some of the most characteristic flora of this Botanic Reserve. Depending on the season and among other plants you can find a subspecies of curry plant (Helichrysum italicum ssp picardii), the scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis ssp. arvensis) and a restharrow (Ononis natrix ssp. ramosissima). The climax is on the top of the fossil cliff, that we call “Lugar dos Sentidos” (senses place) from where you can admire the Atlantic Ocean. Head south to Fonte da Telha picnic area. The fossil cliff rises in its magnificence. In a mixture of colors, the Portuguese short-stalked lavender (Lavandula stoechas ssp. luisieri), the common centaury (Centaurium erythraea) and several rockroses (Cistus crispus and C. salviifolius) give joy to this path. Path of Altinho do Mar- cross the picnic area at Fonte da Telha, heading south. Follow the blue marks. The landscape, the sea, the scents, the sounds, the fossil cliff, the 'natural aromatic garden' in a combination of a subspecies of curry plant (Helichrysum italicum ssp. picardii), sand-everlasting, Portuguese crowberry (Corema album), thymes (Thymus capitellatus) and a candytuft (Iberis ciliata ssp. welwitschii), awaken the senses and the visitor’s curiosity and make this a very special place in the Botanical Reserve.
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