Vale do Rio Zêzere (Zêzere River Valley)

Between São Gabriel, in Manteigas, and Quinta do Brejo, in Valhelhas, the Zêzere River runs through a landscape dominated by metasedimentary rocks, exhibiting a sinuous path, as a result of the vulnerabilities of these materials to water erosion. In the Vale de Amoreira-Valhelhas section, the river has a flat bottom, flowing through a relatively narrow channel. This particular morphology is due to the accumulation of large amounts of sediments transported by the watercourse, which takes place mainly during periods of greater flow. The so formed soils are called alluviums and, due to their depth and fertility, they have an enormous agricultural aptitude.

In Valhelhas, upstream from the mouth of the Famalicão stream, the damming of the river's waters resulted in the creation of a large dam, which constitutes the habitat of choice for a huge diversity of aquatic species.