Zambujeira do Mar » Odeceixe

Along this stretch of coast it is interesting to take a close look at the cliffs; note how the sedimentary rocks that were laid down horizontally over aeons have been folded and pushed out of all recognition so that what was once horizontal is now in some cases vertical. Now imagine the forces necessary! More recently was the formation of lithified sand tubes which can be seen a bit all over the trail.

On this section you will also find abundant signs of the presence of mammals, especially carnivores living among the dunes. It is hard to spot the animals themselves given that for the most part they are nocturnal, remaining in their burrows during daylight and only coming out to hunt at dark. But you will come across their droppings, footprints, burrows or maybe even the remains of their night’s hunting. These carnivorous mammals include Egyptian mongoose (locally known as escalabardo), weasel, beech marten (also known as papalvo), badger, genet and otter. Rabbits are other mammals that build their burrows in the most stable of the sand dunes. These rabbits are the original stock of all rabbits worldwide, and incredibly important here, being the preferred prey of most carnivores.