With a length of 6.5 kilometers and a circular route, the route includes 10 observation points for flora, fauna, rest areas and a picnic area in the Silves mountains, an area affected by the huge fire that broke out in Monchique in 2018.

“The objective is to take people to the interior so that they can see and enjoy nature, while also contributing to the prevention of forest fires,” ICNF regional director Joaquim Castelão Rodrigues told Lusa.

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The Trilho da Parra came from from an ICNF project, financed by the Environmental Fund to “give support to an environmentally rich area affected by fires”, in 2018 and 2023, noted the director.

In 2018, fire consumed around 60% of the 806 hectares of the Herdade da Parra National Forest, destroying several species of native trees and animals, including deer and red partridge.

According to Joaquim Castelão Rodrigues, after the 2018 fire, the ICNF made three applications “to restore the environmental value of the forest, namely emergency stabilization, reforestation and intervention in the area that was not affected” by the fire.

For the ICNF's Algarve regional director, the trail “highlights the concern that exists with the preservation of the forest, knowing that the movement of people is a prevention and warning factor for fire situations”.

The route classified as “difficult” is open throughout the year and is free to access.