PR5 SRP - Rota do Lago

The PR5 SRP - Lake Route is a circular trail starting at the São Bento Cross, in the municipality of Serpa. The route crosses a rural Alentejo landscape marked by cork oak and holm oak montado, traditional olive groves, grazing fields and Mediterranean scrubland, where rockrose is particularly prominent.

Throughout the year, the landscape changes noticeably, alternating between the dry tones of summer and autumn and the more intense greens of winter and spring. During rainy periods, small watercourses cross the route, while the Facho II dam, locally known as the Vareta dam, is the main permanent water point.

The surroundings of the dam stand out for the vegetation along its banks and for a small woodland area near the base of the lake wall, creating favourable conditions for the presence of several bird species. Species recorded in this area include the northern goshawk, white stork, booted eagle and grey heron.

With approximately 19 km in length, the trail combines montado woodland, open areas, temporary watercourses, ponds and the dam landscape, providing a long walk through the natural and rural diversity of inland Alentejo.