The cork oak in Portugal was voted Tree of the Year in 2018. It is a true Portuguese cultural identity and gives the forest workers jobs and salaries every year.

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Niek 🇳🇱

August 5, 2025

Hiking

In the Algarve, especially around Monchique, cork oaks (Quercus suber), a tree species typical of southern Portugal, grow in abundance. These trees are important to the Portuguese economy because their bark can be harvested every nine years to make cork – Portugal is the world's largest producer. Cork oak forests also form a valuable ecosystem that contributes to biodiversity and soil conservation. You can often recognize old trees by their bare, reddish-brown trunks with a date inscribed on them.

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Ingo Weiß

November 5, 2019

Hiking

The cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is an evergreen deciduous tree of the Western Mediterranean from the genus of oaks. It endures drought and makes low demands on the soil. In Central Europe it is not hardy. The names are given to the mighty cork layers of the tribe, which are used for cork extraction. A single tree can deliver 100 to 200 kilograms of cork during its lifetime. Wikipedia

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Nearby routes

Best routes near Cork oak grove in Monchique

3.8

(110)

401

hikers

1. From Monchique to Fóia — circular route

10.8km

03:27

440m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

4.1

(15)

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2. Monumental Trees — circular route in Monchique

4.26km

01:15

130m

120m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.5

(229)

921

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3. Monchique Town Center – Cork oak in Monchique loop from Monchique

11.1km

03:42

550m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

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Elevation 540 m

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Location: Monchique, Algarve, Portugal

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Cork oak grove in Monchique

1. From Monchique to Fóia — circular route

2. Monumental Trees — circular route in Monchique

3. Monchique Town Center – Cork oak in Monchique loop from Monchique

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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