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.

Translated by

•

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

Translated by

•

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.

Translated by

•

Routes here

Best Hikes to Cork oak grove in Monchique

3.8

(110)

395

hikers

1. From Monchique to Fóia — circular route

10.8km

03:27

440m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.2

(14)

hikers

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.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.5

(243)

1,042

hikers

3. View from Fóia Summit – Cork oak grove in Monchique loop from Monchique

11.4km

03:47

550m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 540 m

Weather

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See routes here

Take Me There

Add komoot as a preferred source in your Google results

Add now

Location: Monchique, Algarve, Portugal

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Picota Summit

Lemon Groves of Monchique

Barranco do Demo Walkway

Ancient Chestnut Trees of Monchique

Rural Landscape of Monchique

Eucalyptus Forest in Monchique

Lemon Orchard in Monchique

Eucalyptus Forest in Monchique

Vila Monchique

View of Monchique

Red-White Hiking Route, Monchique

View of Monchique Quarry

Cork oak grove in Monchique

1. From Monchique to Fóia — circular route

2. Monumental Trees — circular route in Monchique

3. View from Fóia Summit – Cork oak grove in Monchique loop from Monchique

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️