The Portuguese Montado

A unique ecosystem that is home to 33% of the world's cork oak population

By Rod Loboz

March 3^rd, 2024

About two hours away from Lisbon, close to the beautiful beaches of coastal Alentejo, lies a man-made landscape of gentle hills that are home to the world's largest population of cork oak. It is used primarily for cattle grazing and cork production, but it also harbours wild game such as boards and is the natural environment of the Iberean pig, which feeds on acorns. I stayed in a wooden cabin in a property of a Dutch couple and discovered a place of beauty and tranquility, enjoying excellent hikes between communal and private properties, farm roads and abandoned farm houses. For Kogi, my german shorthaired pointer, it was paradise.