MACIÇO DE SICÓ
Localization:
Located
north of the Aire and Candeeiros Mountains, it includes the Municipalities of Alvaiázere, Ansião, Condeixa-A-Nova, Penela
and Soure
Altitude: 618 meters in Alvaiázere Mountain
The "Maciço de Sicó" (massif) is a set of calcareous reliefs that, duing
to their surface or deep shapes, is an invitation for a long discovery. The Massif can be divided in two great morphological
unities: the first one, located on the oriental side, is dominated by a set of dolomitic hills formed above 300 meters high,
and where the so called Rabaçal depression is distinguishable.
The second morphological unity is located on the west side of the Massif
and is formed by calcareous Mountains and Plateaus.
On the occidental side of this unity, we can distinguish a set
of small Mountains - Avessada, Ponte, Alcôncere, Cruto and Circo - all of them less than 406 meters high, that are extended
along Rabaçal Mountain (532 meters) finally ending in Sicó Mountain (553 meters). On the oriental side we can find the highest
point of all the Sicó Massif: the Alvaiázere Mountain - 618 meters high. On this side we can also distinguish the Mouro Mountain
(447 meters) and the Ariques Mountain (533 meters).
The Sicó Massif is a remarkable scenery , particularly surprising because
of its Floristics diversity and richness. The Mata da Bufarda (wood) , the spots made of one hundred years old Oaks and the
unbelievable miracle of the orchids are part of this karstic ecosystem. But there are also Caves, Gullies and Canyons, such
as the canyons of Poios, Buracas Valley and the remarkable one of Rio de Mouros, near Conímbriga. It is on the extreme west
of the Sicó Massif that the Várzea-Dueça Speleological System is located. This is a subterranean large system of caves that
includes the Caves of Nascente do Algarinho, Algar da Várzea and Talismã.
