The Mata de Albergaria and Palheiros is the principal oak forest within the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the oak trees here being in the best state of conservation and forming the only mature oak forest in Portugal. It is therefore of great interest from the point of view of conservation and biodiversity and has consequently been classified as a Biogenetic Reserve by the Council of Europe
The forest stretches from the border with Galicia (Portela do Homem) to the south alongside the River Homem valley. Although oak is the dominant species, with trees over a hundred years old, the Mata de Albergaria and Palheiros also includes small clumps of Portugese laurel, strawberry trees, holly and yew woods. The latter species constitute true natural sanctuaries since they are very rare or even extinct in other parts of Portugal
As well as fauna and flora typical to Gerês, the area defined by the forest is well known for the presence of numerous natural lagoons with crystal clear waters, especially the River Homem lagoons, most of which are accessible on foot
This forest is also traversed by a remarkable section of the Roman Via XVII of Antoninus (Geira), now National Monument. It includes several routes for visitors and points of specific interest and is now one of the most frequented places of visitors to the National Park, either in autumn for the spectacle of the autumnal colors or in the summer for being a relatively fresh and very pleasant area for walking, cycling and horse riding.
