Mount of Oaks

Mount of Oaks (Monte dos Carvalhos in Portuguese) is an off-grid intentional community and permaculture farm on 5 hectares of terraced farmland near the village of Castelo Novo, in Fundão, central Portugal. The land sits in the foothills of the Serra da Gardunha. The project was founded in 2006 and is run by White Stone, a non-profit association. It follows permaculture ethics and principles, and its vision covers community resilience, ecological education and social permaculture. The community grows organic food and uses natural building techniques, including traditional thatching with local broom. It's committed to ecological regeneration. Visitors describe the place as peaceful and surrounded by nature, far from urban noise, with organic, locally sourced food central to daily life. Mount of Oaks takes in volunteers, short-term visitors and long-term residents who want to learn practical skills in building, gardening, animal care and sustainable living. Community work days, herbal walks, skill-share workshops and seasonal rituals run throughout the year, and the farm works as a living laboratory for permaculture and regenerative practices. Open-minded people who want to engage with the land, the community and themselves are welcome. The project also hosts workshops on topics such as traditional thatching, herbalism, and grief and gratitude rituals. Participants come from across Portugal and Europe. In their testimonials, guests write about losing their fear of animals, reconnecting with simple daily rhythms and becoming more aware of how they use energy and resources.