Mount of Oaks

Mount of Oaks, known in Portuguese as Monte dos Carvalhos, is an off-grid intentional community and permaculture farm situated on 5 hectares of terraced agricultural land near the village of Castelo Novo in the Fundão region of central Portugal. Founded in 2006, the project is run by the non-profit association White Stone and operates according to permaculture ethics and principles. The community cultivates organic food, practices natural building techniques — including traditional thatching with local broom — and maintains a deep commitment to ecological regeneration. Visitors describe the environment as peaceful and immersed in nature, far from urban noise, with organic and locally sourced food at the heart of daily life. Mount of Oaks opens its doors to volunteers, short-term visitors, and long-term residents who wish to learn practical skills in building, gardening, animal care, and sustainable living. Regular community work days, herbal walks, skill-share workshops, and seasonal rituals are organised throughout the year, creating a living laboratory for permaculture and regenerative practices. The project also hosts workshops on topics such as traditional thatching, herbalism, and grief and gratitude rituals, drawing participants from across Portugal and Europe. Testimonials from guests highlight the transformative quality of the experience — from losing fear of animals to reconnecting with simple daily rhythms, to gaining awareness of responsible energy and resource use. Located in the Serra da Gardunha foothills, Mount of Oaks embodies a vision of community resilience, ecological education, and social permaculture, welcoming open-minded people who wish to engage meaningfully with land, community, and themselves.