Veredas da Estrela

Veredas da Estrela ('Paths of Estrela') is a community and environmental association based in the mountain villages of Figueiró da Serra and Freixo da Serra, within the Serra da Estrela Natural Park in Central Portugal. It was founded in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2022 wildfires, which destroyed roughly 25% of the natural park, as a direct response from local residents determined to prevent such devastation from happening again. The association's mission centers on creating living communities and ecosystems that are more resilient to forest fires. This involves restoring degraded land, reclaiming and maintaining hiking trails, improving fire safety and prevention, and fostering biodiversity and healthy ecosystems across the two villages. Members and volunteers come together for hands-on actions such as clearing and wooding land, path restoration, and community events that combine environmental care with local socialising and cultural continuity. Beyond ecological restoration, Veredas da Estrela sees itself as connecting the past and present of these historic mountain villages, recovering memories and traditions while building something new for future generations. Its work has attracted national attention, including a feature by Portuguese broadcaster SIC on the region's recovery, and international recognition through networks focused on community resilience. The association also promotes engagement through public events, most notably the Chocalhos Trail, a hiking and trail-running event that brings hundreds of participants into the mountains around Figueiró and Freixo, combining outdoor recreation with awareness of the landscape's fragility and regeneration. The association actively invites new members and participants to join its ongoing actions to prevent fires, restore ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience in Serra da Estrela.