Bussaco National Forest receives therapeutic certification in Portugal

Portugal’s Bussaco National Forest has been officially certified as the world’s fourth therapeutic forest by the Healing Forest International Certification Office. Located in Mealhada, the 105-hectare woodland is the first site of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula.

The certification, which remains valid until 2031, joins an elite global group that includes sites in Austria and Germany. To achieve this status, forests must maintain a ‘near-natural’ state, provide dedicated areas for relaxation and therapeutic applications, offer varied walking paths, and employ trained forest therapists.

Managed by the Fundação Mata do Bussaco in collaboration with Destinature, the initiative aims to establish the forest as a scientifically credible destination for health and wellness. The forest is noted for its rich biodiversity, containing approximately 250 species of trees and shrubs, and over 56 species of mammals, birds, bats, and amphibians. Efforts are also underway to advance scientific research and mental health interventions through partnerships with institutions like Instituto Superior Miguel Torga.