Designated in 1981 (Partial Nature Reserve), 1999 (Nature Reserve)

The Malcata range, in Penamacor and Sabugal municipalities, reaches east towards the Spanish border, in a sequence of rounded summits running northeast-southwest. Its highest point is the geodesic landmark of Machoca (1078 m) and the lowest is the river Bazágueda (425 m). The Reserve’s vegetation is different in the north and centre from the south. The main species in Malcata’s woods are Pyrenean oak Quercus pyrenaica in the northern part, and holm oak Quercus rotundifolia in the south.
Also very important are the rupicolous communities associated with the main waterways (the river Côa to the north, Meimoa creek in the centre and the river Bazágueda in the south). The Nature Reserve was created with the main purpose of preserving a population of the most endangered feline in the world, the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, together with its characteristic environment, Mediterranean woodland. There are other protected animal species in the Reserve, such as the black vulture Aegypius monachus, black stork Ciconia nigra and wild cat Felis sylvestris.
The economy of this area, thinly populated due to emigration, is based on subsistence agriculture, cattle-raising and forestry, bee-keeping and game. There are an impressive number of monuments such as palaces, castles and bridges in a medieval style. This area has rich cultural traditions, such as local cuisine, religious festivals and bull-fighting.