In reaching this pass the stage attains its highest point, approaching the 1000 meter contour. The name ‘Portela do Lagarto’ is associated with a legend according to which it is said that there once existed a very large lizard that fed on anything that was passing by, including people and animals. It was a nightmare for pilgrims who passed by here on their way to their devotions at Sra. da Peneda. One day, in his search for food, the lizard came across a woman who was going along the path. She was a spinner who lived near to Meadinha and was well known for sitting in the sun, spinning her skeins of yarn. The monster hurled himself onto the woman. She, being grounded and trapped, took the only thing she had to defend herself. She grabbed the distaff that was tucked in her belt and desperately and vigorously struck the reptile that then instantly turned into stone. Very soon the local people declared that this was the doing of Our Lady. At the top of the granitic outcrop (to the left of the road when travelling from Lamas de Mouro to Peneda) the rock has the zoomorphic form of a lizard. This figure is considered as a highlight of the Serra da Peneda and, as with other similar forms nearby, such as one shaped like a turtle, is the result of the alteration and erosion of the granite.