Walking in the Algarve Spain Europe - A Walker's Guidebook

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Updates

The area of southern Portugal known as the Algarve has been the destination for winter-sun-seekers for many years. Although bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to both the south and west it is warmed by the Gulf Stream and experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, sunny winters. The oft-quoted statistic – that the Algarve receives an average of 300 days sunshine a year – is true.

For many years the Algarve was not considered a ‘real’ walking destination, but rather the domain of golfers in winter and sun-worshippers during the summer months, but that opinion is rapidly changing.

An increasing number of people, drawn to the area by low-cost flights, are beginning to realise that there is far more to this area than first meets the eye. Besides the spectacular and dramatic coastline – much of which still remains unspoilt – there is a huge interior that most tourists never visit. Here there is a rich variety of landscape – from the mountains of the Serra to rolling foothills interspersed with dramatic limestone escarpments. With the changes in scenery come variations in the local flora and fauna, which combine to make walking here so very interesting. In addition there are still many villages that see very few – if any – tourists, places where the mule and plough still work the land and where laundry is done by hand at the local wash-house.

It is fair to say that parts of the coastline were, in the past, overwhelmed by building developments to satisfy tourist demand, and some small fishing villages  became large resorts almost overnight. That unrestricted growth has now been controlled, and steps have been taken to protect areas of natural beauty. All of the western Atlantic coastline – where some of the best coastal walking can be found – is now included in the Cape St Vincent Natural Park, and nature reserves have been created along the coast near Castro Marim and Faro to help preserve important wetland areas. The same is true for unique inland sites such as the limestone escarpment of Rocha de Pena, the Fonte de Benemola near Querença, and the banks of the Rio Guadiana on the Spanish border.

The distribution of walks in this guide offers a good mix of coastal, mountain and inland scenery. The majority can be tackled by anyone of average fitness, and the grading used is based on the amount of climbing involved: an easy walk is a flat walk suitable for all the family, whereas a difficult walk (there are very few) would involve a number of fairly steep ascents and descents.

The walks are, for the most part, well away from the main tourist developments, and because public transport is poor you will need a car to get to the start of most routes. Once away from the coast there are few facilities such as cafes and restaurants, so if you are choosing one of the longer walks do make sure you take refreshments with you, including plenty of water.

The majority of the walks are located to the north and west of Faro, and there are very few close to the Spanish border. This is because the coast is a series of sand flats which do not lend themselves to good walking, while inland the rolling hills have very poor access. The best walking is found a good 30 miles or so from the coast around Cachopo, and these are included in this guide.