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Dates
17th & 24th April, 26th June, 11th September, 2nd & 16th October
Costs
£560 for 7 days
The Walks
Our walks are all in the Eastern Algarve, still unspoilt largely undiscovered and quite breathtakingly beautiful. Springtime is lush with flora and wild flowers. Birds and wildlife are everywhere. In the autumn the countryside is warm and welcoming.
The beach walks reflect a relaxed pace of life here. All walking routes are regarded easy to moderate grade, generally good dirt tracks. Here are some of the days out.
Praia de Faro island
A day on Praia de Faro island that has wide sandy beaches wooden cafes and houses. The Atlantic Ocean waves pound the seaward side of the island while the beach on the sheltered side runs into shallows of warm water. When the tide goes out it leaves small pools of water with mini crabs, shrimp and anemones to look for. There is a real 60's California USA feel to the area; nothing beats sitting in a café with a coffee and brandy watching big waves pound the beach for relaxation.
Cachopo - Mealha - Casa Baixas - Feiteira
Arriving at Cachopo, a small village dating from the 16th century, the walks provide an accurate picture of rural life. White-washed houses, traditional stone benches, the community ovens and washing areas, threshing floors, furnaces, the pack saddle maker and blacksmith are all there, giving you a glimpse of old Portugal and Portuguese village life. The area also has a good fonta ferrea - spring, which is an ideal picnic spot.
There are nine walks that link up to other villages, Mealha - Casa Baixas - Feitera. We can take more than one days walk if you wish to stay over in the old school house; it is basic but clean. The traditional food and wine are excellent.
Cachopo is 35 km from the San Bras de Alportel.
Faro
We spend a day exploring Faro's pre-roman origins and Arabic inheritance. The walled ancient city centre with its archaeological museum cathedral and a number of noted churches are not to be missed. There is also a marina and a fine pedestrianised shopping centre with quality gifts and clothing and plenty of cafes and bars for refreshment. In the evening we meet in the old town where more authentic Portuguese restaurants are situated. Prior to that, we will introduce Julio Cabecadas, a vintner in the town. Julio is a man of some experience who will host port tasting and demonstrate the art of sampling and decanting port. A nice detour.
Island of Ilha
The beach walks are taken on the island of Ilha; we take the ferry to the barrier Islands from the quayside at Olhao or Travira. The group of sandbanks lies 15 minutes offshore. They are about 30 miles long and part of the Nature Reserve, Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. The island Ilha de Armon has lovely beaches of pure soft sand. You can hang out with the crowds on the inshore side with its rickety beach bars where the ferry lands, or head for the seaward side for peace and Atlantic waves
Estoi - Guilhim - Fialho - Estoi
We start the walk at the Roman villa of Milren and end it at Palacio do Visconde de Estoi. While the house itself is not open to the public the gardens are wonderfully evocative with nymphs, fountains and paths that pass orange trees and flowering bushes, statues of Diana, Venus and the Three Graces its all quite delightful. There is a climb to the top of Guilhim but the tracks and paths are good, with occasional stony and difficult sections.
Ria Formosia
The Ria Formosia reserve and Fuseta saltpans and marshes have a good variety of bird life and being coastal you get a good breeze there. The walk at Quinta do Marim, a reserve and sanctuary, has bird watching hides where you can spot herons, grebes, coots, moorhens, teal, sandpipers, mallards and even purple gallinule. There is also a kennel for the Portuguese water dogs and a restored tide mill that is still used to mill flour, it is one of only three in the country.
Sao Bras de Alportel
The grand forest region north of Sao Bras de Alportel has eucalyptus and pine trees as well as oak cork; our walks take us through the forest and into a pleasing photogenic landscape. There is some moderate climbing involved, through undulating countryside. We stop at a village café for a midday break or take the mule to carry the liquids and food for a picnic.
See Arrangements for your stay for details of your accommodation and meals.
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