Walking in the Algarve
£12.00
55 long and short walks and 5 car tours
by Brian and Eileen Anderson
A guidebook to walking in the Algarve in Portugal, featuring 55 of the best long and short day walks. We cover the entire coast and north to the area around Monchique, showing trekking routes of varying difficulty, all of which are mapped in detail.
Most of the hikes are circular, taking you along unspoilt cliffs and beaches of the coast and inland to hilltop villages and mountains.
This guide also includes five car tours, a touring map and free downloadable GPS tracks.
When to go: The best months for walking in the Algarve are March to May, or September and October, but winter walking is enjoyable too.
★★★★★ amazon review ‘I did a couple of walks in this book when I visited the Algarve, and I wished I could have done a few more, but I wasn’t there long enough. Both walks were very clearly described, and though I’m terrible at reading maps, and easily get lost, even I found the directions in the book very easy to follow. I found one of the nicest things about the book was the way each walk had photos in it that really made you want to be there. Every description also included fascinating little anecdotes about the places the walk passed through.‘ Surfing Serf
Printed book: £14.99 / PDF ebook: £12.00
Few visitors explore beyond the beautiful Algarve coastline, but the Andersons did. They say, ‘We found a countryside full of interest and beauty. From flowers and fountains, hilltops and history, to windmills and watermills, we can set your feet wandering to find them all.
But you can explore Algarve by car, too, searching out little-known points of interest — like the huge rose compass on the barren promontory of Sagres, where Prince Henry the Navigator founded his school of navigation.
But don’t think that we have ignored the beautiful and rugged coastline. Wherever it is still unspoilt and free from development, we have incorporated it into a walk.’
Key features:
• 55 long and short walks, colour-coded for grade
• 1:50,000 topo maps with waypoints
• Free downloadable GPS tracks
• Algarve Way highlighted on all relevant maps
• Satnav coordinates to walk starting points
• Five car tours and fold-out touring map – ideal for planning
• Plan of Faro
• 20+ picnic suggestions, many suitable as short walks
• Timetables for local transport
• Online update service
With a hire car you can choose any coastal resort or, if you prefer an inland base, Monchique is a good choice. But if you’re relying on public transport, choose one of the main towns — Albufeira, Faro, Lagos or Portimão for convenient access to buses and trains.
5 car tours, 55 long and short walks, 20 picnic suggestions
136 pages + touring map; plan of Faro, large-scale (1:50,000) topo maps
9th ed, 2024; ISBN 978-1-85691-556-4
UK retail price £14.99 / USA retail price $20.00
Table of contents:
Preface 5
Acknowledgements; Background reading 6
Getting about 7
Picnicking 8
Touring 10
Country fairs and markets 13
THE WEST COAST TOUR (TOUR 1) 14
Alvor – Circular walk for motorists 16
Bordeira — Circular walk for motorists 18
Rogil Nature Reserve — Short walk for motorists 19
Pera Marsh Nature Reserve – Bird-watching and a walk 20
MOUNTAINS AND ‘MOORS’ (TOUR 2) 21
Alferce – Circular walk for motorists 23
VILLAGES OF THE BARROCAL (TOUR 3) 24
Fonte de Benémola — Circular walk for motorists 26
Moinho da Pedragosa — Circular walk for motorists 28
EASTERN HIGHLIGHTS (TOUR 4) 31
Monte São Miguel 34
MÉRTOLA CIRCUIT (TOUR 5) 35
Mértola 37
Barrier Islands 38
Walking (see explanation of symbols on page 40) 39
Grading, waymarking, maps, GPS 40
What to take 41
Where to stay 42
Weather 43
Things that bite or sting 43
Hunting season 45
A country code for walkers and motorists 45
Portuguese for walkers 46
Organisation of the walks 47
The Algarve Way, The Rota Vicentina and day walks 49
THE WALKS
1 Luz • atalaia • Porto de Mós • Ponta da Piedade • Lagos 50
Wild flowers 56
2 Luz • Burgau • Luz 57
3 Burgau • Cabanas Velhas • Boca do Rio • Salema • Burgau 59
4 Figueira • Ingrina • Zavial • Figueira 62
5 Mexilhoeira nature walk 67
6 Barão São João circuit 69
7 Fóia road • Madrinha • Pé do Frio • Chilrão • Fóia road 71
Strawberry tree 72
8 Monchique • Fóia • Monchique 74
9 Monchique — Picota circuit 77
10 Ilha do Rosário circuit 78
11 Silves circuit 80 •
Silves 81
12 Benagil • Marinha • Albandeira • Senhora da Rocha • Benagil 84
13 Cerro • Conqueiros • Pico Alto circuit 88
14 Alte • Rocha dos Soidos • Alte 92
15 Paderne • Castelo • Azenhal • Paderne 96
Paderne Castle 97
16 Cerro de São Vicente double circuit 100
17 Ribeira de Algibre circuit 102
18 Monte Seco circuit 104
19 Penina circuit 107
Scrubland 109
20 Salir circuit 110
21 Estói • Guilhim • Fialho • Estói 114
22 São Brás • Tareja • Vale de Estacas • São Brás 119
Algarvian flowers 123
23 Tavira National Forest 124
24 Castro Marim Nature Reserve 127
Bus and train timetables 131
Index 135
Fold-out touring map inside back cover
with plan of Faro
Albandeira, Praia da (Pry-ah dah Ahl-bahn-day-rah) 15, 20, 86, 88
Albufeira (Ahl-boo-fay-rah) 8, 13, 30, 34, 42, 97, 99, 131
Alcoutim (Ahl-koo-teeng) 37
Alferce (Ahl-fayr-suh) 22, 23, 77
Algarve Way (Via Algarviana) 17, 23, 37, 48, 49, 51, 70, 71, 73, 75, 78, 79, 111, 112
Aljezur (Ahl-jay-zur) 15, 17, 18, 19, 51
Almodôvar (Ahl-moh-doh-vahr) 35, 36
Alte (Ahlt) 6, 13, 24, 29, 44, 91, 94, 95, 96
Alvor (Ahl-vohr) 15, 16, 42, 67, cover
Amendoeira (Eh-men-doy-ay-rah) 24, 25, 26
Arneiro (Ahr-nay-roh) 111, 112, 113
Asseiceira (trig point) 124, 125, 126
Azenhal (Ah-zeen-yahl) 97, 98, 100
Barão São João 16, 69, 70
Barragem (Bah-rah-jeng)
da Bravura (dah Brah-vuh-rah) 15, 19
do Arade (doh Ah-rahd) 21
Barranco do Velho (Bah-rahn-koh doh Vehl-yoh) 26, 31, 33, 37
Barreiras Brancas (Bah-reh-rash Brahn-kash) 24, 28
Barrier islands 31, 38
Barrocal (Bahr-roh-kahl) 24, 39, 91, 93, 103, 105, 109, 110, 120
Benafim (Bay-na-feen) 29
Benagil (Bay-nah-jeel) 86, 87, 88, 89, 131
Boca do Rio (Bok-ah doh Ree-oh) 15, 58-9, 60, 61
Boliqueime (Boh-lee-came) 24, 30
Bordeira (Bohr-day-ra)
near Estói 24, 114, 115, 117
near Sagres 18
Budens (Boo-denghs) 16, 58-9, 62, 64-5
Burgau (Bour-gaung) 16, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58-9, 60, 61, 131
Cabanas Velhas (Kah-bahn-yash Vail-yash) 58-9, 60
Cabo de São Vicente (Kah-boh day Saoung Vee-cent) 17
Cachopo (Kah-sho-poh) 31, 32, 33, 37
Caldas de Monchique (Kahl-dahs day Moan-shee-kuh) 15, 19, 21, 22, 72, 73, 131
Camilo (Kah-mee-loo) 52-53, 56
Carrapateira (Kah-rah-pah-tay-rah) 19, 51
Casais (Kah-zaish) 19
Castro Marim (Kas-troh Mah-reem) 29, 31, 32, 35, 37, 127, 128-9
Cerro (Say-roo) 90, 91, 92
Cerro de São Vicente 101, 102
Chilrão (Cheel-raoung) 19, 71, 72, 73
Conqueiros 90, 91, 92
Daroeira (Dah-roh-aye-ra) 125, 126
Espiche (Esh-pish) 16, 58-9, 69
Estói (Esh-toy) 17, 24, 25, 114, 115, 116-7, 118, 131
Falésia 4
Faro (Fa-roo) 12, 24, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 42, 131
Fialho (Fee-ahl-yoo) 114, 115, 118
Figueira (village and beach, Fee-gay-rah) 16, 62, 63, 64-5, 66, 131
Fóia (mountain, Foy-a) 18, 19, 21, 22, 64, 71, 73, 73, 74, 75, 76
Fonte (Fohn-teh)
das Amoadas 108, 109, 110
de Benémola (deh Ben-nay-moh-lah) 24, 26, 27
de Tareja 119
do Bico Alto 119, 120, 121
Grande (in Alte) 24, 29, 94, 95, 96
Pequena (in Alte) 95
Guilhim (mountain and village, Gee-lim) 114, 115, 116, 117, 118
Hortas do Tabual (Hor-tash day Tah-boo-ahl) 63, 64-5
Ilha do Rosário (Eel-yah doh Roh-sah-ree-oo) 80, 81
Ingrina, Praia da (Pry-ah dah Een-gree-na) 15, 17, 51, 62, 63, 64-5, 66
Lagôa (Lah-go-a) 12, 15, 19, 21, 22, 131
Lagos (Lah-gosh) 7, 13, 15, 16, 19, 22, 42, 50, 52-3, 54, 55, 56, 131
Loulé (Low-lay) 13, 26, 28
Luz (Loozh) 15, 51, 52-3, 54, 57, 58-9, 131
Luz de Tavira (Loozh day Tah-vee-ra) 31
Madrinha (Meh-dreen-ya) 71, 73
Malhada do Peres (Mal-ya-da doh Peh-resh) 124, 125, 126
Marinha, Praia da (Pry-ah dah Mah-reen-ya) 9, 15, 20, 86, 87, 88, 131
Marmelete (Mahr-may-lay-teh) 15, 19
Mata da Conceição (forest, near Tavira, Ma-ta day Kon-say-soungh) 31, 124, 125, 126
Mértola (Mehr-toh-la) 35, 36, 37
Mexilhoeira Grande 15, 67, 68
Milreu (Meel-roo) 24, 114, 115
Monchique (Mohn-shee-keh) 19, 21, 22, 38, 40, 42, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 131
Monte (Mon-teh)
Brito (Bree-too) 29
São Miguel (Saoung Mee-gell) 34
Seco (mountain and hamlet, Say-koo) 104, 105, 106, 107
Nave (Nah-vay) 19, 22
Nossa Senhora (Noh-sah Seen-yoh-ra)
da Rocha 86-7, 88, 89
de Desterro (deh Desh-tay-roh) 74, 75, 76
de Guadalupe (deh Gua-dah-luh-peh) 16, 64-5
Odiáxere (Oh-dee-a-share-ay) 15
Olhão (Ol-jaoung) 8, 31, 34-5, 38, 43
Paderne (Pah-dehr-nay) 5, 24, 29, 30, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 131
Pé do Frio (Peh doh Free-oo) 71, 72, 73
Pena (Pay-na) 91
Rocha da Pena 14, 24, 29, 91, 108, 110
Penina (Pay-nee-na) 108, 110
Pera Marsh Nature Reserve 20
Pico Alto (mountain and village, Pee-koh Ahl-toh) 90, 91, 92, 93
Picota (mountain, Pee-koh-ta) 22, 77, 78, 79
Ponta (Pohn-tah)
da Gaivota (near Luz, dah Guy-voh-tah) 15, 58-9
da Piedade (dah Pee-ay-dah-day) 14, 42-3, 54, 56
Portimão (Pohr-tee-moungh) 1, 8, 13, 15, 42, 131
Porto (Pohr-too)
de Lagos (deh Lah-gosh) 19,22
de Mós (deh Mozh) 16, 52-3, 55
de Olhão (deh Ohl-yaungh) 31
Nobre (Noh-bray) 26
Praia (Pry-a)
da Ingrina see Ingrina
da Marinha see Marinha
das Furnas (dash Foor-nash) 62, 63, 64-5
da Albandeira see Albandeira
de Figueira see Figueira
do Zavial see Zavial
Dona Ana (Don-a A-na) 6, 16, 52-3, 54
Purgatório (Poor-ga-toh-ree-oo) 30, 97, 101, 102
Raposeira (Rah-poh-zay-ra) 16, 64-5
Ribeira (Ree-bay-ra)
Alte 102
de Algibre (river and village, day Al-gee-breh) 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107
de Oudelouca (deh Oo-deh-loo-kah) 79
de Monchique 23
Quarteira 97, 99
Rio Arade (Ree-oh Ah-rahd) 15, 21, 80, 81, 82, 84
Rocha (village, Roh-sha) 108, 109
da Pena see Pena
dos Soidos (village and rock, dosh Soy-dosh) 94, 95, 96
Rogil (Roh-sheel), Reserva Natural 18, 19
Rota Vicentina 17, 49, 50, 51, 52-3, 54, 56, 57, 58-9, 61, 62, 63, 64-5
Sagres (Sah-gresh) 5, 13, 15, 17, 39, 51, 131
Salema (Sah-lay-ma) 51, 53, 56, 58-9, 60, 61, 64-5
Salir (Sah-leer) 24, 26, 111, 112, 113
Santana da Serra (Sahn-tah-nah da Say-ra) 35
São Bartolomeu de Messines (Saoung Bahr-toh-loh-may-oo day May-see-nesh) 21, 33
São Brás de Alportel (Saoung Brahs deh Ahl-pohr-tell) 31, 33, 42, 119, 131
São Romão (Saoung Roh-maoungh) 25
Senhora da Rocha 84, 85, 86-7
Serra de Monchique (Sehr-ra deh Mohn-shee-keh) 12, 19, 21, 39, 71, 73, 74-5, 84, 90
Silves (Seel-vesh) 13, 15, 19, 21, 22, 42, 80, 82-3, 84, 85, 131
Soidos de Baixo (Soy-dosh day Bie-shoo) 95
Taipa (Tah-ee-pa) 29
Tareja (Tah-ray-ja) 31, 119, 120
Tavira (Tah-vee-ra) 31, 32, 33, 38, 43, 124, 126, 130, 131
Vale (Vah-leh)
da Lama (da Lah-ma) 81
de Boi (deh Boy) 16, 58-9
de Estacas (deh Esh-tak-ash) 119, 122, 123
Vau (Vow) 15
Vila do Bispo (Vee-lah doh Bees-poo) 17, 51, 64-5
Vila Real de Santo António (Vee-lah Ray-ahl deh Sahn-toh Ahn-toh-nee-oh) 7, 31, 32, 37, 127, 128-9, 131
Zavial, Praia do (Zah-vee-ahl) 15, 17, 62, 63, 64-5, 66
Algarve, 9th edition (2024); updated 8/8//24
Updates for walks and car tours (drives) in Algarve given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book you can “upgrade” to the latest edition at half price).
Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably by e-mail, to info@sunflowerbooks.co.uk.
Walk 5: The dyke has been repaired so the full route is accessible! The railway platforms have been rebuilt so you have to step down a steep step (platform height) to access the trail. Walked on 8/8/24 (User, 8/24)
Walk 20: I see you have already alerted readers to a potential problem, but based on our experience you may need to change the route/instructions. We recently completed the Salir Circuit walk in March 2024. The sections between 1 and 2, once you pass the first farm, is virtually impassable. It is heavily overgrown and there are trees and bushes blocking the path. We did eventually work our way through but it was not the best start to a walk and looks like the “trails” are never used these days… Also, a small point, the section between 1h and 1h11 was a bit unclear. We crossed the road bridge and headed off down the clear track to the left, but there was no “small stream bed” visible and as we followed the main track looking for it we eventually reached the Rio Seco. Only then, realising we wrong, we retraced our steps and then followed a path to the right up to the “white house” and picked up the main route again. All this time we were not sure we were correct and it was bit disconcerting. I think the description could be a bit more positive about choosing the lesser paths to the right and take out the reference to the small stream bed (which was not visible when we were there). (User, 3/24)
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