Algarve Easy Hiking and Culture

• have been dreaming of a first hiking holiday, but do not know where to start
• love easy nature walks, focusing on the enjoyment of nature rather than the distance covered
• enjoy tasting regional cuisine and discovering local culture

• Easy and short trails in wonderful sceneries, both at the famous Algarvian coastline as in the hinterland.
• Plenty of time to take pictures or just enjoy the stunning views
• Taste some of the best local gastronomy
• Get to know the historic highlights
• Learn about cultural traditions
• Free time in several towns for an independent exploration
• An English-speaking guide

Route

A FaroB Aldeia da PedralvaC MonchiqueD SilvesE Costa VicentinaF SagresG National ForestH LagosI Seven Hanging ValleysJ BenagilK WOT Algarve AlmancilL BarrocalM LouléN Ria FormosaO Faro

Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from Faro Airport to Aldeia da Pedralva - Slow Village

You will stay four nights in this accommodation. More info on the accommodations at the bottom of the itinerary description.

Day 2: Garden of the Algarve
Today the mountains of Monchique are waiting for us. Nicknamed the Garden of the Algarve, this evergreen region is a must. You will hike downhill enjoying the views and flora and will taste some traditional products of the mountain. In the afternoon your guide will take you to the Moorish castle in Silves, the former capital of the Algarve, and you will enjoy some free time to dwell through the cobbled streets. 

Day 3: Costa Vicentina
The west coast of the Algarve is a vast Natural Park and a surfer’s paradise. Even though we are high up the cliffs, this is a nearly flat walk with amazing view after amazing view, ending at the surfer's beach of Amado. From here we drive to Sagres for a typical lunch. In the afternoon you will explore a bit more of the town before going to Cape St. Vincent, the End of the World!

Day 4: National Forest & Ponta da Piedade
First up: a short trail in the hinterland, combining pine forest and viewpoints. Afterwards we drive to Ponta da Piedade, one of the most impressive rock formations in the Algarve with wooden walkways! From there we will drive you to Lagos, the town of the discoveries. The old centre is a protected area and on the World Heritage List of Unesco. You will enjoy a guided visit and free time.

Day 5: Seven Hanging Valleys
Check-out of Aldeia da Pedralva – Slow Village

Today is the most challenging trail, but one you cannot miss out on: the Seven Hanging Valleys trail. Starting at the Praia da Marinha, you will be immediately blown away by the beauty of this part of the south coast. As the name predicts there are seven valleys along the way, so this hike has some uphill and downhill stretches, but is very doable and absolutely worth it! As is the tasty picknick lunch with local specialties, fresh fruit and drinks waiting for you at the end of this achievement. In the afternoon, you enjoy a wonderful boat trip to the caves, including Benagil.

Check-in to WOT Algarve Almancil

You will stay three nights in this accommodation. More info on the accommodations at the bottom of the programme description.

Day 6: Barrocal
An easy trail through the fields in the hinterland. Spread throughout these fields of dark red earth, you will recognize the indigenous fig, olive, almond and carob trees. Here and there are some hidden vineyards as well, so of course, we choose to end the hike at a local vineyard for a wine tasting and some tapas for lunch. In the afternoon, you enjoy a guided visit and free time in Loulé.

Day 7: Ria Formosa
Last, but not least, we will stroll along the Natural Park of Ria Formosa. There is a completely flat trail at the edge of the protected area, from which you overlook this amazing maritime lagoon, with its canals and specific fauna and flora. This wetland is also extremely important for migratory birds, so you might spot some of them. Afterwards you have free time in Faro for lunch and to visit the old town. You can climb the cathedral tower or visit the bone chapel or simply stroll the pedestrian area. At the end of the day you will enjoy the sunset during a boat trip in the Ria Formosa.

Day 8: Departure
Check-out from WOT Algarve Almancil
Transfer to Faro airport

(Day 9 and 10: Optional
Book one or two additional nights in WOT Algarve Almancil to relax before returning home.)

Accommodation:

4 nights in Aldeia da Pedralva *** Slow Village
This guesthouse style accommodation consists of various recovered cottages in a rural setting, all different in shape and layout. At time of booking, you can choose between a double room (only for a travel party of two) or a twin room (travel party of two or solo traveller), and are guaranteed to receive one of the following:

• a two-person bedroom closed off from communal areas (such as kitchen and bathroom) in a cottage with several bedrooms; or
• a bed in a two-person studio type cottage with one double bed or two twin beds; or
• against a single supplement you can book a two-person bedroom to yourself as a solo traveller, but this could still be in a cottage with several rooms.

The type of cottage that will be allocated to you, depends on other bookings and availabilities. Please take in account that even though you might book a double room for a travel party of two, or a private room as a single traveller, you might still share a bathroom and other communal areas with other travellers. If you book as a single traveller without the supplement of a private room, you will share a twin room with another solo traveller of the same sex.

You can inform us about any preference regarding cottage type, and we will try to accommodate to the best of our abilities.

Breakfast package included on days 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Group dinner included on days 2, 3 and 4

3 nights in WOT Algarve Almancil**
This no-frills aparthotel is situated in a calm area near the Ria Formosa Natural Park and provides a quiet resting spot with several restaurants nearby, as well as small supermarkets should you prefer a quiet night in using your kitchenette.
At time of booking, you can choose between a double room (only for a travel party of two) or a twin room (travel party of two or solo traveller). As a solo traveller, you will share a twin room with another solo traveller of the same sex. You have the option to book a private room against a single supplement.

Continental breakfast buffet included on days 6,7 and 8