If your ideal holiday in Portugal takes you strolling through glorious Portuguese landscapes discovering the hidden treasures of the Western Algarve, then Simply Salema’s Algarve walking holidays are for you. We are passionate walkers ourselves and have found some amazing routes and trails throughout the Natural Park that surrounds Salema and the Monchique hills and forests beyond.
Dramatic coastal paths, remote beaches, whitewashed villages, ancient ports, rolling hills, river valleys, wooded ravines and cork forests are all varieties of its landscape.
We work closely with Dr Julie Stratham, who has written a number of books on walking in the Algarve. She is available for half and full day guided walks and is an expert on Algarve flowers, history, geography and culture. Julie can also offer walks with special themes such as birds, flora, butterflies and insects.
Alternatively, we have an extensive collection of maps and routes in the villa to help you plan your own walks in the Algarve. Each guided walk lasts some three to six hours, with a lengthy lunch stop.
Here are some examples. All walks can be tailor made to the group’s exact requirements, fitness levels and areas of interest:
Pontal and Vilharinha
Beginning in the coastal village of Carrapateira, this walk takes you through unspoilt countryside before leading you down into the Bordeira valley and up onto the famous Pontal headland. The cliff formations change as you walk around the headland so there is something different around every corner. There is so much to feast your eyes on before walking back to Carrapateira.
Full walk 16km, but can be extended or reduced. Moderately easy.
Vila do Bispo and the West Coast.
This coastal and countryside walk is in complete contrast to the one above despite them both based in the Natural Park, on the west coast, because of the complete change in geology. Starting from the old town of Vila do Bispo this circular walk takes you down to the spectacular wild sandy beaches of Cordoama and Barriga flanked by tall dark brooding cliffs before the path winds its way back to the town. This is a rugged and windswept landscape in the most Westerly part of Continental Europe.
Full walk 20km, but can be extended or reduced. Moderate.
Coastal Path – Salema to Sagres
A walk from Salema along tracks and paths to the town of Sagres, ‘the End of the World’. On your way you pass the popular beaches of Ingrina and Zavial. Both have beach bars where you can pause and admire the views before continuing your journey. This is totally unspoilt coastline and the walk is wonderful any time of the year, but especially so in spring when it is awash with wild flowers. You will discover hidden beaches and have time to take a swim.
Full walk 17km, but can be extended or reduced. Easy to moderate, depending on route taken.
The National Forest, Vila Velha
Forget ‘forest’ as in the UK, this is an attempt by the Portuguese to re-establish the indigenous trees into the area and the result is a tranquil haven ideal for walking. This circular walk takes you through the heart of the forest before passing through wide-open countryside with wonderful views in all directions.
Full walk 13km, but can be extended or reduced. Moderately easy.
Picota
The walk starts in the mountain town of Monchique and you climb through a mixture of chestnut and eucalyptus woods to the top of Picota, the second highest peak in the Algarve where there are fantastic views down to the coast. The return is along the flanks of the mountain passing through small hamlets where traditional farming is still practiced.
Full walk 15km. Moderate to challenging, depending on route taken.
Foia
An alternative and challenging route is to return to the coast from Foia, the highest point on the Algarve at 900m. The walk winds back to the ocean through ancient cork forests, whitewashed villages and ancient river valleys.
Full walk 34 km. Challenging.