Walking the Algarve's South West

Experience Overview

Escape the busy tourist spots of the Algarve and discover the unspoilt Sagres Peninsula, a region of spectacular natural beauty with rugged cliffs, dramatic coastlines, sandy beaches and lush countryside. On our 10-night walking holiday, a mixture of forest, valley and coastal trails take you inland and along Portugal's west and south coast, affording breathtaking views and some truly memorable moments.
Profile
— 10 Nights, hotel-to-hotel — Headwater Navigation App — Luggage transfers between hotels — Walking transfers
At a Glance
— 10 Nights, hotel-to-hotel — Headwater Navigation App — Luggage transfers between hotels — Walking transfers
Trip For You
Classification: Self-Guided Average daily distance on move on days: 16.8km (10.7miles). No. of days Walking: 5 Terrain: Mostly gently undulating with a couple of short but steepish descents/climbs on most days. Walks are mostly on a mix of coastal paths and tracks and woodland trails. Sections follow the Rota Vicentina and Fishermens Trail. Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies. Starting on the west coast you'll walk along the Rota Vicentina and Fishermen's Trail, discovering delightful whitewashed villages and golden beaches, before the course of the Sinceira River leads you inland to charming Pedralva. Following a fragrant forest route you'll reach the picturesque village of Vila do Bispo, from where you'll make your way to the mesmerising Cabo de Sao Vicente - Europe's most south-westerly point and an unforgettable part of your holiday. Be sure to take your camera - the views are incredible! You'll follow one of the Algarve's most beautiful walking trails to historic Lagos, before rounding off your holiday in style, walking the cliff-tops to some of the area's finest beaches.
Group Description
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. Please note: the walking and luggage transfers included in this tour are subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date.
Eating Drinking
All continental breakfast and 5 evening meals included. The local speciality from the sea is the Barnacle Perceve, this is not taken from the bottom of boats but the bottom of submerged local cliffs, it is harvested by hand using a dangerous and traditional method, which involves one of the two collectors dangling by a rope from the top of the cliffs! They are a bit of a delicacy not too dissimilar to mussels. Away from the sea the dried hams, salamis and chouriço are as good as anything that Spain or Italy can produce. The strange sounding bread sausage Alheira is very good, invented by the Portuguese Jews during the Inquisition to avoid persecution, bread and non-pork products are used. Good quality meat is also on the menu, beef and pork are of a high quality and lamb in season is superb. Vegetables are plentiful and with big harvests of almonds and oranges, fruits are in good supply alongside another local vegetable, the sweet potato. The Algarve’s other surprise is the quality of cheese; from mild to strong using cow, goat or sheep milk there is a great range of cheeses for all tastes, Queijo de Cabra do Algarve, is a particular favourite.
Transportation
We have included transfers on some of the days to either take you to the begining of your walk or back to your hotel after a day of walking.
Joining Instructions
Flight inclusive prices include our standard flights/transfers Flight times change according to day of the week and season so please check for your departure what the standard flights are. Customers booking flight inclusive packages have transfers included to Sagres at 12.30 or 17:30 and back to Faro at 10:45 or 15:45 Alternative transfersIf you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
Transfer Details
Standard transfersFor flight inclusive packages transfers included from Faro airport at 12:30 and 17:30 and back to Faro airport at 10:45 and 15:45. Transfers are available at a supplement for land only bookings.
Weather Information
Coastal areas of Portugal can be known to be quite windy.However, the climate here is long, warm summers and mild winters, with most rain falling in the winter months, but possible in all other months. Seasons are marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, in the summer and in the autumn. Heat waves can push up temperatures between mid June and September.
Spending Money
— You will need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all drinks. We suggest €25 per day to cover a few drinks if not then €10 per day. On the days where lunch or dinner is not included expect to spend €10-€15 for lunch and €15-€35 for dinner.

Highlights