What to expect
Walking Days
5 days of fully guided walking
Stunning Landscapes
Discover the spectacular Algarve on foot
Tavira
One of the most picturesque towns of the Algarve
About this trip...
What's Included
Room for sole use
Half Board – breakfast daily in hotel, evening meals in local restaurants
Drinks included with evening meals-
Welcome drink
5 fully guided walking days
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals when not included in the itinerary
- Activities when not included in the itinerary
Itinerary
- Arrive in Portugal
- Zimbral Walk
- Santa Luzia & Tavira Island Walk
- Day at Leisure
- Manta Rota to Cabanas Walk
- Santa Catarina Ceramica Walk
- Fuzeta to Tavira Walk
- Departure Day
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive In Portugal
Day Two: Zimbral Walk
- Coach Transfers AM/PM 10km / 15 mins
- Approx Walking Distance 12.6 km
- Approx Walking Time 3 Hours
- Ascent/Descent 67m/260m
- Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Three: Santa Luzia & Tavira Island Walk
Today our walk starts and finishes at our hotel. We enjoy a fantastic walking day of variety around the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Included is a fascinating boat ride between Tavira & Tavira Island where we walk along Tavira Island’s beach. This is regarded by many as one of the finest in the world with its vast stretches of golden sand and sparkling blue waters. Our route takes us through Tavira’s ancient salt pans which date back thousands of years. The itinerary also includes a stop in the characterful fishing village of Santa Luzia, famous for Octopus, where we can enjoy its glorious waterfront. During the walk, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch.
- Approx Walking Distance 17km
- Approx Walking Time 4 Hours
- Ascent/Descent 20m/20m
- Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Four: Day at leisure
Take a well-earned rest and perhaps relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel, or take a stroll and explore Tavira. Alternatively, there will be an opportunity to book an optional excursion to explore further afield. Perhaps the Castro Marim in the Reserva Natural do Sapal, famous for their flamingos.
Day Five: Manta Rota to Cabanas Walk
We take our bus to the start of today's walk. Our route today is a classic coastal walk following the inner shoreline where we visit the iconic and idyllic village of Cacela Velha protected by a small walled fortress and famous for its incredible views and expansive sandy beach. We then continue to the popular resort of Cabanas where incidentally gets it name from the traditional cabanas fishing huts which started being built here in the 18th Century.
- Coach Transfers AM 15km/20 mins
- Coach Transfers PM 7km/10 mins
- Approx Walking Distance 17km
- Approx Walking Time 4 Hours
- Ascent/Descent – minimal
- Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Six: Santa Catarina Ceramica Walk
Today we enjoy an inland walk through one of most beautiful and interesting valleys in the Algarve. Santa Catarina is one of the centres for the production of carob, almond, fig, olive oil and medronho, and the surrounding countryside we walk through reflects this. We will also pass tiny brick and tile works, whose hand-made craft dates back to before Roman times. During the walk, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch. Our transfer bus will meet us at the end of the walk.
- Coach Transfers AM/PM 15km/20 mins
- Approx Walking Distance 11.75km
- Approx Walkimg Time 3 Hours
- Ascent/Descent 190m/190m
- Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Seven: Fuzeta to Tavira Walk
Today we take our bus to start our last day of lovely walking following part of the Algarve’s Ecovia trail. We pass by old estates with orange, figs and almond orchards, with our route taking us through the salt pans of Fuzeta where we are able to appreciate the rich birdlife and nature of the area. During the walk, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch. The route takes us back to our hotel where we finish our final day of walking.
- Coach Transfers AM 15km/20 mins
- Approx Walking Distance 17.2km
- Approx Walkimg Time 4.30 Hours
- Ascent/Descent minimal
- Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Eight: Departure Day
Today we check-out of our hotel and say goodbye before transferring to Faro Airport.
Accommodation
The Maria Nova Lounge Resort Four-star
Facilities include
Room includes
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort.
Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
