What to expect
Easy to Medium Grade Walks
Enjoy classic walks along the Western Algarve Coast
Local Walking Guide
Experienced & informative guide
Diverse Landscapes
Mix of coastal, mountain & inland scenery
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About this trip...
What's included?
Airport transfers
Twin/Double room for sole use-
Twin Centre Holiday staying 3 nights near Portimao / 4 nights Lagos
Breakfast & Dinner Daily including water, soft drinks, draft beer, house wine, tea and expresso
Welcome drink
6 guided walks
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Passports and visas
- 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 Faro
- Estômbar and Silves Walk
- Seven Valleys Walk
- Alvor and Praia da Rocha
- Ponte da Piedade and Lagos
- Barão De São João
- Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente
- Depart Faro
What you’ll be doing
Day One: Arrive Faro
Day Two: Estômbar & Silves Walk
- Approx Walking Distance 6 miles
- Ascent +126m
- Descent -130m
Day Three: Seven Valleys Walk
Today we take a fantastic coastal walk taking in one of the most famous and dramatic sections of the Algarve coastline. Towering cliffs, sea caves and grottos, superb sandy coves and spectacular headlands including the much photographed Benagil domed caves lined with beautiful sandstone strata. We finish along Carvoeiro’s renowned elevated boardwalk.
- Approx Walking Distance 5 miles
- Ascent +138m
- Descent -135m
Day Four: Alvor & Praia da Rocha
Today we have a full programme with a fantastic coastal walk taking in the superb sandy beaches and dramatic headlands between Alvor and Portimão, including the much photographed beach at Praia da Rocha, one of the best in the Algarve. The rock strata are particularly varied and very colourful, from white limestone to red sandstone. These different rocks support a wide variety of flora and, in spring, there are impressive displays of wild flowers.
- Approx Walking Distance 7 miles
- Ascent +112m
- Descent -91m
Day Five: Ponte da Piedade & Lagos
We continue our coastal theme with a spectacular walk starting from the small village and resort of Luz. On this walk, we follow a coastal path to Lagos, visiting Ponta da Piedade along the way, where the famous sea caves are found and visited by many small boats carrying visitors from nearby Lagos. The walk finishes in Lagos, leaving plenty time to sightsee in this attractive town that was an important Roman settlement called 'Lacobriga'. A variety of ancient Roman & medieval ruins remain, including the old slave market. The town centre, which is enclosed within 5th Century walls, offers a modern and well equipped marina that dominates the seafront, with the town now firmly positioned as a centre for tourists from all over the world.
- Approx Walking Distance 7.3 miles
- Ascent +197m
- Descent -218m
Day Six: Barão De São João
We head back inland for a walk that takes in the villages of Barão de São João and Barão de São Miguel. These charming, rural and peaceful villages are characterized by the typical white houses with a coloured border around the windows and doors. This and the traditional Algarve chimneys demonstrate the many years of Moorish occupancy of the area. We have an opt out at lunch time allowing people to relax and explore the fascinating village of Barão S. João.
- Approx Walking Distance 8.5 miles
- Ascent +192m
- Descent -192m
Day Seven: Sagres & Cabo de São Vicente
Our final day on the Western Algarve fittingly culminates in Sagres, the most westerly town in the Algarve. This area of intensely dramatic cliffs, opening onto a vast horizon of sea and sky, was the last sight of Europe for the explorers setting forth on their fearsome voyages beyond the horizon. We will also visit the nearby Cabo de S. Vincente, whose spectacular cliffs were once believed to be the end of the world.
- Approx Walking Distance 8.5 miles
- Ascent +192m
- Descent -192m
Day Eight: Depart Faro
After breakfast, you may have some free time to do any last minute local shopping and sightseeing before heading to the airport for your onward flight.
Accommodation
Walking The Enchanted Western Algarve
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
- 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.
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
