Walk Ferragudo

Rambling in the West Algarve

About This Walk

Rambling in the West Algarve is an exciting Self-Guided walking tour in a walker’s paradise destination. The climate is perfect for hiking for most of the year, and the countryside teems with wildlife, bright-coloured flowers, and picturesque villages. The coastline boasts impressive rock formations, cliffs, secluded beaches, and amazing blue seascapes. The base of our tour is Portimão, on the banks of the River Arade, a town with a low-key and relaxed ambience. The adjoining Praia da Rocha is one of the most scenic and famous beach resorts in the Algarve.

 

Highlights:

• Spectacular hikes in the cliffs, hidden caves, and grottoes following scenic Ocean trails
• Tranquil and surprising walks in the lush green hills
• The protected area of Alvor Estuary is rich in wildlife and especially interesting for birdwatching
• A fantastic itinerary of walks developed and perfected by local resident Portuguese tour leaders
• The hospitality and warmth from the local population.
• The amazing Portuguese gastronomy and wines
• Includes all the information and services you need, from detailed route notes to a 24h hotline

Uwalk Difficulty Icon One
Uwalk Difficulty Icon One
Uwalk Difficulty Icon Two
Uwalk Difficulty Icon Two
Portimão to West Algarve
(60 Km)
7 Nights
€685 pp

Rambling in the West Algarve is an exciting Self-Guided walking tour in a walker’s paradise destination. The climate is perfect for hiking for most of the year, and the countryside teems with wildlife, bright-coloured flowers, and picturesque villages. The coastline boasts impressive rock formations, cliffs, secluded beaches, and amazing blue seascapes. The base of our tour is Portimão, on the banks of the River Arade, a town with a low-key and relaxed ambience. The adjoining Praia da Rocha is one of the most scenic and famous beach resorts in the Algarve.

The Best Walking Holidays With Friends In The West Algarve

The walks in this carefully crafted self-guided tour will let you discover the West Algarve in a very unique way. Fabulous walks along the coast featuring spectacular rock formations, caves, beautiful quiet beaches, rugged cliffs with unforgettable seascapes, and quaint fishing villages.

Unexpected inland walks in places where life revolves around the seasons, mostly on non-touristic paths, off the beaten track, giving us an insight into the traditional Algarvian way of life as we walk through ancient farmland, smallholdings, and fragrant orchards.

The beautiful River Arade and its fertile banks, leading to Silves the ancient Moorish capital of the Algarve.

Charming Blue Houses In The West Algarve, A Breathtakingly Beautiful Part Of The World For Walking.

The sheltered Alvor estuary is a natural haven with a wide array of habitats and rich biodiversity. The walks use quiet paths and lanes to take us through a variety of landscapes from salt marshes, farmland, pastures, and orchards. It’s great for birdlife observation, so pack your binoculars!

There we can appreciate the ever-changing blues and greens of the inner lagoons, as well as the beautiful Rocha Delicada (‘Delicate Rock’ or ‘Elegant Rock’), an ochre rock formation.

The scenic village of Ferragudo, an excellent example of a typical fishing village, with an array of colourful fishing boats and whitewashed houses lined in cool blue.

This West Algarve self-guided walking tour really does have something for everyone, and you’ll be spoilt by the variety and beauty of the hiking locations.

The light and weather on the West Algarve are fantastic, even during the winter months, making of it a lovely region for walking and nature activities. In the small cobbled streets of picturesque villages, you’ll find whitewashed houses, cafes, and a tranquil way of life.

Algarve Coastal Walk

Whichever part of the West Algarve your walking trails leads you, you will find welcoming, friendly people, excellent local wines, and delicious food, from the freshest of fish to regional dishes packed with flavour.

To get under the skin of the West Algarve and to see it at its best, enjoy our cherry-picked walks, for they combine all the ingredients for a perfect walking holiday while giving a real sense of place.

Surely is for it that we offer this walking tour: Rambling in the West Algarve, based in Portimão!

Our self-guided walking tours are thoroughly designed and include all the information you need, from detailed maps and route notes to a 24h hotline. The accommodation, airport transfers, and transports are included in the walking program.

Day 1 – Arrival in Faro

Fly to Faro and transfer by road to Portimão, taking approximately 1h.

Day 2 – Rocha Delicada

This walk is centred on the Alvor estuary. This protected natural haven contains a wide array of habitats. The walk uses quiet paths and lanes to take us through a variety of landscapes from salt marshes, farmland, pastures, and orchards. It’s great for birdlife observation, so pack your binoculars.
We can contemplate the ever-changing shades of blue and green along the secluded inner lagoon, as well as the beautiful Rocha Delicada (‘Delicate’ or ‘Elegant Rock’), an ochre promontory formed during the Miocene period.
Embedded in its calcareous rock face, it is possible to detect some marine fossils from this remote period, mainly composed of oyster, scallop, and clam specimens.
The walk finishes at the attractive village of Mexilhoeira Grande with cafés and restaurants for a welcome cooling drink. If there is time before the train back to Portimão enjoy a stroll through the village.

Distance: 8 km  Ascent/descent: minimal

Day 3 – Estômbar

This walk starts in the traditional Algarve village of Estombar. We follow the valley of the river Arade visiting the Ecological Park of Fontes, an attractive beauty spot on the way.
The route itself enables us to explore this river valley following quiet tracks and paths so we can appreciate the diverse habitats and wildlife.
We finish in Silves, the ancient capital of the Algarve. We have time to visit this historic town before returning to Portimão.

Distance: 10 km  Ascent/descent: minimal

Day 4 – Ferragudo

From Ferragudo´s Light House we follow a stunning coastline westwards to Portimão & Praia da Rocha. We visit en route the charming and very traditional village of Ferragudo before continuing into Portimão itself to finish at the stunning Praia da Rocha.

Distance: 10 km  Ascent/descent: minimal

Day 5 – Figueira

This imaginatively designed walk in the rolling hillsides just inland from Portimão enables us to visit and appreciate an area hidden from normal tourism, giving us an insight into the traditional Algarvian way of life as we walk through ancient farmland, smallholdings, and the “dry” orchards so typical of this area, to finish in the attractive village of Mexilhoeira Grande.

Distance: 12.6 km  Ascent/descent: +/- 60m

Day 6 – Alvor – Rocha

Today we offer 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 wildflowers.

Distance: 9.2 km  Ascent/descent: minimal

Day 7 – Vale de Lama

Starting from the village of Odiáxere we walk through gentle countryside to the salt pans on the Alvor Estuary with its abundant birdlife. We then parallel the extensive Lagos beach where, at any time, we can drop down to the sea for a rest and a swim. We crown the day with a visit to Lagos with its beautiful waterfront and old historic centre.

Distance: 10 km  Ascent/descent: minimal

Day 8 – Individual departure or extra days

At a convenient time, departure to Faro Airport or Faro Train station.

 

Price per person Twin Room Single Room
Season 1 €685 €840
Season 2 €745 €960
Season 3 €1075 €1495
Season 4 €880 €1190
 

Single Supplement: €150

 

Season 1 = 01/01/23 to 25/03/23 & 01/11/23 to 15/12/23

Season 2 = 26/03/23 to 25/06/23 & 01/10/23 to 31/10/23

Season 3 = 26/06/23 to 15/09/23

Season 4 = 16/09/23 to 30/09/23

 

 

What’s Included:

Accommodation
7 nights in a twin room for two pax (3 stars hotel)
Single supplement available with a surcharge
Extra nights available on request

Meals
7 buffet breakfasts at the Hotel
Half-board available with surcharge (buffet dinner at the hotel without drinks)

Transport
Meet & Greet Airport Transfer from airport/train station/bus station to the hotel on the first day
Transfers from the hotel to airport/train station/bus station on last day
Transports to walking/activities sites, if applicable

 

Your information pack includes:
Accommodation vouchers
Taxi vouchers
Emergency contact numbers
General information about your holiday and destination
List of the hotel(s)
Directions for arriving at your first hotel, if applicable
Detailed maps and route notes in your own mobile with App Routes & Maps (or detailed travel documents 1x per room)
Travel Advice
Complimentary luggage transfer if there is more than one hotel
Assistance 24/7

 

Exclusions:

Any services not listed as included
Flights to and from Portugal
Meals, tips/gratuities, baggage, or personal insurance (except as outlined)
Admission fees to castles & attractions or events (except as outlined)
Personal expenses
Supplements

Hotel WHE 3* in Portimão

The 3-star Whe Hotel Portimao lies nearly a 25-minute walk from the Praia dos Tres Castelos Rocha Beach, and offers proximity to a ferry port. At the hotel you’ll find 24-hour front desk assistance, room services and ironing.

This Portimao hotel has 71 rooms with a balcony and a seating area. Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels along with a mini-fridge-bar and coffee/tea makers are provided. Some rooms are fitted with a bath and a shower.

The accommodation is in the centre of Portimao, within a short distance from Visconde de Bivar. Portimao Arena is approximately 17 minutes’ stroll away, while Portimao Jesuit College Church is just off this modern hotel. A 25-minute stroll will take you to Beach Tres Castelos. Whe Hotel is 0.5 km away from Portimao airport.

Whe Hotel Portimao

Additional extras or upgrades are available upon request at extra charge.

Are you interested in this tour?

We're here to help!

Related Tours