Rambling in the West Algarve

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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