Sunflower Books: Landscapes of ALGARVE: WALKS AND CAR TOURS

Algarve, 5th edition (2007); updated 15/6/2010

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Updates for walks and car tours (drives) in Algarve given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book and want to "upgrade" to the latest edition at half price, click here.)

Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably in hard copy, by post, to Sunflower Books, PO Box 115, Exeter EX2 6YU (or if you prefer, by e-mail, to mail@sunflowerbooks.co.uk).

BUSES
Lagos - discounted bus card: You can obtain a discounted bus card from the Lagos bus station for town service buses (A Onda buses). You have to pay about 3 euros for the card initially and you have it charged up to a value of your choice (I think the minimum was 10 euros). The card can be used to pay reduced fares for all A Onda buses, which include the services to Porto de Mos, Praia da Luz and Burgau. One card can be used to pay the fare of any number of people and can be recharged at the bus station if required. (User, 11/09)

Car tour 1: As there is a reasonable bus service to Aljezur from Lagos, we decided on a visit. As your book says, there is a splendid view from the castle. We also found a good short walk through the wide river valley, which would take about an hour and a half there and return. It was ideal on a bright but rather chilly and windy day. It is very peaceful and lush with lots of flowers (in May). Directions: On going up to the castle, skirt round the right-hand side of Misericordia church (museum of sacred art) down a concrete lane. Continue ahead as you merge with another track which joins from the right. Follow the clear track along the side of the valley. The track meanders along then comes to a rather abrupt halt. Return the same way,or, alternatively, instead of going back up the concrete lane by the church, continue along the earthen track for about 10 minutes. Meet a well-cobbled road and follow it back to the village. (User, 11/09)

Picnic CT2a Barragem do Arade: We visited the reservoir in September 2007. The place was totally deserted except for a sitting out area on a pontoon floating on the lake. There was no indication as to how to reach the sunloungers perched precariously on the edge. No boats were in sight. The restaurant was derelict and the former water park overgrown. Agreat disappointment as the lake is really quite beautiful. (e-mail, 10/07)

Walk 4: The road is now fully surfaced to Hortas do Tabual... At the Ingra Campsite (1h10min) the track/path to the right is now very faint but still there, about 20 metres before the gate. (User, 7/08) + We found route finding from Praia do Zavial to Praia das Furnas hard to follow as there are so many paths. The path down to Praia das Furnas should also come with a warning to take care, as it is so steep. (User, 6/09)

Walk 5: The starting track is now wide and new, I assume, for the construction and the servicing of the five wind turbines built along the left-hand side of track. Pass by the 4th turbine, and at the 5th turbine descend to the left (there is NO red and white mast now)... At the 2h4min-point the track has been widened for the construction some concrete pylons. This part became very confusing, and we jsut made a turn left at the bottom of the hill, and made our way up the hillside, and ended up on the correct track. I suspect, if you do not turn left at any junction this will be the case... Also, halfway along the road from Pe do Frio to Chilrao there is an excellent new picnic spot complete with tables and waterfall. (User, 7/08) + Contrary to the last user update (7/08) the picnic site between Pe do Frio and Chilrao is already considerably overgrown even though it is only February 2009, and whilst not usable, it can no longer qualify as "excellent". (e-mail, 2/09) [Editor's note: It is possible that cutting back of strong winter growth does not take place until later in the year - this user visited in January/February. Although Algarve is a year-round destination, it still has a 'season'. Let us hear from you if you visit in late spring or summer; please tell us if the site was overgrown or not.] + We were able to follow the route as described from 2h04; the left turn works as a previous writer expected. The picnic spot is still overgrown (end of May 2009) and looks though they don't intend to maintain it. We enjoyed it though; very quiet and seats still usable. (User, 6/09)

Walk 7: We were confused at the start of this walk. We took the signposted Cruz dos Madeiros road. The sign said the village was 1km but the walk directions allowed 2 minutes to reach it - so we took a judgement on location of the village which was wrong. We linked up with the walk later on & enjoyed it all. (User, 6/09) + I just ignore the sign and turned right 2 minutes later, which was fine. The path which forks right uphill after 21min is very overgrown and not obvious. If you find yourself walking in front of an unoccupied house, you have come too far. The track is along the wall just above the house. After 1h30min, turn right at the high point of the track before you start to descend (the orange arrow is missing. (User, 6/10)

Walk 8: The cafe mentioned towards the end of the walk by the edge of the river offering views towards Silves was open this week (Feb), and the enthusiastic owner says she intends to keep it open all year round. It does not however offer much by way of food, only the usual range of hot and cold drinks. (User, 2/09) + At the Y junction after Clinica do Falacho, make sure that you take the left hand fork to pass the house on your right. If you take the right fork you will encounter a pack of dogs (loose) and one of the larger dogs is aggressive and bites! As a dog lover it came as a surprise, as all the other dogs we met on lots of the walks were noisy, but friendly. (User, 4/09)

Walk 9: At the 1hr 16min point, the palm tree is no longer there. (User, 6/10)

Walk 10: We had a nasty experience. After picnicking at Senhora da Rocha, we were mugged at knife-point by 2 youths as we were negotiating the ravine where you have to scramble down one side and up the other. They grabbed my bum-bag and took 60 euros, but gave us back our passports and tickets. They then went off up the ravine on a moped. We were the only walkers in the ravine at that moment, although we had seen other walkers there during the day. We were not physically hurt, so I doubt the police will do anything (we reported the crime). (User, 3/07) + I hope walkers have not been put off this delightful flower-filled walk by the unfortunate mugging incident in 2007. We have done this walk 15 times now, with no problems, although we are now more careful and look out for other walkers at the ravines. (User, 6/10)

Walk 11: The path from the 1h21min point (on leaving the summit of Pico Alto) is now a track which leads to and beyond three new wind turbines. ( This track has been driven through what was an area of environmental interest and home to a variety of orchids, some not too commonly found elsewhere!). Stay with the track until reaching the third and (as of Dec 2007!) final turbine. The original path can then be located to the left of the track and continues along the left-hand side of the ridge - rejoing the notes at around the 1h31min point.* After the 1h34min point, a few strong paths now lead in the general direction of Pico Alto village. Just keep heading across towards telegraph wires and then mainly left of the rooftops of the village houses which soon come into view. Don't be tempted to wander too far over left or right. (*The track itself continues round to the right to emerge on the road below the village of Pico Alto. If you take this, turn left uphill to reach the 1h40min point in the walk, where you turn right to continue.) (Authors, 12/07) + The road has now been tarmacked after the 28min point. We always bring secateurs to keep the first path clear, as it is a lovely old "green lane". I like to think it has improved over the years we have walked it. (User, 6/10)

Walk 12: We have just tried Walk 12 and the route was blocked by a massive fence running at right angles for a long way. We walked along the fence and back to Soidos de Baixo. The fence looked quite new. (User, 5/08) + Can confirm that a fence has been constructed across the path. This is approx at the top of the rise as described on page 95. Couldn't proceed & had to return same way. (User, 4/09) + I can confirm that a fence has been constructed across the path as described (09/09). However, we could get through the fence on the outward walk (as it looks like others have done), so were able to get to the Rocha dos Soidos. On the return leg we met the fence again, with no way of getting through, so we walked along the fence to where we got through on the outward walk to complete walk. (User, 10/09) + The fence is still there; it has barbed wire on top. (User, 12/09) + The problems with the fence are unchanged, but at least it is possible to get to the trig point by just walking outside the fence, then turning left where the fence ends. (User, 6/10)

Walk 14: The track is now concreted from around 46min to the 50min point and again for 2min from the 55min point. After the 1h20min point the track has become very stony and difficult, just before the valley floor is reached. This can be particularly bad after heavy rain. An easier route, if you wish to avoid negotiating this section, is to turn right at the 1h12min point, where Shorter walk 1 enters, and follow the track of this alternative walk along the contour of the hillside, ignoring any turn-off tracks, for around 11min - to the 28min point in the main walk and then back to Monte Seco. Once back at Monte Seco, continue by picking up the notes for Shorter walk 3 at the 19min point to return to the start. (Authors, 12/07) + After the 50min point, the track is now tarmac,as is the one after the 55min junction. We had no problems with the descent to the river, even this March after all the rain. (User, 6/10)

Walk 15: We always include the signposted diversion (from the clearing at the 19min point) to the Northern Belvedere. It only takes a few minutes and is very easy, with orchids in spring, and gives good views over the Quinta do Freixo valley. (User, 6/10)

Walk 16: On the main walk, much of the track is now tarmac after the 30min point. The same applies on the Shorter Circuit after the 47min point right to the main road. (User, 6/10)

Walk 17: There has been asphalting on some of the tracks. (User, 12/09)

Walk 19: The track at the 59min point is now more distinct and follows the route of the path. Stay on the track along a saddle and stay on the track, keeping left, where a track now continues straight ahead downhill; you will continue along the saddle. Leave the saddle in the dip by taking the strong path downhill to the right, to the field below. (The track now stays ahead then swings downhill right towards the river and along the river bank.) (Authors, 12/07)

Stop Press: Bordeira Circuit
We did this lovely walk last March. This March we got to the start point but there was a recent looking note pinned to the board in the lay-by in English, German and Portuguese saying "Do not attempt this walk, you will be
attacked by bees". (User, 4/07) + In March I posted a comment to you about a notice at the start of this walk concerning bees. We have recently retuned from the Algarve where we completed the Bordeira Circuit walk. The notice about the bees had gone. We saw a new set of beehives early on in the walk but were not troubled in any way. The walk is easy to follow and I am pleased to say the all the notice boards had been restored (2 were missing a year ago) (User, 11/07)