Sunflower Books: Landscapes of ALGARVE: WALKS AND CAR TOURS

Algarve, 5th edition (2007); updated 17/07/2008

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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).

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)