Genuine Algarve: Discovering Portugal Away from the Coastline

I rarely dislike taking the same walk again and again,” commented our guide, kneeling beside a group of flowers. “Every visit, there are new things – these blooms hadn’t been in this spot the day before.”

Rising on shoots no less than two centimetres in height and adorning the ground with white petals, the observation that these delicate blooms emerged in a single night was a beautiful testament of how swiftly things can regenerate in this undulating, interior area of the Algarve, the protected woodland of Barão de São João.

It was also reassuring to discover that in an area ravaged by blazes in the autumn, varieties such as strawberry trees – which are fire-resistant because of their reduced sap – were beginning to regrow, in proximity to highly combustible eucalyptus, which impedes other slow-burning trees such as oak. Local helpers were being gathered to participate with rewilding.

Tourist Statistics and Inland Appeal

Travel figures to the Algarve are increasing, with this year recording an growth of over two percent on the prior year – but the majority arrivals head straight for the coast, although there being so much more to explore.

The coastline is certainly untamed and dramatic, but the locale is also enthusiastic to promote the appeal of its inland areas. With the creation of throughout the year hiking and cycling routes, along with the launch of ecological celebrations, attention is being directed to these equally engaging sceneries, including hills and thick forests.

The Algarve Walking Season hosts a set of five guided walk programs with loose themes such as “water” and “ancient ruins” between late autumn and early spring. It’s anticipated they will encourage tourists throughout the year, supporting the regional economy and contributing to slow the exodus of young people leaving in pursuit of employment.

Art and Nature Blend

The excursion to the national forest coincided with a two-day event with the subject of “expression”, based around the pale-colored hamlet to the northwest of Barão de São João.

As well as led walks, setting off from the community center, free events extended from discovering how to make organic pigments, to drama classes, mindful exercise and sketching. There were two photography exhibitions on show together with multiple other kid-focused pastimes, such as leaf safaris and making seed dispensers.

Even before our informal afternoon printmaking session at the cultural centre, our walk into the forest with Joana had the atmosphere of an sculpture walk. Marked at the outset by upright rocks decorated with images of traditional agricultural folk, it was studded throughout the path with more modest, fixed stones depicting examples of wildlife, featuring hedgehogs and feline predators – the lynx’s population increasing, due to a rescue facility based in the historic town of Silves.

Scenic Trails and Natural Splendor

As the path climbed to its summit, the menhir (standing stone) on the Pedra do Galo trail, it became more lushly forested with the resinous scent of conifer. There was a richness to the breeze and firm, honey-toned bubbles swelled from bark. Limestone shone on the ground and tiny frogs perched by pond edges, throats throbbing. In the distance, windmills spun against the blue expanse.

Francisco Simões, the tour leader the following day, was again eager to highlight that these inland areas can be discovered year-round. Designated walks, established in recent years, are branches of the Via Algarviana, a route that extends from the Spanish boundary for a significant distance, the entire route to the ocean, and many are now connected to an digital tool that makes wayfinding more straightforward.

Sustainable Travel and Local Activities

Francisco established nature tour operator Algarvian Roots in the recent past and provides activities from wildlife spotting to day-long accompanied treks, all with the same goals as the AWS: to showcase the region by way of engagement, learning and traditional knowledge.

The creative link is here, also – his family member, ceramicist Margarida Palma Gomes, had taught us to paint azulejos, the characteristic traditional colored decorative panels found all over the country, previously on a cultural activity. Excursions to her studio, in addition to to a regional artist, can also be arranged through Algarvian Roots.

Francisco encouraged us to play our part for the trade by consuming ample amounts of good wine sealed with cork

After an superb midday meal of pork cheek and greens in A Charrette in Monchique, a pretty upland village nestled between the Algarve’s tallest mountains, the tall Fóia and high Picota, Francisco took us down precipitously historic roads and into a narrow path, where an elderly pair basked outdoors at the entrance of their house.

A steep trail led us into the woods, the terrain strewn with tree seeds. In this location, Francisco was enthusiastic to point out protected species, Portugal’s emblematic species and legally protected since the medieval period. Besides are they inherently flame-retardant, but their malleable covering is a source of revenue for inhabitants, who collect it to market to other {industries|sectors