I rarely object to taking the familiar trail repeatedly,” remarked Joana Almeida, bending next to a group of plants. “Every visit, you can spot different details – these flowers hadn’t been present the day before.”
Growing on stems a minimum of a couple of centimeters tall and dotting the ground with white petals, the fact that these star of Bethlehem flowers appeared in a single night was a striking demonstration of how quickly nature can regenerate in this undulating, central section of the Algarve, the national forest of Barão de São João.
It was also encouraging to find out that in an region affected by wildfires in September, varieties such as fire-resistant trees – which are less flammable thanks to their minimal resin – were starting to recover, in proximity to highly flammable eucalyptus, which impedes other slow-burning trees such as oak. Volunteers were being enlisted to help with ecological restoration.
Visitor numbers to the Algarve are rising, with 2024 registering an increase of over two percent on the previous year – but the bulk of arrivals make a beeline for the beach, despite there being far more to discover.
The beachfront is undoubtedly untamed and stunning, but the locale is also eager to highlight the charm of its upland zones. With the creation of throughout the year hiking and cycling paths, plus the introduction of ecological celebrations, focus is being shifted to these similarly engaging landscapes, including hills and dense woodlands.
The Algarve Walking Season runs a set of five guided walk programs with broad topics such as “water” and “historical sites” between November and April. It’s hoped they will motivate explorers year round, strengthening the local economy and helping reduce the outflow of young people departing in quest of employment.
The trip to the national forest coincided with a weekend festival with the focus of “expression”, focused on the traditional hamlet in the northwest of Barão de São João.
In addition to guided hikes, departing from the local hub, free events ranged from mastering how to make organic pigments, to drama classes, tai chi and artistic rendering. There were several photo displays available as well as multiple other family-oriented activities, such as nature hunts and making bird-feeders.
Prior to our casual midday screen-printing workshop at the local venue, our hike into the forest with Joana had the feeling of an creative path. Indicated at the outset by standing stones adorned with representations of rural workers, it was dotted throughout the path with more modest, permanently placed stones illustrating types of wildlife, including small mammals and feline predators – the latter’s community recovering, thanks to a rescue facility based in the historic town of Silves.
As the path wound up to its highest point, the menhir (ancient rock) on the Pedra do Galo trail, it became more lushly forested with the resinous scent of conifer. There was a ripeness to the atmosphere and hard, golden-colored droplets swelled from bark. Limestone glistened on the ground and minute frogs perched by pond edges, throats pulsing. In the distance, windmills cartwheeled against the blue expanse.
Francisco Simões, the local expert the following day, was similarly enthusiastic to emphasize that these upland regions can be explored throughout the year. Designated walks, developed in recent years, are extensions of the Via Algarviana, a route that stretches from the frontier for 186 miles, the entire route to the ocean, and many are now tied to an application that makes route planning simpler.
Francisco established nature tour operator Algarvian Roots in 2020 and organizes experiences from avian observation to day-long led walks, all with the identical objectives as the AWS: to promote the locale by way of immersion, enlightenment and local understanding.
The creative link is evident, as well – his parent, ceramicist Margarida Palma Gomes, had guided us to design azulejos, the characteristic traditional colored glazed tiles seen throughout the nation, two days earlier on a cultural activity. Visits to her workshop, as well as to a regional artist, can additionally be organized through Algarvian Roots.
Francisco urged us to contribute for the industry by enjoying ample amounts of fine wine capped with cork
After an superb dining experience of local specialty and greens in A Charrette in Monchique, a quaint hill settlement nestled between the Algarve’s two highest peaks, the 902-metre Fóia and 774-metre Picota, Francisco took us down steeply stone-paved lanes and into a alleyway, where an elderly pair sunned themselves at the front of their home.
A inclined trail took us into the woods, the terrain covered in acorns. At this spot, Francisco was eager to show us cork trees, Portugal’s emblematic species and safeguarded by law since the 1200s. Not only are they naturally flame-retardant, but their malleable covering is a origin of revenue for locals, who collect it to trade to other {industries|sectors
