🔗 Share this article

“I never object to repeating the same hike repeatedly,” commented our guide, crouching beside a cluster of flowers. “Every visit, there are fresh discoveries – these flowers were not here yesterday.”

Rising on stems no less than two centimetres in height and adorning the ground with snowy flowers, the observation that these star of Bethlehem flowers emerged suddenly was a striking demonstration of how quickly things can grow in this rolling, central area of the Algarve, the national forest of Barão de São João.

It was also encouraging to discover that in an zone swept by wildfires in last fall, species such as arbutus trees – which are flame-retardant because of their minimal resin – were starting to regrow, in proximity to highly inflammable eucalyptus, which impedes other fire-retardant trees such as oak. Local helpers were being enlisted to help with rewilding.

Tourist Figures and Inland Appeal

Tourist arrivals to the Algarve are increasing, with this year showing an rise of over two percent on the last year – but the bulk of arrivals make a beeline for the seaside, even though there being far more to explore.

The shoreline is certainly rugged and stunning, but the region is also keen to promote the appeal of its inland areas. With the creation of throughout the year walking and mountain biking paths, plus the addition of ecological celebrations, interest is being shifted to these just as captivating sceneries, featuring peaks and lush woodlands.

The Algarve Walking Season runs a series of five hiking events with general topics such as “water” and “historical sites” between the start of winter and April. It’s expected they will motivate visitors year round, supporting the local economy and helping stem the tide of the youth moving away in pursuit of opportunities.

Culture and Wilderness Combine

The excursion to the national forest fell during a weekend festival with the subject of “expression”, based around the white-washed community to the northwest of Barão de São João.

In addition to guided hikes, departing from the cultural centre, no-cost workshops ranged from learning how to make organic pigments, to performance sessions, meditative movement and drawing. There were two image galleries running plus a number of other kid-focused activities, such as nature hunts and crafting seed dispensers.

Even before our informal daytime screen-printing workshop at the community space, our hike into the forest with Joana had the feeling of an sculpture walk. Signposted at the outset by monoliths adorned with depictions of rural workers, it was dotted throughout the path with more modest, installed stones showing instances of wildlife, such as small mammals and feline predators – the wild cat’s community increasing, thanks to a rescue facility based in the fortified settlement of Silves.

Picturesque Trails and Natural Charm

As the route wound up to its highest point, the menhir (standing stone) on the Pedra do Galo walk, it became more lushly forested with the resinous scent of conifer. There was a richness to the air and hard, golden-colored droplets protruded from tree trunks. Limestone shone on the ground and minute frogs rested by pool margins, vocal sacs pulsing. In the far away, windmills spun against the blue expanse.

Francisco Simões, the tour leader the subsequent day, was again eager to emphasize that these interior zones can be explored throughout the year. Signposted trails, created in the past few years, are branches of the Via Algarviana, a trail that stretches from the frontier for a significant distance, continuously to the coast, and many are now linked to an app that makes route planning simpler.

Nature Tourism and Artistic Experiences

Francisco founded sustainable travel company Algarvian Roots in a few years ago and offers experiences from birdwatching to day-long accompanied treks, all with the similar goals as the AWS: to highlight the area by way of engagement, education and traditional knowledge.

The artistic element is present, as well – his mother, potter Margarida Palma Gomes, had taught us to paint azulejos, the distinctive traditional colored glazed tiles found all over the nation, previously on a event class. Tours to her atelier, in addition to to a local potter, can further be arranged through Algarvian Roots.

Francisco encouraged us to do our bit for the sector by consuming plenty of good wine capped with cork

After an superb midday meal of meat dish and vegetable in A Charrette in Monchique, a quaint hill settlement nestled between the Algarve’s tallest mountains, the tall Fóia and high Picota, Francisco took us down steeply stone-paved lanes and into a narrow path, where an elderly pair relaxed in the sun at the doorstep of their home.

A steep path took us into the forest, the earth scattered with acorns. At this spot, Francisco was enthusiastic to show us protected species, Portugal’s symbolic plant and conserved under regulation since the 1200s. Not just are they naturally flame-retardant, but their malleable bark is a means of revenue for inhabitants, who gather it to sell to other {industries|sectors