Since the Algarve offers a large number of accommodations, the stages can be shortened, extended, or completely redesigned almost as desired. The table above provides an overview of possible stage planning. The stage planning presented above has the advantage of staying overnight away from the major tourist hotspots.
Information about stage 1 length: 27 km (to Olhos de Água) Duration: 7:00 to 8:00 hours Elevation profile: flat, see elevation profile Faro-Alvor Stage 1 of the long-distance hike starts directly at the airport Faro - The Ria Formosa Natural Park is just 2 km from the terminal. Those who land in the morning can start their vacation with a half-day hike without any additional transfer time, for example, to Quarteira. Quarteira is the first town on the hiking route and is located approximately...
Information about stage 2 Length: 20 km (to Praia dos Salgados) Duration: 5:00 to 6:00 hours Elevation profile: flat, see elevation profile Faro-Alvor Stage 2 of the long-distance hike leads from Olhos de Água via Albufeira to Praia dos Salgados beach. The hiking route is beautiful: the rocky Algarve is revealed here in all its glory. The 20 km hike leads past countless bays framed by spectacular rock formations. You alternate between walking directly along the sandy beach and following small trails above the rocky...
Info about stage 3 Length: 18 km (to Carvoeiro) Duration: 5:00 to 6:00 hours Elevation profile: flat, see elevation profile Faro-Alvor Stage 3 of the long-distance hike in the Algarve offers several small adventures: a river must be crossed barefoot, a narrowing connecting tunnel to the next beach may require crawling, and a secret beach is waiting to be discovered! The stage starts at the Lagoa dos Salgados lagoon, along which a roughly 1 km-long wooden boardwalk leads, with a birdwatching hut in the middle...
Information about stage 4 Length: 17 km (with boat ride), 23 km (without boat) Duration: 5:00 to 7:00 hours Elevation profile: flat, see elevation profile Faro-Alvor Stage 4 of the long-distance hike takes you past many rocky coves and beaches in the first section between Carvoeiro and Ferragudo. The first section is comparable in scenery to Stage 3, but it was rather rainy during my own tour, so I didn't get to enjoy it much. Note: Shortly after Carvoeiro, the direct beach path is closed (as of...
Information about stage 5 Length: 11 km (to Mexilhoeira Grande station) Duration: 3:00 hours Elevation profile: flat, see elevation profile Faro-Alvor Description follows... Safety note: At the end of the hike, just before the train station, you'll need to cross a railway bridge over the tracks. This takes about 30 seconds at a normal walking pace....
The airport Faro is so close to the city center that you can reach the airport without a bus or taxi: If you don't have a suitcase as luggage but are traveling with a backpack, you can reach the airport on foot. The distance between the train station Faro and Faro The 5-km-long route takes you along a scenic route through the lagoon landscape of the Ria Formosa. About half of the route runs along the beautifully landscaped "Ecovia do Litoral" cycle path.
The embedded map shows the hotels I stayed in. As a further planning and orientation aid, I've added markers at kilometer intervals. These appear as soon as you zoom in on the map. The route always runs as close to the sea as possible, but I deviated from this at the following points (kilometer markers appear on the map as soon as you zoom in): at km 2: Due to the unique landscape: path through the lagoon instead of...
The coastal hike in the Algarve is generally fairly flat, with the highest elevation being approximately 50 meters above sea level. The sections of the coastal hike that lead through the lagoon landscape are almost entirely level. However, the cliffy sections so typical of the Algarve repeatedly climb and descend (beach - rocky plateau - beach - rocky plateau). In total, the entire route involves 1.120 meters of ascent and descent. The entire long-distance hike is shown in a three-dimensional view...
The following travel report and the beautiful photos were provided to us by Rico. Thank you very much! Dear Mr. Ehlers, thank you very much for the design of your website and the many tips, suggestions, and for providing the maps. I followed your recommendation and spent a week in the Algarve from January 03.01rd to 10th, 01.2019. Below, I would like to share my impressions and experiences: This tour offered everything you would expect from a coastal hike. Even if you...
