The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, is a territory with a great diversity of habitats and landscapes. Depending on the area, the coast can be formed by rocky cliffs, sandstone cliffs or gold sand beaches. The inland can also be very diverse depending if the ground is made up of Calcareous, Greywacke, Granite Rock or Clay.
The varied geography of the region gives rise to extraordinary biodiversity
Algarve is the perfect region to enjoy hiking, being in contact with nature exploring the local fauna & flora, discovering Cultural/Historical details and appreciating outstanding views, all year round
Rocha da Pena Walk
Dreizung, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Location: North Loulé
Duration: Half day
Price: 160€/private tour
Maximum 8 people
Rocha da Pena Walk
This walk will take us to Rocha da Pena in the Algarve inland, a prominent rocky outcrop of the Algarve. Its exceptional geography gives rise to an impressive diversity of fauna and flora located on a plateau with breathtaking views.
A mixed woodland of carob, wild olive and holm oaks cover the outcrop; extremely rare plants grow here, like the Doronicum plantagineum subsp. tournefortii
Includes:
Nature guide
Binoculars
Birds Field guide
Fauna and Flora Field guides
Transports
Insurances
Taxes
Timing recommendation: All year round
This activity is suitable for visitors staying in Olhão / Faro area. Visitors staying outside of this area, an alternative meeting point will be arranged.
The most wonderful and informative walk through nature
Mike M.
Simply a wonderful experience with Luis. We were gently led through his incredible store of knowledge of fauna, flora and history, especially of this area. He is a native son and it lives through him and his enthusiasm. Beautiful place and spectacular views thrown in. Change sthe way you see the Algarve. Very highly recommended.
Hanging Valleys Trail
Location: Coast of Lagoa
Duration: ≃ 6 hours
Price: 220€/private tour
Maximum 8 people
Hanging Valleys Trail
©Miguel Vieira from Redwood City, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In this walk, the landscape is dominated by the stunning geology of the yellow warm-colored Coastal Cliffs hanging over the turquoise Atlantic Ocean waters. Outstanding views and breathtaking landscapes are available from any corner of one of the highest rated hikes in Europe. The sediment accumulation sites located in coastal valleys that were once used by the fishing communities of the region to access the sea are nowadays considered the most beautiful beaches in Europe that delight tourists.
©Rsantus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Includes:
Nature guide
Binoculars
Birds Field guide
Fauna and Flora Field guides
Transports
Insurances
Taxes
Timing recommendation: All year round
This activity is suitable for visitors staying in Olhão / Faro area. Visitors staying outside of this area, an alternative meeting point will be arranged.
Guadiana River Walk
Location: North of Castro Marim
Duration: Half day
Price: 160€/private tour
Maximum 8 people
Guadiana River Walk
This walk takes us to the Southwest of Portugal, a territory where the main element is the Guadiana River. It shapes the landscape and the culture of the region. This River headwater is located in the south of the Madrid region and works as the border between Spain and Portugal in its last stretch.
The Flumen Anas (Roman period) or the Wadi Ana (Arab period), meaning the Ducks River, is a hot spot of biodiversity, that we are going to explore during this walk. The footpaths on the river banks and the river waters were heavily used for the smuggling of goods, during the Portuguese dictatorship period, by local families.
Includes:
Nature guide
Binoculars
Birds Field guide
Fauna and Flora Field guides
Transports
Insurances
Taxes
Timing recommendation: All year round
This activity is suitable for visitors staying in Olhão / Faro area. Visitors staying outside of this area, an alternative meeting point will be arranged.
Significant !
RWRWRW1989
We were not expecting such a great experience exploring this amazingly unique part of the world with our guide. Luis has a depth of knowledge and deep connection with the Algarve and its surrounding landscape. I feel like I crammed in so much new knowledge that I could take on my further travels.
Highly recommended, even if you feel like nature trails and hiking is not your thing. It gives you a deeper appreciation of the culture in the area.
Serra de Monchique Trail
Location: Monchique
Duration: ≈ 6 hours
Price: 220€/private tour
Maximum 8 people
Serra de Monchique Trail
The trail starts in Fóia, the highest point of Algarve at 902 m, and crosses the typical landscape of Monchique Mountain. Is a Syenite Granite massif. This lush landscape of rolling hills, leafy woods and flowing streams is aptly referred to as the garden of Algarve.
Wonderful views and a variety of habitats that support a great biodiversity, fill this mountainous place with an extraordinary beauty.
Includes:
Nature guide
Binoculars
Birds Field guide
Fauna and Flora Field guides
Transports
Insurances
Taxes
Timing recommendation: All year round
This activity is suitable for visitors staying in Olhão / Faro area. Visitors staying outside of this area, an alternative meeting point will be arranged.
Discovering inland Algarve
401ck
Travelling inland from Faro and discovering the different types of vegetation as the area changed and we went into the hills. The walk and discovering the flora and fauna. Luis’ storytelling and knowledge. The region is beautiful, but we also learnt about the challenges. An absolutely brilliant experience.
Full Moon Walk
Photo credit: Kevin Burkett on VisualHunt
Location: North of Olhão
Duration: ≈ 2 ½ hours
Price: 120€/private tour
Maximum 8 people
Full Moon Walk
Join us for a night walk on a little mountain. In this beautiful grey calcareous rock scenario that gets silvery when lit up by the moonlight, we will try to spot some wildlife and discover some of this region’s flora. Listen to the sounds of nature at night, enjoy the cooler temperature and full moon night amazing atmosphere.
Photo credit: Kevin Burkett on VisualHunt
Includes:
Nature guide
Binoculars
Telescope
Birds Field guide
Fauna and Flora Field guides
Transports
Insurances
Taxes
Timing recommendation: On full moon, the day before and the day after. Every month.
This activity is suitable for visitors staying in Olhão / Faro area. Visitors staying outside of this area, an alternative meeting point will be arranged.
Unusual and interesting hike
Draoude-Selrahc
We made the night hike by full moon in Cerro de Cabeça. This was an amazing unusual experience, which we highly recommend.
The guide was genuinely interested, interesting and nice. We learned a lot about trees, rocks, wildlife, and the history of the region. We also observed the sky with binoculars.
No hiking experience required. Make sure to wear good shoes and bring a bottle of water.
This is a Covid safe activity and the guide explains all the measures taken to make it safe.
Padern Castle Walk
©José Alberto Ribeiro Castelo de Paderne Blogspot
Location: North of Albufeira
Duration: Half day
Price: 160€/private tour
Maximum 8 people
Padern Castle Walk
We will walk along the Agibre River while exploring its fauna and flora. Discover the moorish Paderne Castle, built of Taipa, an ancient technique of construction, very rarely used in military architecture in Portugal. It’s one of the original 7 castles present in the shield of the Portuguese flag. Its location had strategic importance, as it controlled the ancient Roman road, crossing the Algibre River, connected with the Via Lusitanorum.
Includes:
Nature guide
Binoculars
Birds Field guide
Fauna and Flora Field guides
Transports
Insurances
Taxes
Timing recommendation: All year round
This activity is suitable for visitors staying in Olhão / Faro area. Visitors staying outside of this area, an alternative meeting point will be arranged.
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Nature and History tour at Paderne castle
Hans P.
Professional tour, even during mid-summer. Castle of Paderne and the nearby ecotrail.
Excellent preparation and ecological details provided by the guide. Walk through a typical Algarve landscape.
Visit to a typical Portuguese restaurant and authentic regional meal concluded the tour. The tour company provided us with the transport to and from Paderne. Highly recommended for people who want to know more about the Algarve and its nature.