Come on this relatively flat walk in the heart of the Natural Park of Ria Formosa, notice the labyrinth of channels and marsh vegetation, be dazzled by the sun reflection on the water, breathe in the sea air loaded with salt, cross with a Chameleon (Chamaleo chamaleon), spot aquatic birds and listen their distinct sounds, observe activity with local traditions such as the salt production.
The Ria Formosa is formed by coastal dunes string of islands and peninsulas and the lagoon. Part of the lagoon is permanently immersed, and a significant part emerges during the low tide. The ebb and flow of water together with the shallowness of the water creates conditions to foster a great biodiversity of crustaceans, molluscs, annelids, fishes and their main predators, the birds.
Birds that can be spotted include the Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), the Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), the Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), the Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio porphyrio), the Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnenus), the Collared Pranticole (Glareola pranticola), the Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and the Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrius). The Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), the Fiddler crab (Uca tangeri) and the Spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes) are examples of animals of this area.

As in ancient times, nowadays the Ria Formosa still works as an anchor for local populations as it facilitates several economic activities such as fishing, aquaculture, canned fish, salt production, touristic activities, sand extraction and goods transportation.
Photo credit: Rui Ornelas / Visual hunt / CC BY
Distance: 5,7 km
Type: Circular, flat route
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 30€/pax
Map

Photo credit: JerryL2008 / Visualhunt.com / CC BY