Published! Walking the Algarve’s Wild West

SELF-GUIDED SOLO HIKING IN THE ALGARVE

“The world reveals itself to those who travel on foot.” ― Werner Herzog

Long a popular pastime in European countries, self-guided solo hiking vacations are a relatively new travel concept to North Americans. While day hiking does require some measure of physical fitness, this is a pursuit for people of any age so long as they take it at their own pace. The trails offer a mix of coastal paths, tracks of dirt or gravel roads, expansive fields, and woodland trails. Overall, the terrain is gently undulating with just a few steeper climbs and descents.

The routes are all clearly waymarked and the daily itinerary is easy to follow. On average the hikes average five to eight hours per day over 12-18 kilometers. It’s important to note that you are under no obligation to hike the entire week. The itinerary does allow some personal choice and flexibility with shorter circular trails, so some stages can be optionally changed to better suit your individual preferences, or physical abilities. There were two scheduled optional days to do shorter hikes, or to allow for some rest & relaxation. Either way, if your feet ever feel too tired, you can always take a relaxation day, or two, at a nearby beach.

Link to story: HERE