I rarely dislike repeating the same hike over and over,” commented the local guide, bending near a cluster of blossoms. “On every occasion, you can spot different details – these flowers were not present previously.”
Rising on shoots at least 2cm tall and adorning the soil with snowy flowers, the observation that these overnight wonders appeared in a single night was a beautiful demonstration of how swiftly life can regenerate in this undulating, inland part of the Algarve, the public forest of Barão de São João.
It was also encouraging to discover that in an area affected by forest fires in the autumn, varieties such as fire-resistant trees – which are fire-resistant because of their low resin content – were commencing to bounce back, together with highly inflammable eucalyptus, which hinders other fire-resistant trees such as oak. Community members were being gathered to participate with rewilding.
Visitor numbers to the Algarve are increasing, with this year showing an growth of over two percent on the prior year – but the majority visitors head straight for the coast, even though there being so much more to discover.
The shoreline is certainly rugged and breathtaking, but the region is also keen to highlight the charm of its upland zones. With the establishment of year-round trekking and cycling routes, plus the addition of nature festivals, attention is being drawn to these just as captivating sceneries, featuring peaks and lush wooded areas.
The Algarve Walking Season runs a series of several hiking events with general themes such as “rivers and streams” and “ancient ruins” between late autumn and early spring. It’s hoped they will motivate explorers year round, strengthening the regional economy and helping slow the exodus of younger generations departing in search of employment.
The excursion to the protected parkland fell during a weekend festival with the subject of “creativity”, centered on the white-washed community to the northwest of Barão de São João.
Along with organized treks, setting off from the cultural centre, free events ranged from discovering how to make plant-based dyes, to performance sessions, tai chi and sketching. There were two photography exhibitions running plus a number of other child-friendly pastimes, such as nature hunts and making wildlife feeders.
Prior to our casual afternoon art printing session at the local venue, our walk into the forest with Joana had the vibe of an art trail. Marked at the start by monoliths adorned with depictions of local farmers, it was decorated throughout the path with smaller, permanently placed stones illustrating examples of wildlife, such as hedgehogs and wild cats – the wild cat’s population increasing, due to a rescue facility based in the historic town of Silves.
As the route climbed to its peak, the menhir (ancient rock) on the Pedra do Galo path, it became more thickly wooded with the aromatic fragrance of conifer. There was a fullness to the breeze and hard, honey-toned globules protruded from tree trunks. Limestone glistened underfoot and tiny amphibians rested by water’s edge, throats throbbing. In the background, wind turbines cartwheeled against the horizon.
Francisco Simões, our guide the subsequent day, was again enthusiastic to point out that these inland areas can be discovered year-round. Designated walks, established in recent years, are branches of the Via Algarviana, a path that runs from the Spanish boundary for 300 kilometers, all the way to the coast, and several are now tied to an app that makes route planning more straightforward.
Francisco set up ecotourism outfit Algarvian Roots in a few years ago and organizes activities from wildlife spotting to full-day led walks, all with the similar objectives as the AWS: to highlight the region by way of engagement, learning and traditional knowledge.
The artistic element is evident, also – his parent, ceramicist Margarida Palma Gomes, had instructed us to paint azulejos, the iconic traditional colored decorative panels observed throughout the nation, a couple of days before on a cultural activity. Tours to her atelier, along with to a local potter, can further be organized through Algarvian Roots.
Francisco advised us to contribute for the industry by enjoying plenty of fine wine stoppered by cork
Following an excellent dining experience of local specialty and vegetable in A Charrette in Monchique, a quaint hill settlement nestled between the Algarve’s most elevated summits, the 902-metre Fóia and 774-meter Picota, Francisco took us down precipitously historic roads and into a narrow path, where an elderly pair basked outdoors at the doorstep of their residence.
A inclined track guided us into the woods, the ground covered in tree seeds. In this location, Francisco was keen to introduce us to oak trees, Portugal’s national tree and legally protected since the medieval period. Not just are they naturally fire-resistant, but their malleable outer layer is a source of income for inhabitants, who collect it to market to other {industries|sectors
A software engineer and tech writer passionate about open-source projects and AI advancements.
