Guided Walking Holidays

Our guided walking holidays will allow you to discover the Alentejo region through the eyes of the local people.

As well as enjoying the exercise taken in the stunning landscape of the natural park you will be immersed in the local traditions and cultural secrets. The enthusiasm of our guides is infectious and they will transmit their passion for the local fauna and flora. With no fixed itineraries we will adapt to satisfy our clients requirements.

“The fabulous coastal views, the variety of terrain/countryside we walked through, the opportunity to spend time in places that were a true reflection of life in the area rather than a tourist view.” Merv and Helen Wilson

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Guided Walking Holidays

Price:
499E - 638E per person Group size dependant
Holiday Type:
Guided Walking. Casa da Eira Guesthouse
Standard:
Mid Range/Good Value
Duration:
7 nights
Walking Days:
6 days walking
Meals:
1 welcome dinner
Difficultly:
Easy/Moderate
Routes:
Average 3/6 hours a day 13km to 25km a day
Trails:
95% off road, 30% vehicle supported
Group Size:
6 people minimum
When:
All year except July/August

The Programme

Day 1:
Transfer from airport to the guesthouse. Briefing.
Day 2:
Ribeira de Calces, Vale do Ferro and Pego das Pias. Calces and Torgal streams are tributaries of the river Mira, and fine examples of the extended Mediterranean oak woodlands that long ago completely covered this region. Uphill to Calces through scented fields of rockroses to enjoy the fantastic views lost into the horizon. The rest of the day will be spent under the canopy of the wooded riverbanks and then descending into the gorge of Torgal. We will not miss a stopping at the spectacular lagoons of Pêgo das Pias. Duration: 6h Difficulty: easy
Day 3:
Sand Dunes and Cliffs It is possible to walk all along the coast, from Porto Côvo to Odeceixe, walking on top of the cliffs and up and down on the beaches. Difficulty mainly lies on the ground firmness. Routes are flexible and the choice is all yours, but the blooming dunes of Cavaleiro are the best place to watch the storks nesting on the top of the rocks. The magnificent lighthouse in Cabo Sardão; the picturesque tiny fishing harbours: Portinho do Canal, Lapa das Pombas, Entrada da Barca or Azenha do Mar; the deserted beaches of Brejo Largo or Tonel are also interesting…places not to be missed, but the stunning views are the real feature of these routes. Duration: 3-6h Difficulty: moderate
Day 4:
Pomar, Ribeira do Gavião and Vale de Feixe In the interior of the county there are many small villages sparsely populated or almost abandoned. Some of them will be discovered on this route. Heading off from Pomar, we shall walk along the Gavião valley to the village and climb up to the mill to enjoy the excellent view. Returning through the Feixe valley. Duration: 6h Difficulty: easy
Day 5:
River Mira, from Odemira to Troviscais and Torgal valley River Mira is navigable up to the town of the Odemira and forms large lakes where a wide range of birds feed and breed. From Odemira we walk down stream close to the river to reach the small village of Troviscais, where the cork oak is the countryside highlight. Returning along the Torgal valley, a Mira tributary, under a thick wooded canopy. This is a perfect spot to watch turtles and kingfishers, badgers and, if we are very lucky, an otter. Duration: 6h Difficulty: easy
Day 6:
Portela da Fonte Santa along the river Mira Up stream from Odemira, the river Mira is narrow and shallow, and flows slowly through a forest along a wide valley. We head off up stream to reach Portela da Fonte Santa. This is an easy route … No major difficulty apart from some minor climbing and a few crossings through fords. Duration: 5h Difficulty: easy
Day 7:
San Domingos and Penedo de San Luís S. Luís, situated on the old North South route, was once a town of some importance. Surrounded by orchards and vegetable plots, it is crowned by the hill range Serra de S. Luis. We start by climbing up the Cerro de São Domingos, up to the forest watchtower and one of the most spectacular views of this area over the river Mira and to the sea. As we go down, it is possible to return to the village to make this a short day walk, or we can go up again on a very steep slope to the Penedo, an enormous rock where the views are even more spectacular. Duration: 3-5h Difficulty: moderate

What's included?

  • 7 nights accommodation in a twin/double room with en suite facilities.
  • Nature Guide.
  • Daily Transfers.
  • 1 welcome dinner.
  • 24-hour assistance.
  • Personal Insurance.
Not included:
  • Airport Transfer.
  • Others meals not mentioned

Highlights

  • Sparsely populated region
  • Traditional villages
  • Heritage
  • Interaction with local people and habits
  • Spectacular views: cliff tops, deserted beaches, dunes…
  • Fauna: storks, turtles, badgers, kestrel, kingfishers, otter…
  • Flora: endemic, Atlantic and Mediterranean species…
  • River Mira: forms large lakes where a wide range of birds feed and breed
  • Mediterranean and cork oaks woods
  • Coastal lagoons
  • Typical gastronomy: fresh fish (monkfish, squid, sea bass, codfish…); black pig and delicious Alentejo wines.