The Via Algarviana Trail is a 299 km/185 mile long distance hiking trail that goes through the spectacular Algarve region of Portugal.  There are three main sections:  each takes about eight days to hike, so you can do the entire trail, or just do one of the sections.  They are all beautiful!  There are also several spur trails off of the main trail that may be of interest.  Be sure to allow extra time at the end of your hike to explore the stunning, rugged cliffs along the coastline and its many popular beaches.

Our guests went with my affiliate One Foot Abroad who can make all of your arrangements so all you have to do is hike!  They plan your itinerary, book your lodging, provide maps and instructions and move your main luggage so all you have to do is carry your daypack.  Since you will be hiking in rural settings without many opportunities to buy food, you also get a packed lunch along with a hearty breakfast!  Plus, OFA offers 24/7 assistance in case you have any questions.  And they offer ATA followers an exclusive 5% discount off of any of their self-guided tours.  Use Promo Code ATA5 when you book.

Learn about the Via Algarviana long distance trail in the Algarve, Portugal two ways:  in the above podcast, you’ll hear Josh talk about how he hiked the entire distance.  In the podcast below, you will here about Margaret’s 8 day section hike of the middle part, and about Kit’s day hiking and otherwise exploring the Algarve region.

Why Hike the Via Algarviana

What makes the Via Algarviana special?  What I like about it, is that you get to see rural Portugal away from the bustling tourist areas.  You’ll be walking through mountains, pastures and scenic fields.  You’ll see lots of almond, orange, carob, cork and olive groves.

In the winter, you may see massive flocks of migrating birds, like the terns Josh witnessed.  In spring, it’s time for the many roadside wildflowers.  Be on the lookout for wild orchids and  Western Iberian Peonies!

This is not an overly busy trail, so you may not see many other hikers on the trail, especially if you go during the winter.  So this makes for a great hike for when you want some solo time.  But what you will see are locals going about their daily lives, so you’ll get a true feel for Portugal.  Josh had to share the road with a herd of cows.  And once, he saw a loose horse that appeared to think it was a dog, herding some cows – and the local farmer confirmed his suspicion!

Portugal is one of the more affordable Western European countries to explore.  Plus, the food is fantastic and the locals warm and friendly!

Where is the Via Algarviana Long Distance Trail

The Via Algarviana is in the southern and western part of Portugal through the fabulous Algarve region.  The trail starts in Alcoutin, which you can reach via the Lisbon or Faro airports and then a bus.

The trail ends in Cape St Vincent, the most westernly point of the European continent on the Atlantic Ocean.  You’ll see the dramatic tall coastal cliffs at the terminus of your hike.

While you’ll mostly be hiking in the countryside, you go through many villages.  The Via Algarviana organization (a great website!) breaks the trail into fourteen segments.  My affiliate One Foot Abroad has created three self-guided sections that you can do in eight days apiece.  Of course, if you want to take rest days or some of the side trails, they can help you with that, too.  OFA can also arrange for an airport transfer if you’d like.

Section One: Alcoutin to Salir   8 Days  72 miles/116 km  

Section Two: Loule to Vale Fuzeiros  8 Days  53 miles/85.5 km

Section Three:  Monchique to Sagres   8 Days   63 miles/101 km

Check with One Foot Abroad for recommendations for your particular needs, but if you need to choose just one section, the middle one has great accommodations, lots of wildlife and spectacular panoramic views.  Of course, the entire trail is splendid, and many may prefer the third section so they can end at the striking coastline.

How Hard is the Via Algarviana Trail

While you definitely have some ups and downs, this is a fairly managable trail for fit people.  That being said, you should still train.  One of the biggest issues you will find is that, while you might train to hike 10-12 miles a day, we often don’t have time to practice doing those long miles several days in a row.

On long distance hikes, you need to train not just for elevation and daily endurance, but also get your feet, legs, lungs and back used to getting up each day, even when your body is tired, and putting on your day pack to hike another 10-12 miles.  Figure an average of around six hours per day.

Also, much of the trail is on quiet unpaved rural roads.  This means that the ground doesn’t ‘give’ that much.  I like to wear slightly large shoes that I can slip in an extra padded insole and then wear thick wool socks for additional padding.

To best prepare your body for a long distance hike, or any adventure, please consider calling my friend and affiliate Becki of TrailBlazer Wellness for a free consultation.  Then you can decide if having Becki custom design a training program you can do from home – with the equipment you already have – is a good plan for you.  Mentiona ATA to get an exclusive 10% Discount!

When is the best time to hike the Via Algarviana

The weather in southern Portugal is pretty darn nice most of the year.  They get about 300 days of sunshine, and even in July, the temperatures rarely exceed 85 degrees F/29C!

That being said, at the coast, during the summer, the beaches are swarmed with Europeans on holiday.  Plus, it is cooler the rest of the months.

So, to me, the best time to hike the Via Algarviana is from September to June.  It’s more crowded in the shoulder seasons, so if you want more solitude, consider going from October through March.

But be sure to pack gloves and a thermal jacket if you are hiking in the winter (I pack them all the time:  you can get chilly when you take a break and you are sweaty, and if somehting happens and you end up spending the night outside, you’ll be glad you did).  Morning temps can be chilly!  Also, some of the accommodations may not have central heat so you may want to pack your woolies, too.  Also pack a rain jacket or poncho, especially in the winter.

July and August is considered ‘Off Season’, but you can still hike then (but also remember that you are often fully exposed to the sun!).  Consider packing an umbrella for shade protection.

There is slight variation in the popular months of the three sections.  The most popular months are:

Section I: May, June, September, October

Section II: April, May, June, September

Section III: May, June, September, October

I refer you to One Foot Abroad’s website for more details.  It’s also a good idea to check out the monthly weather averages for Alcoutin, Silves and Sagres.

Particularly in the winter, the mornings and late days may be chilly, so wear layers.  I always like to be prepared for all weather when I hike.  If you want to see my packing list, you can check it out HERE.

Margaret inadvertently hiked during Carnival.  Depending on your wishes, this could be great or too busy (and hard to get into resturants).  It’s a good idea to check to see if there are any major events going on when you want to travel, whether you want to time it FOR the event or AWAY from it!

Who Can Hike the Via Algarviana

Unlike many of the adventure travel vacations covered at Active Travel Adventures, the Via Algarviana is a great vacation for LOTS of people:

Solo hikers (if you are looking for peace and serenity in particular, go in the winter)

Couples

Friends

Families

While you could plan this trip on your own, I would recommend taking advantage of the years of experience in knowing the area that One Foot Abroad can offer.  The tours are quite reasonable!  OFA offers a wealth of information to help you fine tune your vacation.  [And don’t forget, they offer great adventures all across Europe!]  They also offer 24/7 support while you’re there.

When Josh went, there had been some major wildfires (see the partially burnt trail marker!).  OFA was able to redirect him away from the burnt out areas:  both the trail AND lodging!  When you try to plan yourself, you simply do not have that local ‘boots on the ground’ knowledge – and don’t learn about ‘issues’ until it’s too late.

I had a similar problem on the West Highland Way in Scotland.  The one and only lodging was closed for renovations, so I was transfered ten miles away at the end of my day’s hike to comfy accommodations, and then whisked back to my stopping point after breakfast the next day.

Lodging on the Via Algarviana

Most days you are hiking from one village to the next, with rural countryside in between.  So it is VERY important that you make your accommodations for the Via Algarviana in advance!

The available accommodations on the Via Algarviana vary considerably.  In some towns, you will be in a lovely inn (maybe even with a pool to soak your tired muscles!).  Other times you will be in a small room, almost like a boarding house.  It runs the gamut depending on the village (another reason why One Foot Abroad’s deep knowledge of the trail and what’s available is super time saving!).  You’ll mostly be staying in 2-3 star lodging.

Mention ATA5 at checkout to get a special Active Travel Adventures 5% discount on your Via Algarviana hike (or other walking holidays through their sister company, Follow The Camino ( ALL things hiking and biking of the El Camino).

Plus, at no additional cost to you, you’ll be helping to support the podcast and this website and helping to keep it ad free.  Thanks!  Kit

What a view from Margaret’s lodging on the Via Algarviana booked by One Foot Abroad!

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Our guest, Josh (pictured above), walked the entire 299 km/185 mile trail with my affiliate One Foot Abroad making the arrangements for him.  You can read his blog about his adventure HERE.

Along the way, Josh saw tens of thousands of migrating arctic terns – see above.

And eventually, he made it to the coast and the terminus at Cabo San Vincente.

If you would like to hike all or part of this magnificent trail, please check out One Foot Abroad.  And if you use them to plan this or any of their hiking and biking European holidays, use our exclusive One Foot Abroad  Promo Code ATA5 to get 5% OFF!  You’ll be saving money and at no additional cost to you, you’ll be helping to support this site and the podcast.  Thanks!  Kit

Section Hiking the Via Algarviana

Margaret came on the show to tell us about her section hike with her grown daughter on a One Foot Abroad self-guided tour.  They hiked the middle section from  Loulé to Vale Fuzeiros.  OFA picked them up at the Faro airport and transported them to their Loulé hotel.  They hike a spur trail and meet up with the official Via Algarviana on their second day of hiking.  You can see their complete itinerary HERE.

You can get access to the FREE ATA Via Algarviana Travel Planner when you sign up for the once a month newsletter (no spam promise – unsubscribe anytime).  You can do so HERE.

Benagil Caves in the Algarve

The best way to see the magnificent cliffs and coastline of the Algarve is by boat!  There are lots of comapnies that can take you out to see them and hopefully some dolphins as well.

It can be dangerous trying to walk there because if you time the tides incorrectly, you can get trapped by the waves crashing against the cliffs.

This amazing photo is by Marian78ro  – Thanks, Marian!  Absolutely stunning!!!  Below are some of my own.

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