A nice way to travel?
Don’t get too excited- we’re walking, of course! On our recent trip to the Algarve, we picked up a guide to walking trails in the local Tourist Information Office. It’s available to download online, but with more than 30 walks and over 100 pages, it’s much easier to pay 7 euros for your own copy. I’ve included the link, just so you can see what you’re missing.
Today’s walk is based on ‘Trail of Tides’, a shortened version of no. 16 in the guide. I didn’t undertake the whole 19kms, not because I’m lazy, but because we had already, that day, driven down the coast from the Alentejo and a riverside walk there. Nothing too strenuous was planned.
A paddle might be nice, before we begin?
The walk starts in the tiny village of Carrapateira, just off the west coast of the Algarve. A cluster of cafes, a surf shop and a church- who needs more? Oh, and there’s an old windmill too! At the southern end of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentina protected nature park, a small stream, the Ribeira da Carrapateira, flows out through the dunes.
You walk out of the village through a straggle of houses, in the direction of the coast. It’s a tarmacked road initially, and as it winds up the hill you could be forgiven for wondering why you hadn’t brought the car. My husband did!
But then, you’d miss views like this
And more importantly, this!
As you crest the brow of the hill you begin to appreciate just where you are
On top of the world, with the whole of the Portuguese coastline rolling away from you on either side. At this point you exchange tarmac for dirt track, but still occasional cars continued to bump past us.
There are plenty of boardwalks to take you closer to the cliff edge
Where the tantalising glint of the water beckons
And the coast curves invitingly ahead
Despite the beauty of the views the sun was beginning to lower in the sky, and it still felt like a long way back to our beginnings. Perhaps it would have been a wise move to bring the car, and park at each of the viewing points, as many seemed to do? But that would have been cheating, wouldn’t it?
The lookouts are at strategic points
In the distance, the rocks at Pontal
Carrapateira point, or Pontal, has a jutting headland that made it a likely place for shipwrecks in the past. The rock formations look deceptively similar to Cabo de S. Vicente, the south west tip of Portugal, eleven miles further south. The rapid southbound current that adds to the danger also creates perfect conditions for surfing.
Today the water is deceptively calm
Alluring Amado, in the distance
Some days everything goes to plan, and some it doesn’t. The famed surfing beach at Amado was still far ahead. We knew that following the trail would take us there, but then we’d have to head inland, back to the village, in gathering gloom. The joy of this particular trail is that there are alternatives. Just beyond the headland the trail splits in two. The left hand path will fairly swiftly bring you back to the village, or you can carry on down the coast.
The red cliffs tumbling away
Reassuringly, Carrapateira appears ahead
Another day I might take you to Amado, but you need to get there early. The little car park soon fills up. Carrapateira itself lies directly on the N268 coast road. The link to the walking trails guide at the top of the page will give you full details, and a few other ideas besides.
Time to relax and put that kettle on!
Yet again I have some wonderful walks to share with you this week. Many thanks to all my contributors. I greatly appreciate your loyalty, and I get enormous pleasure from sharing our walks together. For anyone who doesn’t know the format, my Jo’s Monday walk page will tell you how to join in. Just click on my logo. You’ll be warmly welcomed.
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What better way to start a new week than with a walk from Jude?
Garden Portrait: More from Nymans
Who knew Texas was this beautiful? Thanks, Amy!
Monday Walk: Walking along the lake
Drake brings so much pleasure with his little insights and views on life :
Up hill and down dale- Geoff takes us to the Bec :
The Capital Ring: Crystal Palace to Tooting
I always have fun with Pauline, no matter where she wanders :
Time to get a little adventurous with Ruth. Not too scary- you’ll like it!
Airwalk, glider and swing bridges
Deeply honoured to have Sonel joining us on the walks this week. Don’t miss!
500px Fujifilm Global Photo Walk : Damwall and Schoemansville Oewerclub
Step back in time beautifully with Suzanne (and I DO mean back!)
Pauline’s garden is a tropical paradise! No wonder she doesn’t mind going home :
Look- the tide’s out! Come on, be quick- follow Anabel!
And lastly, my favourite walk of the week. I’m sure you’ll know why!
Cobbles and Blue Sky, a Tavira stroll
I have a slight dilemma facing me this week. I hope to be with you to share more walks next week, but there may be problems. No worries! I’ll keep you informed. Meantime you might like to give those guys at Monday Escapes a shout. Have a great week, won’t you, and happy walking!
What a fantastic walk, Jo. I love the Trail Guide too. I’d love to spend a couple of months in Portugal and do all those walks. I wonder if there is such a guide for each region in Portugal. Beautiful day and pictures. 🙂
There could well be, Cathy. We’ve done a few of the walks now (including one where a dog had a bite at me 😦 )
Oh no! I hope he didn’t get you!
No, I was ok- subject of tomorrow’s walk. (now I’m giving the game away 🙂 )
Reblogged this on Spiritual challenges .
Beautiful
Thank you, kind sir 🙂 I can’t help but agree with you.
The sea shells are beautiful and it’s so deserted, is it always that tranquil?
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
I would say that it is, Suze, because it’s not so easily accessible. 🙂
Wonderful walk!!! And I think the viewpoints are best appreciated when you walk there rather than when you drive 😉
10 days ago I went up a hill with some friends to see the views. Once we reached the top, we realized we could have driven there! But I think the effort of going up helped us enjoy the views even more.
Walking is great! 🙂
I agree with you, Laia. 🙂 Maybe when I’m old (older! 🙂 ) and frail… Lovely to have your company.
Thought I’d link up with your walk this week. I just got this post from you in email…but it appears others have received it earlier??? Is this your latest post? Love those cliffs rising from the sea…what a lovely walk. Beauty in all directions.
Here’s my link: https://badfish2.wordpress.com/2015/10/10/tampak-siring-bathing-in-the-sacred-springs/
No worries- I’ve got you! I’m busy throwing together the last bit of today’s walk, linking everybody up, so it’s ok. Will read it as soon as I’m sorted. And thanks! 🙂
cool!
I have finally got my head around the second part of the Crystal Castle, but, guess what, it has turned into a 3 parter!!! https://pommepal.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/the-buddha-walk-at-the-crystal-castle/
That’s no surprise, Pauline! 🙂 I’ll hold part 3 over to the following week because we have 2 for this Monday. Will be over soon to have a wander. I’m on the second leg of a 2 part-er myself and it’s promised for today. 🙂
What a beautiful day out. Such wonderful scenery. Why would you leave (if you didn’t have to)? 🙂
I think that every time I come home to the UK 😦
What wonderful sweeping views on this coastal walk! I have a city walk for you:
https://elizabethkrallphotos.wordpress.com/2015/10/08/distillery-district-toronto/
Many thanks to you, Kaz! I love a bit of variety. 🙂
Beautiful walk, Jo. Did you run to the end of each lookout point? I don’t think I could resist.
Pretty much, yes 🙂 But we had done a LOT of walking that day 🙂
Wow…gorgeous photos and area! Makes me feel invigorated having read and walked it with you! ~Sherry
Hi Sherry and welcome! 🙂 The Algarve is my second home and on wet ones like today I wish it was my first. Lovely to share it with you!
A pleasant walk as always – I love the views over the bay and what gorgeous weather. Sigh. Wish it was like this here! Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes and giving us a shout out! 🙂 Hope next week you get to share some more walks.
You’re welcome Ting. I’ve had some technical issues this week but hope to bounce back. Pouring in the north east today x
Wild and wonderful Jo and as some have said quite like Australia. I quite liked the thought of a kayak too. Hope you coming problems are not too big. It’s taken me a while to get my head around this walk in the Crystal Castle, it was “mind boggling” and quite over whelming I took so many photos I hardly knew where to start or stop…https://pommepal.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/the-magic-of-a-dream-come-true/
Sounds promising, Pauline! I’ll be over there for some fun soon. 🙂
🙂 see you soon…
Gorgeous shots from your walk but the relax and put the kettle on part spoke to me strongly!
I can understand that, Ruth 🙂 🙂
beautiful!!
Thanks, Aletta! I love my ‘home from home’. Just wish I was there now. Wet, wet, wet here 🙂
I can just image! Wish we had a bit of rain here!
I love the idea of benches at the end of the boardwalks, so that one can rest and admire the view. 🙂
Yes- definitely a Jude place, isn’t it? 🙂
So when are we going?
I’m going 22nd November 🙂
Grrr…
😀 It certainly is!
Who knew the Algarve was so astonishingly beautiful? You’ve opened my eyes, Jo – thank you!
I’ve been singing its praises for a lot of years, Susan. It has yet to disappoint me. 🙂
What a tantalising view from the brow of the hill! Someday I will make it to Algarve and walk that coastline with you Jo! 🙂
What a treat that would be, Madhu! 🙂
What a gorgeous set of photos and loved the walk. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you very much, Karin 🙂 It’s been damp and dreary today but I have to get the boring stuff done sometime! Hope you had a good one. 🙂
A wonderful walk, Jo. That coastline is amazing, and your photos are beautifully composed to show it off. I’m glad we didn’t take the car. I had a look at the link – tantalising, and beautifully produced guide. Now I need to know, are you a 19-mile walker? If so, I’d better get out of your way – or train!
I can do 19km rather than miles, Meg, but it becomes endurance rather than enjoyment, and I don’t see the point in that. Much rather dawdle with you 🙂
Good! Because dawdle I do!
The blues in those photos are incredible! Blue sky, blue ocean and even the buildings are trimmed in that incredible blue! I would love this walk, Jo!
Being up on a cliff top, so much nearer to the sky, with that lovely backdrop is one of the greatest pleasures I have, Debbie. 🙂
The scenery and the colours are so uplifting Jo – it looks such a beautiful place and more than a hint of our adoptive homeland in SW Australia (I think it’s to do with the azure blue sky). Hopefully back on track this week – last week was somewhat stressful with a sick cat! Monsieur LC also returns from his jaunt across the Nullarbor today to help out! Your photos are great – the cliffs are impressive too! Have a lovely week 🙂
Sunk in gloom here, Rosemay, with the rain pounding the windows. I need to keep looking at photos. 🙂 See you soon!
Hope it brightens up soon Jo! 🙂
Much better today! Almost Spring if it weren’t for the fallen leaves. The seasons are definitely wierd right now. 🙂
Same here it’s been weird weather recently – we seemed to go straight into summer from winter about 4 weeks ago and have had some really hot days (it got to 34 here today before the sea breeze came in and dropped the temp back to the low 20s!). Then the wind changes direction and we get a cold front and some much cooler days – very strange!
Beautiful! I am sure the Algarve is full of wonderful walks.
No question about that, Ruth. Many thanks for taking the time to visit. 🙂
hmmm another great set of scenery…thanks for sharing. vw
There’s so much of it about! 🙂 🙂 A little damp here in England though.
Omigoodness. Always wanted to visit England, but my friends repeatedly say it isn’t so great a vacation spot, I beg to differ. Keep feeding my hunger for insight into what it looks like. vw
Love it when a trail gives you alternatives. I would love to see what the view is like from the canoe’s point of view someday.
My hands will be full of paddle 🙂 🙂
Oh and here’s my walk which we did a couple of hours ago 🙂
http://beckybofwinchester.com/2015/10/05/chipmunks-squirrels-and-a-groundhog/
Whoopee! Thanks, Becky 🙂
These are stunning photos. We must take some time out of the day job and get on some of these walks!
Work is a pain at times, isn’t it, but it’s all part of life’s rich pattern. I have some wonderful, wonderful times, but there are others. Being in Portugal is always one of them. 🙂 Thanks for your company.
what a lovely walk again, Jo! very charming coastal villages. your photographs are stunning! thank you so much for taking us to the most beautiful places! 🙂
I did see some beautiful places in my last couple of holidays, LolaWi. So lucky to be able to share them. 🙂
It took me a few minutes to realise you meant my walk sweetie, thank you 💖 Anyway I love your walk but I couldn’t do 12k in the heat, you’re a lot fitter than I am. But a breezy blue sky day would be nice. Its a wilder coastline isn’t it? I like wild, raw beaches, the roar of waves and big views. A perfect 10 😊
I think we probably only did 8km Gilly, but it seemed quite far. It was starting to cool quite a lot- that coast is wilder and definitely cooler, but beautiful too. Thanks, darlin’. 🙂
Oh you know me well Jo. I squealed at the sight of the kayak. Maybe next time? 🙂 The walk however did not disappoint. What stunning vistas and I did my best to stay off the edges of the cliffs.
If you brought your ‘tackle’ you could do a little rock climbing too, Sue. We aim to please 🙂 🙂
I may need more than carry on luggage!
That does look like a rather long walk, and I’m sure I would have wondered why we’d left the car so far behind. I’m sure your scintillating company would have soon banished that thought from my head though. Yes, I’m sure that must be Don Quixote. 🙂
If it hadn’t been the end of a long day and starting to cool off, Ad, you know we’d have done it all 🙂 (we did hop in the car to have a look at Amado, but it was ‘full’ 😦 )
Hello dear Jo! I’m back! I did post last week and then if you can believe it was asked to review a book by Harper Collins! Yikes…! So nice to see you again, sharing a cuppa, taking in the sights, having a chat 🙂 I am barely visiting other blogs at the moment as I am easing in very slowly… I wanted to let you know that I finished my first draft (woo hoo!) and now am desperate to get to the edits, but I am so glad to be back blogging. As soon as I get my you know what in gear, I’ll cobble up a walk for you (France? Devon?). Hugs and smiles to you… xx
Hello sweetheart, and welcome back! 🙂 🙂 It’s hard knowing where to start after being away but that is brilliant news about the first draft. It hasn’t taken too long once you made that last push. Amazing what you can do if you want it enough, Sherri. Looking forward to the ‘big reveal’ 🙂 No worries with the walk- whenever/wherever!
Thanks so much Jo…and yes, it is a case of really getting down to it. Now I need to keep up with it all and get it finished. A way’s to go…but it’s happening. So I keep telling myself, ha! I’ll get that walk in, you’ll see…! Thanks so much for your lovely welcome Jo…hugs to you lovely lady 🙂 xx
I’m back with some walks from my recent travels.
http://www.junkboattravels.blogspot.ca/2015/10/monday-walk.html
Hi Jackie 🙂 Hope you had a good time! Many thanks to you.
I really enjoyed walking barefoot with you in that sand .. and than that glass of lemonade on the main sq, just what I need. But I agree with Mike … a car would have been good in that strong wind. Now I can see why all Portuguese tiles have that special shade of blue. Thanks for bringing me along and for that I slowed you down.
I didn’t mind stopping for a paddle with you, Vivi. It was beautifully sheltered in the dunes. 🙂 Yes, Mike’s often right 😦 We did drive down to Amado afterwards but it was really busy and you know I like the quiet life. (mostly 🙂 ) Thanks for your lovely company! Wet here so I didn’t much enjoy our morning walk, but we ended up in a cafe, drying off with a bowl of piping hot soup. 🙂
Soup sound good to me too … You must have seen every corner of you Portuguese world. You’re such a fantastic story teller too.Always a pleasure walking with you.
Still got lots to see. Poor old legs! 🙂 🙂
I really enjoy the walk, beautiful view and great weather! You got a long list of participates of the Monday Walk 🙂 🙂 Here is mine: https://restlessjo.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/jos-monday-walk-carrapateira/
Thanks so much, Amy! Mondays aren’t Mondays without you 🙂 🙂
🙂 hug
Here is the correct link: https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/monday-walk-zilker-park/
Thank you so much, Jude! 🙂
Amy, love, your link is to Jo’s site not yours. Just thought I’d let you know 🙂
Sorry, I should have done that but there’s a pingback to Amy’s so I was lazy and didn’t. Apologies 😦
I noticed the pingback, but I often click on the actual links on the comments so thought I’d let Amy know. If you change it then you can delete these messages 😉
Good lass! I’m eating again (while I read your walk 🙂 ). Corn on the cob and guess what? Figs! All very healthy- I won’t tell you about the icecream.
Thank you so much, Jude! 🙂
Wow! Stunning walk, Jo. I think I’ll hang around here for the rest of the day. 🙂
Good plan, Jill! Wish I could 🙂 Got rained on during our UK walk this morning 😦
It is so interesting to see these photos of a part of the world I am never likely to visit. I enjoyed it very much.
Very similar to some parts of your own country, Suzanne, so I’m led to believe? I, too, doubt I’ll ever get there but maybe it doesn’t matter. The friendships will remain. 🙂
I have been to Spain and definitely saw a similarity with the Australian landscape – its something about the open spaces and the hard flat light on the plains I think.
Beautiful walk – we’ve noticed though quite a few of them in that book seem to add on too much tarmac road at the start.
This was the first we’d done, Becky, and we didn’t do it properly, but then we noticed that neither did a lot of other people. 🙂 It’s a lovely area and it was just about cool enough for walking.
We’ll definitely try it then!
Well, I may be one of those people in a car who stops at the viewing points. I suspect walking in Portugal could me akin to walking in Australia – hot! And talking of Australia this coastline is reminiscent of the Great Ocean Road. Steep cliffs, views, rocky outcrops. This is the type of place that appeals to me. I like small villages. Hope your dilemma works itself out without too much stress!
There’s often a cool breeze on this coast, Jude, but it was absent that day. Not somewhere I’d want to live but the beaches are wonderful for striding along (or dawdling, Meg 🙂 ).
Thanks, hon. I might need to confer. 🙂
Decision made?
Got a different walk for you this week (well it’s not a garden at least): https://smallbluegreenwords.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/park-life/
Guess I’ll have to leave the beaches and sea views to you for a while yet…
Got me singing I never promised you a rose garden again 🙂 Will be over shortly. Yes 🙂
Definitely reminiscent of the GOR…
That’s beautiful! Though my Orkney walk can rival your blue skies – thanks for including it. I’ll join your other walkers later – should be a good read over lunch.
I came home awash in beach photos, Anabel, with a few cliff tops for balance (or lack of 😦 ). Thanks for your company.
Looks a fabulous walk Jo 🙂
I love those cliff tops, James. Never cease to delight me. 🙂
Beautiful, but when I saw the first photo I thought we were going for a canoe/kayak ride, instead of a walk.
Haha.. me too. I was just about to slip into the swimmers 😀
We could do both? 🙂
That’s sounds like a plan.
I’ve never been kayaking but I’d love to give it a try.
I have once, very ungracefully and inelegantly. Nothing new there then 🙂
Well at least you tried! I’d never fit in one now 😉
What amazing views Jo. They are definitely well worth the walk.
It’s a glorious stretch of coastline, Colline. No hardship to keep going back 🙂
Just wonderful…
Chapeau 🙂
Danke schon, Ernst 🙂
You’ve done it really well – it’s a really nice walk; Carrapateira is beautiful! Amazing views – as we can see from the photos – and pleasant beaches. I’ve done it too – many times I must say – and it’s one of my favorite places in the Algarve.
And thank you for sharing your experience! 🙂
It’s a beautiful part of the world. Nice to share it with others who are not so lucky, and to meet someone who knows it too. Many thanks for your company this morning. 🙂
I love this walk! We just spent 3 days in Carrapateira in September. It’s one of my favourite towns in Portugal.
We were there on Friday, 4th September. Maybe you passed us in a car? 🙂 🙂 It’s a beautiful area, isn’t it?
We’ve been there from the 6th of September on and no car – just walking a lot! And lying on the beach a lot!! 🙂
I was having visions of Nelson and Trafalgar while looking at your lovely post!
I see no ships? 🙂 🙂
Looks perfect Jo – I am very envious of the canoeists and the roads look just right for my motorbike 🙂
You’d have a grand time tootling around those tracks, Robin! If only you’d been there, at least one of us would have appreciated a ride. 🙂
Ah that blue! I think we can compete for once. Here’s another section of the capital ring. http://geofflepard.com/2015/09/30/capital-ring-tooting-to-earlsfield/
Hi Geoff! 🙂 Yes, England’s done well for sunny skies just lately. Our luck ran out this morning when it pelted down half way around our walk. The weather folk got it right 😦
Looks like Autumn has hit at last!
Wonderful nature, inspiring place for a walk indeed… 🙂
Thanks, Drake! 🙂 Can’t keep away from those cliff tops! Not jumping though 🙂
Agree with you, they are fascinating… 🙂
I liked the pictures!
But not walking? 🙂 Many thanks for your company any way 🙂