Jo’s Monday walk : Calçadinha de São Brás de Alportel

Well, the sleigh’s empty and Santa’s gone. Nothing for it but to put on the walking shoes again. We’re in the area of the Algarve known as Barrocal. São Brás de Alportel is a charismatic little town surrounded by beautiful countryside, and we’ve come to see something of a curiosity. Calçadinha, the remnants of a Roman road, which once linked Ossonoba (Faro) with Bejá, to the north in the Alentejo.

Although you could in theory follow a trail to the Roman ruins of Milreu, on the edge of Estoi, it’s a 10km walk, and of course 10km back again. As you can see, some of it’s rough going, and we’d just had lunch in São Brás with a couple of friends. They were happy to follow us some of the way, but when the going gets tough… we turn back. Another day perhaps, because Milreu is well worth seeing.

The trail starts just behind the Bishop’s Palace in São Brás and leads you down a cobbled path, away from the town. This is signposted as Calçadinha A, and takes you beneath the E270 road to Loulé. Numerous times we’ve driven by without a thought, but today we are teetering along a path that Romans might have trod, in their sturdy sandals.

Yes, it is a bit of an ankle turner in places. I can feel some of you wincing. But if you take it slow and stop to examine the patterns in the stones… it really is a fascinating experience. Listen hard and you might hear the sound of chariot wheels.

And before you know it you’re in open countryside, and can retrace your steps… or carry on. But that’s more than enough exertion for the first week of the New Year, isn’t it? There must be a cake reward somewhere abouts!

It’s less than 2 km in distance and there is more information to be had on this link.

walking logo

Not many shares this week, but then, you’ve all been busy with Christmas. I hope to post a walk fortnightly, if I can fit one in between challenges. Join me on Jo’s Monday walk, any time you like.

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A few Christmas leftovers from Drake :

Ups and downs

And a treat or two from Tricia :

Hiking to Georgia’s Gergeti Trinity Church

While Rosemay left me kwite breathless 🙂

Happy New Year from Perth

Ending with some good advice from Denzil :

The benefits of a daily evening walk

Back to work for some, ‘normal’ life for others. However you spend it, make the most of your week.

108 comments

  7. Never mind hearing the chariot wheels, I can see the Romans marching up those lanes (but I hope they are not wearing fancy leather Roman sandals on those stones). What did they were on their marches? I’ve never seen an illustration. I think I shall need some new trainers if I’m to attempt that particular stretch of highway in the Algave. Lovely pix as usual.

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  10. Each of your pictures deserves an oh and an ah. But the empty Santa sleigh reminds me of how quickly we move on from the Christmas Season. We eagerly await it and enjoy it for weeks and weeks. Then when it’s over …… Been there. Done that. Pack up the decorations for next year.

    My husband celebrates Christmas on January 6th so will wait a day or two more. 😉

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    1. We always try to follow the 3 kings on the last day, Esther, but it’s doubtful if there’ll be any procession this year. Will whizz my tree down tomorrow evening. Still waiting for some cards to arrive 😦 😦

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  11. Love this Virtual walk, Jo! Listen hard and you might hear the sound of Legionnaires marching…. and they’re coming straight towards you!

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  13. Hi Jo, given the blend of history and nature along this route, this looks like just my perfect kind of walk. I’d never heard of the Roman ruins of Milreu before, but I’d love to see them the next time we visit Portugal. Some of the mosaic tile-work in the baths looks incredible.

    This summer, our refuge was the ancient Roman town of Salona, in Croatia. It was the perfect place for socially distanced walks, and it was incredible exploring the ruins several nights a week.

    A happy and healthy 2021 to you!

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  14. A beautiful and historical walk, Jo and I bet you could sense the history, literally beneath your feet! The scenery is captivating and I’m lifted to see blue sky … I seem to have forgotten its existence! As for the cake, it looks scrummy and so tempting! Off to get a couple of Digestives – a poor substitute! Happy start to the week, my friend! xx

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  18. That definitely looks like an ankle breaker! Glad you got back safely. I once used to live near to a Roman road, not cobbled. Enjoy your waterfall walk. 😊

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    1. A mishmash of a walk this morning, but it ended well. 15C for a short while and lovely blue skies. Went to a restaurant that was recommended to us afterwards and it was excellent. Raspberry and lemon cheesecake to die for and Mick was well pleased with warm apple pie and icecream. 🙂 🙂

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      1. Groan, you are just trying to make me jealous with your 15C (5C here), and open restaurants and CAKE! I’m going to have to stop following you.

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  19. Do you know we have never risked the ankles, it looks like it is worth it though. I’ll get the maps out and see if there is a way to create a shorter circuit!

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