Walking In The Algarve

This guidebook describes 33 walks in the beautiful Algarve in southern Portugal. Boasting good weather, easy access, stunning scenery and some great hiking trails, the region is a perfect destination for a walking holiday. It is best known for its spectacular coastline: the coastal trails presented here afford ample opportunity to admire the plunging sinkholes, striking sea-cliffs and rock-hugged beaches. However, the interior is every bit as beautiful and other walks explore the forested slopes of Monchique and the tranquil countryside between the mountains and coast. The routes range from 3.5 to 17km and cover the sun-kissed south coast, the rugged Vicentina Coast, the Monchique mountains and traditional villages of the eastern Algarve. Many can be accessed by public transport and details, along with tips on refreshment opportunities on route, are provided in the text. The route description is accompanied by clear mapping and notes on local points of interest. Showcasing the region's varied landscapes, highlights include Cabo de São Vicente, Europe's most southwesterly point; the Algarve's highest peak, Fóia (902m); historical sites; dramatic cliffs, arches and sea-stacks; and idyllic beaches. With information on the Algarve's history, plants and wildlife and advice on travel and potential bases, the guide is an ideal companion to exploring this captivating region.

This guidebook describes 33 walks in the beautiful Algarve in southern Portugal. Boasting good weather, easy access, stunning scenery and some great hiking trails, the region is a perfect destination for a walking holiday. It is best known for its spectacular coastline: the coastal trails presented here afford ample opportunity to admire the plunging sinkholes, striking sea-cliffs and rock-hugged beaches. However, the interior is every bit as beautiful and other walks explore the forested slopes of Monchique and the tranquil countryside between the mountains and coast. The routes range from 3.5 to 17km and cover the sun-kissed south coast, the rugged Vicentina Coast, the Monchique mountains and traditional villages of the eastern Algarve. Many can be accessed by public transport and details, along with tips on refreshment opportunities on route, are provided in the text. The route description is accompanied by clear mapping and notes on local points of interest. Showcasing the region's varied landscapes, highlights include Cabo de São Vicente, Europe's most southwesterly point; the Algarve's highest peak, Fóia (902m); historical sites; dramatic cliffs, arches and sea-stacks; and idyllic beaches. With information on the Algarve's history, plants and wildlife and advice on travel and potential bases, the guide is an ideal companion to exploring this captivating region.

This guide describes 40 graded walks, ranging from gentle family strolls to strenuous mountain hikes (including Portugal's highest peak Torre). The mainly circular routes range from 5 to 25km, and there are also two longer walks of 2 to 4 days duration. The walks are spread throughout Portugal, with a focus on the country's many natural and national parks, including Peneda-Geres, Serra da Estrela and Costa Vicentina. Clear route description is illustrated with 1:50,000 mapping and a route summary table makes it easy to choose the right walk. As well as practical travel advice, there is information on Portugal's geology, history, plants, wildlife and agriculture and on numerous local points of interest. From the rugged mountains of the north to the UNESCO-listed Rio Douro river valley, from traditional schist villages to the unique geology of the Algarve coast, the walks have been carefully selected to showcase some of the best Portugal has to offer. They take in granite peaks, wildflower meadows, woodland, waterfalls, castles, churches and archeological remains.

Is the Algarve a paradise for hikers? If you are travelling to the south-western corner of the European continent you will already have a clear idea of the landscape. Endless stretches of sandy beaches, clear blue sea, the magnificently shaped coastal cliffs with their yellow to reddish sandstone rocks. But the Algarve - an area of land blessed with a wonderful climate - does not only consist of coast, beaches and sea. A hinterland of hills risings up higher and higher to the north to almost 1000m, the rocky coastline on the Atlantic in the west and in the east the infrequently visited Sotavento all offer other gems to explore in this region situated at the edge of Europe. The 22 coastal walks in this guide follow safe paths along the whole of the southern coastline of the Algarve. From the south-western corner of Europe and the distant Sagres they go in easy stages past the spectacular cliffs of Barlavento to the east as far as the islands and the far sandy beaches in Sotavento on the other side of the metropolis of Faro. Another 29 walks incorporate the splendour of a little frequented hinterland of the Algarve. From the superb unspoilt western coast they go across a landscape of forest and barrage weirs in the hinterland of Lagos to the gorges and picturesque peaks of the Monchique mountain range. The rivers near to the ancient town of Silves offer just as delightful walks as does the hilly countryside around the white villages of Alte und Salir. And who would have expected waterfalls in the Algarve? The outstanding highpoint is the walk across the broad river meadows of the Guadiana that forms the border with Spain. This guide aims to give you the courage to make a trip into the unknown. It opens up, together with the beach area developed by tourism, a hugely diverse landscape both geologically and in respect to its vegetation. Only if you have hiked along the coast and into the hinterland can you truthfully say that you have indeed visited this varied region. The detailed route descriptions are preceded by up-to-date information in fact-file form. Small walking maps marked with the line of the route make route finding easier and numerous photos complete the picture.

A comprehensive guide to walking in the Portuguese Azores, an archipelago of nine lush green islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. The 70 routes cover the three island groups: the Eastern Group (São Miguel and Santa Maria), Central Group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial) and Western Group (Flores and Corvo). Routes range from hour-long strolls to full-day outings and most use the islands' network of official waymarked trails, including sections of the multi-day GR1. Also included is an ascent of Pico, the highest mountain on Portuguese territory. The guidebook gives lots of practical information on travel to the Azores and between the different islands, as well as getting around by public transport. Full route descriptions are accompanied by 1:50,000 map extracts, plus notes on refreshment opportunities and local points of interest. The routes promise verdant green landscapes and astounding volcanic landforms, taking in forests, rocky slopes, cliff coast and waterfalls as well as a rich built heritage including churches, forts, windmills and harbours. Whether you prefer a single-base trip or an island-hopping adventure, you'll find stunning scenery at every turn. The mild climate makes this an ideal destination for year-round walking.

This new edition has 12 large-scale walking maps, 4 car tours and 68 long and short walks. It contains many route modifications for both the walker and the motorist. So many EU-funded roads have been constructed in recent years that many of the walks in the original edition can no longer be done.