About the route
Daily tours with a walking time between 3 and a maximum of 4.5 hours can easily be managed with a good basic fitness level. You will hike on gravel roads, hiking and forest trails, and partly over the beach. The route is largely flat through the unspoiled nature of the Algarve and its nature reserves.
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the tour.
Arrival at Faro and transfer to Tavira. This little coastal town has a very long and beautiful sandy beach to offer, the town centre is full of interesting buildings and is home of a fish market, which we highly recommend.
Enjoy a comfortable coastal hike that begins in the old village of Velha, leading you along forgotten paths to the ancient fishing village of Cabanas. Fishing activities are still bustling in the town, making it a great place to have lunch while witnessing the work at sea unfold before you. On the way back to Tavira, you'll pass by old salt mines where various bird species have now made their home.
Today’s tour takes you into a fertile village, which is well-known for the production of traditional ceramic tiles. You walk across small cultivation areas for various types of vegetables, olive-, carob-, almonds- and fig trees. Continue through lush lemon and orange groves, as well as along fragrant flowering meadows. If you wish, you can take a detour to the hidden waterfall Pego do Inferno before hiking back to Tavira.
This day is the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy Tavira and its surroundings. For example, you can climb up to the beautiful Santa Maria do Castelo church and visit the fortress with its wonderful flower garden. Enjoy the view of the whitewashed houses and explore the town's narrow streets and many beautiful chapels.
This idyllic hike takes you along the coast to the Spanish border. Over dunes, through pine forests, and along untouched beaches, you will hike to the mouth of the Guadiana River, which separates Portugal from Spain. The goal of the hike is the charming town of Vila Real de Santo António, which boasts an exciting cultural heritage and architecture. A peaceful train ride on the Linha do Algarve regional train will bring you back to the hotel.
To the west of Tavira lies the fishing village of Fuzeta, which is the starting point for your hike. You will walk along salt pans and through small villages with colorful houses and blooming orchards. Along the banks of the gently flowing Ria Formosa, you will continue along the edge of the lagoon through the nature park and eventually across large fields back to the old town of Tavira.
As a finale to your week of hiking along the Algarve, you'll explore Tavira Island. This island is home to the region's most beautiful sandy beaches and the extensive nature reserve of Ria Formosa. It's a pleasure to stroll along these beaches, collect seashells, and breathe in the sea air. After visiting the small fishing village of Santa Luzia, you'll cross the bridge over the lagoon to the island. Along the way, you'll pass by the "Cemetery of Anchors" and walk along the beach to the northern end of the island, where a boat will take you back to Tavira.
This tour is now over. During the morning you check out from the hotel. It is possible to book extra nights after the tour if you prefer.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 7 nights in a double room (single room is possible)
- Breakfast every day
- Transfers according to program
- The boat trip from Tavira Island and back
- Transfer from/to airport or train station Faro
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Half board (7x dinner)
- Transportation to/from Faro, Portugal
- Train back to Tavira after the walk on day 5 (4-5 eur)
- Tourist tax (if due)
- Handling fee (EUR 20)
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Faro are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 4-5 business days)
- You arrange your transportation
Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
Airport transfers
Upon arrival to Faro Airport or Faro train station you will be picked up and driven to the hotel.
On this tour, you stay at the same hotel for the entire week. You can read more about the hotel further up on this page.
Breakfast is included every day. It is also possible to purchase half-board on the trip, where all dinners are included at the hotel's restaurant. Half-board can be selected on the booking form, but there are many restaurants in the area, so you have plenty of opportunities to choose your own meals for the day.
This tour has difficulty grade 1.
Grade 1
Easy hikes that anyone with good health can do. Short hikes of 2-4 hours a day. The paths are in good conditions and mainly flat, and luggage is transported. Requires no special equipment.
Read more about our grading system here.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
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"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"