The Via Algarviana (GR13) runs for 300kms and is mainly mountainous. It begins in the east and ends in the west travelling through the Algarve region of Portugal. Starting at Alcoutim on the border with Spain, it finishes at the spectacular Cabo San Vicente, said to be the western-most tip of Europe, with America across the Atlantic Ocean. From there you can walk the Ruta San Vicente going north towards Lison, or eastwards along the coast towards Faro and Albufeira, if you would like to keep going! November 2019

The beautiful Algarve of Portugal (inland)

Route: Alcoutim, Balurcos, Furnazinhas, Vaqueiros, Cachopo, Barranco do Velho, Salir, Alte, Messines, Silves, Monchique (with a monastery), Monalete, Bensafrim, Vila do Bispo, Cabo de Sao Vicente. There are 14 stages.

Below are a selection of views of the countryside at the start of the walk, the east of the Portuguese Algarve. Official website Please note that the fires referred to on this page were in 2018 and people were walking the route in 2019.

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Mountains
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Trees and shrubs – in flower even at the end of the year

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2019 has been a very dry year
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Taken from the bus

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Near Silves on the Sao Bartolomeu de Messines road is the National Monument, the Cruz da Portugal.

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The Cruz da Portugal, one of the paintings which cover the electrical boxes by Hélder José (known as ‘Bamby’), and Filipe Gusmão, of Style Spectrum (#stylespectrum_unlocked)
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Mural, also by Hélder José (known as ‘Bamby’), and Filipe Gusmão, of Style Spectrum, which is positioned in front of the Municipal Library, Silves (#stylespectrum_unlocked)
The Roman Bridge at Silves
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Silves, taken from the Roman Bridge
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Silves at night – castle and cathedral all lit up
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Deep brown, fertile land, the hostel and the village of Silves
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River Ebro at Silves (which flows to Portimao, the port at the mouth of the riverwestwards)
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The Horta Grande Hostel, Silves – highly recommended (use booking.com)

The fortress and sea views from Cabo San Vicente (end of the route) below

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Fortress, Cabo Sao Vicente
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Enjoying the view!

Tracy Burton’s blog (English)

Harri Garrod Roberts Guide (English)

More information on Silves the castle, the museum, the fanous medieval festival etc (the parts I didn’t get to see because I had an ankle injury or was there at a different time of the year).

Algarve Blog

Published by tamsing

I walk and explore, make art and love to give and teach Shiatsu. tamsinlgrainger@gmail.com

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